Northampton (3) - Grey of Ruthin

The first Lancastrian leader and I've taken the liberty of a bit of a shortcut.

For the Salute game I'd managed to get a small unit done for Grey (who by 1471 was earl of Kent and an established Yorkist courtier), see the 9 April blog entry, so I've re-used those men-at-arms with Grey's standard and added the mounted figures on a separate 50mm square base.

Lord Grey of Ruthin's treachoury against Henry VI seems to be the main reason that the battle lasted no more than 30 minutes, as he and his retainers lay down their arms, in a pre-arranged agreement with Warwick according to 'An English Chronicle' (although other accounts say that fighting lasted 3 hours before Grey switched sides).

I've used the Perry's Wenlock figure as Grey, contemplating at what point to turncoat his affinity, whilst his page (bearing his livery badge of a black staff) holds his armet.

Had a bit of a struggle with the matt varnish on these. For some reason the acrylic varnish I've used upto now dried too satin, and then a coat of Humbrol matt varnish (which i think I've had knocking around too long) came out even glossier, and so had to resort to the trusty Matt Cote for the cloths on the mounted figures...hey ho.

Northampton (2) - Fauconberg

The next Yorkist command stand, William Neville lord Fauconberg, who commanded the right battle. He was nephew of the earl of Warwick and had a colourful political and military career during the wars of the roses. After the battle he was rewarded with the post of lieutenant of Calais, a notorious Neville stronghold and after fighting at Towton he became earl of Kent in 1462. It was Fauconberg who oppossed Ruthin at Northampton and whose troops appear to have been the first to break into the Lancastrian defended encampment follwing Ruthin's change of alliegence.

The figures are Perrys - metal mounted characters and plastic billmen - the latter straight from the box with the exception of the billmen urging men forward on the right side. All done with dip. I've not added the Fauconberg livery badge of the fishhook (as the rest of the contingent won't have it either as they've been pressed into service as Nevilles due to their generic blue and white livery coats). Flag is LBMS.

Off to procure the abbey buildings from Grand Manner at Partizan show tomorrow.

Northampton (1) - Warwick

Ok this blog is back in business. I had an enforced lay-off following Salute, due to a minor eye op, but all OK now; just needing to do short bursts of painting activity, rather than long sessions working close-up.

Next target is the game to support the Battlefield Trust event in July for the battle of Northampton. I’m focussing first on bases for the main leaders – six 100 x 50mm size – and some bespoke terrain items that are required; the abbey and walling, Eleanor Cross and the Lancastrian field defences and encampment.

First up, Richard Neville earl of Warwick. No mini-biog really required for the so-called ‘kingmaker’. At Northampton he appears to have led the Yorkist vanward battle (on the left of the line). Although the leaders would have undoubtedly fought on foot at the battle, the Perry personality figures are too appealling to ignore and so my plan is to have each leader and flagbearer mounted, acompanied by retainers/household on foot – it’ll also make it easier to show the main protaganists on the table.

All figures have been dipped for speed, except for Warwick’s horse, as I don’t find that dip works on large areas of white, it just comes out looking dirty. Flag is LBMS and the spare flagpole will have Warwick’s standard added (when i purchase one from Freezywater). The man-at-arms on Warwick’s left is the Perry Salute 'freebie' figure, with crown removed from his raised hand; a lovely figure and I’m looking forward to the other forthcoming command packs.

Salute contingent (IV) - tents etc

The last bits and bobs for the Salute Tewkesbury game, finished just in the nick of time.
Tents and related hangers-on will be lurking at the back somewhere, probably behind the Lancastrian army as they appear to have been encamped nearer the battlefield. The tents are from Steve Barber Models, with guide-ropes added from florist wire, on 'Warbases' circular mdf bases which Martin delivered in very short time (thanks!). The latin religous motto was spotted at recent trip to Warwick Castle on a re-enactor's tent and adapted here in a simpler form. The smaller ridge tent is from Valdermar Miniatures, from Denmark (I think), makers of some very interesting metal and resin medieval figures in 1/72nd scale. So although this is effectively 20mm, it seems to work OK for these figures as a more modest tent; some personal possessions (bedrolls, chest, etc) will be added inside one day.
The figures are Foundry, with exception of the Mark Copplestone-designed man at arms (a 'Wargames Illustrated' subs giveaway of a couple of years ago) and baggage items are a mix, inc Foundry and Front Rank.
Flagbearer is another Perry plastic converted bowman, holding LBMS English royal arms.

Pics taken with new camera, with flash and artificial light, can you tell any difference yet?

Next stop, ExCel....

Salute contingent (III) - Edward IV

The last contingent for the ‘Salute’ game - bills and bows for Edward IV. The murrey colour has been mixed (equal parts of mid red and mid blue, with some GW Elf Flesh added), dipped and then highlighted again with more flesh added to lighten. As there’s no actual evidence for what colour murrey was, so think I’m on firm ground here... but feel free to comment! Edward’s ‘rose in splendour’ badge was then painted on some livery coats. Figures are all Perry plastics – I'm still trying to find some combinations of poses that don’t repeat any I’ve done before. The flags are from the Perry’s Towton sheet that comes with the boxed plastics.

Now just trying to finish off a couple of tents and related encampment bits for the game...

Salute contingent (II) - Earl of Devon

Second complete unit; this time full strength (ie 2 50mm square bases of men at arms and 4 of bows) and depicting the earl of Devon, who commanded the Lancastrian left wing. For more info on the earl, see an earlier blog.

Perry plastics using more dip and highlight approach, this time with acrylic matt varnish. Not too bad when viewed en masse and at a discrete distance. Flags from Freezywater sheet.

I had planned to add waterslide decals and had some made up, but regretably the detail at this size becomes very indistinct and the decals are too brittle to apply without some element of damage (or they are with my clumsy fingers anyway), so had to revert to some rapidly handpainted white boar livery badges.

Next up, last Salute contingent for Edward IV.

Salute contingent (I) - Lord Grey

This is effectively a half-sized contingent for the Perry’s Salute game, to bulk up a Yorkist 'battle'. Lord Grey was a key Lancastrian protanganist at the battle of Northampton, who’s defection appears to have been the catalyst for the Yorkist victory. At Tewkesbury he was fighting for Edward IV, having been made earl of Kent by the new king. These figures will be increased in size later on, to form one of the wings for my Northampton game.
The figures have been blocked and dipped, with minimal highlighting on these as done at double-quick time. The dip was then matt varnished with Humbrol ‘Matt Cote’ (except for the plate and mail). This varnish has killed the gloss dip, but also has killed nearly all the depth and subtley that the dip creates! So different varnish on the next batch. Ready very soon.
Oh and I forgot to reveal the make of the artillery piece, of a couple of blogs ago... I know you've all been waiting patiently, breath abated! Well Kelly, the designer himself, got it right! It’s a casting from Empire Miniatures of Australia, now sadly OOP it appears.