Longbowmen preview

Here's some longbowmen, including a couple of banner bearers, that have just been painted for me by Rafa at Archiduke Painting Services, who provided me with the photos. They are the Perry metal and plastic castings that I fiddled around with to create some different poses on a previous blog posting. Rafa's done a quite brilliant painting job on them; the detail and the tones look fantastic. I will soon have enough to base and complete two more longbowmen contingents, which I'm planning to be able to do next month - I'll post them up (of course).

"A Chalons! A Bourgoyne!"

A contingent representing Louis Lord Chalons, seigneur of Chateau Guyon, leading his enthusiastic household and retinue of Burgundian dismounted men at arms. Chalons was from the Franche-Comte region and was made a knight of the Golden Fleece in 1468. He commanded the left wing at the battle of Grandson in February 1476, where he was killed. According to an account he was leading an attack to capture the banner of Schwyz canton, but it may have been that he died in the rout of Charles's army at the battle.

The format for the unit has been inspired by Dave Andrews beautiful command stand of Edward IV at the Perrys Tewkesbury game at the Salute show of 2010. It comprises of three bases, all 60mm frontage, but with the middle one for the mounted figures having an 80mm depth to enable it to be used with mounted units when these are done. The mounted figures are Perry WotR range, whist the 'wings' are a mix of Perry plastics and metals from the WotR & EA ranges. Some figures have been slightly enhanced; with the addition of plumes, scarves, a couple of weapon changes and re-positioning of arms, to create a coherent group focussed on their lord as they advance towards the enemy. The flags are all free downloads.

I'm pleased with the overall layout, given the extra time that I've had to put in. On to a more mundane Ordonnance pike bloc next - 36 figures planned so I'll need to speed up the painting process somewhat! Hopefully will get the rear-rankers done in the next few weeks.

Ordonnance Crossbowmen

Either side of my castles sojourn, I started and completed my first Burgundian crossbow unit. My initial plan of a pavise bearing contingent has been put on hold, as I want to see if any future metals could be utilised to create a few more different poses. These are plastics and metals fom Perry range, with some conversions which have been posted earlier. It is likely that the Burgundians did not spilt out troops armed with crossbows and handguns into distinct units and they were most probably mixed on the battlefield as 'sleeves' of shot. However wargame rules have a different approach and so I've fallen into line to be able to use Impetus rules (and others). However I could easily swop in a handgun base for better visual appeal.

More Burgundians in progress on the painting table...

Gruyeres - IV

A final post from my trip. These are images of the medieval castle and walls of the hilltop town. The walls are not complete and do not now encircle the whole town, but there are substantial pieces intact, which include gateways. All the walls are rendered and have protected, covered walkways. All the walls are rendered and the roofs are wooden shingles in the main, which I assume replicates the methods used in the medieval period.

Also, within the castle are a few pieces of armour, from sixteenth century and a couple of vestments, worn by clergy, and dating from the 1470s as part of the booty captured from Charles the Bold. The intricate sewing of Burgundian herladic imagery is impressive and the state of preservation is remarkable given their age. Now how do I paint that on a 28mm figure?!!

Normal service and miniature figures will resume soon...!