Burgundian Men at Arms (V)

The Burgundian men at arms are based and completed.

This post is largely just images of the finished contingent. The hounds, which are in danger of becoming ubiquitous on all pieces I do from now on, have joined the charge towards enemy lines. I'm not entirely happy with the commander figure, not sure why, so he maybe prised off his mount and replaced on day.

Last picture is a man at arms originally planned to lead this group, but who failed to make the 'director's cut'. He's still a work in progress, but now proposed to join figures representing the Bastard of Burgundy's household. The reason for this change was a talk by Toby Capwell, of the Wallace Collection, that I was lucky to attend a few weeks ago. He's certain that fully gilded armour was rare (due to it's expense) and so restricted to kings and the richest of noblemen - hence the change. I plan to start prep on that group over the winter.

Burgundian Men at Arms (V) - WIP

This is my last planned unit of mounted men at arms for the Burgundians - aside from one for the Bastard of Burgundy, which will represent a command group. These figures are now pretty much finished and will be based in groups of three, with 60mm base frontage, as per the rest of my figures.

All are Perry plastics - most have had some additional work done on either the men at arms or their mounts - the addition of plumes, St Andrews crosses, horse tack, etc.  A few helms from the latest Perry Foot Knights have been attached to these too. Many of these were started several months back and the preparation fo these has taken longer than applying the paint, I reckon. The figures wearing tabards represent Troylo di Rosano, an Italian captain contracted by the duke who was present in the Morat campaign and battle. The other is Hugues de Thoisy who was one of the chamberlain in the duke's household and who may have been at Morat. The flag is a download from the internet and shows  the banner of the 11th Company, with the image of St Margaret.

The pics have been taken on my desk and a lot of the highlights tones, most notably on the reds, are not showing up on these photos. These should all have the base work completed later this week and I'll try to use whatever natural light there maybe next weekend to take some shots of the finished unit. Like all of the other men at arms, I will be adding a supporting row of mounted coustillers and more flag bearers to fully complete the units of Ordonnance men at arms, when the next Perry 'Light Cavalry' plastics are available.

Charles the Bold - take 2.

Oliver of Steel Fist Miniatures has sent me the second figure he's sculpted for me for Charles the Bold, based on Perry plastic man at arms parts. Oliver's sculpting skills are of the highest level and he continues to exceed my expectations - creating a command figure, based on Charles wearing a german style harness over a brigandine and wearing his hat of pearls (looted by the Bernese at Morat and included in Schillings illustrated chronicles after the wars).

The pose is exactly as I wanted and the rendering of the hat has caught the shape just right - the reconstructed version is on display at Grandson castle in Switzerland. I now need to sort out a mounts and some household companions for Charles to create a command stand - this will be more of a vignette, as I already have a base of Charles for gaming purposes. Am really looking forward to painting them and trying to do Oliver's craftsmanship justice. More of that anon.

No more progress on the captain's pavilion to date; I have had change of plans re the construction. I'm trying to be a little more ambitious with the final model (with assistance in making some bespoke parts) and hope to be able to show next developments fairly soon. In the meantime I have been painting horse flesh for another contingent of Burgundian men at arms, which I need to push on with to finish. Oh, and then there's those foot knight vignettes I've started to assemble - too many fronts opening up and nothing getting done....must focus!