My thoughts are turning to planning the build of a Swiss Confederation army, to oppose my Burgundians. My primary visual sources for getting a contemporary 'look and feel' are the illustrated chronicles complied during and just after the wars by the cities of Berne and Zurich - to record their civic history, defiance against Charles the Bold and military victories.
Whereas I used to scour publications to find relatively rare images from these chronicles, several complete volumes are now online and I've started to click through the pages for useful references - of which there are plenty. One of these showed an image of a rather panicked Burgundian man at arms being attacked by a Swiss halbardier (Berne Amitliche Chronicle, volume 3 folio 727). So I thought I'd start off my Swiss additions with a version of this.
The horse and rider are from Perry's mounted men at arms, the only major change was to use a horse head from their ACW cavalry box, to provide a bit more movement as it's reins are grabbed by the assailant. The Swiss soldier is a plastic body from WotR box with arms selected from the Agincourt French Infantry sprue and a Swiss metal head. The joins have been covered with green stuff, to represent a coat, rather than the livery vest that's designed on the plastic body (which the Swiss don't appear to have worn), although I've not added a breastplate which the image seems to show. Like the illustration, a discarded lance and halbard will lie on the ground.
Now on to the painting stage.
That's an interesting build and ingenious use of various component parts. Glad you've opted for a slightly less perturbed man at arms too. I wonder if a second assailant could be an interesting addition?
ReplyDeleteGood point, I'd also considered the inclusion of a second Swiss chap too. Will paint these up and then decide pre basing...
DeleteChap with a halberd perhaps?
DeleteDefinitely an interesting wee project. Look forward to the results of the painting stage :-)
ReplyDeleteVery nice, like the startled horse in particular, very dynamic yet natural posing.
ReplyDeleteReally nice superb but,what set did you use to make the right arm with the Baselard of that swiss? its really nice
ReplyDeleteJuan. The arms are both from the French Agincourt Infantry box. Not a Swiss baselard sword however, just a standard one.
Deletedamn i thought it was a baselard the handle of the sword its very similar,but great job,I have been making perry miniatures set in the 15th c because Im a big fan of the duchy of burgundy too Im working on a burgundian handgonner,with grey stuff Ill show you it by mail if you want
DeleteJuan - I am always interested to see other's collections! Please email me at simon.chick@tesco.net
Deletedone,by the way Simon,do you know what happened in that chronicle img? its like that swiss told the burgundian "ey,you,yes you,what about if you came closer i want to talk you about something..."
DeleteAmazing work, i love your miniature's diorama.
ReplyDeleteLovely work as always, looking forward to the Swiss.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain