These boots are made for walking (and riding)

I'm back tinkering with a new unit for my Burgundian Ordonnance army.

This came about from reading some of the Ordinances of Charles the Bold again. I realised that in relation to the proportion of troop types raised, via the lance system,  I'm currently a little light on the total number of units of longbowmen. There were 3 longbowmen for every crossbowman or handgun and I have about equal proportions. Also many longbowmen were classified as 'mounted' in the Ordinances. This I am sure refers to their capability to ride alongside mounted men at arms on campaign, with all fighting done on foot.

Closer observation of the troops by the 'Master WA '(or 'Master W with a key') which is usually assumed to show Burgundians, clearly depicts all the archers wearing long riding boots, suggesting mounted troops. Riding boots were stipulated in the Ordinances of Charles the Bold for the mounted longbowmen - "Knee length boots should be worn with short spurs and without piked toes, in order to let him walk freely".  So an additional unit of liveried bowmen wearing riding boots it is then.

I used the Perry Miniatures metal bowmen for most of them. I've used these figures already for my ducal bodyguard, but as they had been modified with plumes etc and wore different colour scheme on their jackets, I thought they'd be sufficiently different.

I removed the cast-on shoes and then used knedatite to firstly add the turned-over tops of the boots, then the extra leather which allows the wearer to put the boots on and which is then pulled tight and held down by straps and buckles. (I added the straps but cannot attempt to sculpt buckles!!) A couple of figures have boots which are rolled down further from the knees. I also beheaded the figures wearing a soft hat and replaced with helmets for some extra variety.

On some plastics I added arms with the covered the bows and arrow bags, from the Perry WotR Light Cavalry and Agincourt Knights boxes. I've selected figures to denote a captain and flag bearer, which are work in progress right now.

So they're almost ready for painting and I will need to select a suitable new Ordonnnace flag. Will post them up when done.

Cheerio for now,
Simon.

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