Saturday, March 16, 2019

Oliver Cromwell's "Ironsides"


Surely there can be few more famous regiments of Horse from the English Civil War than Cromwell (later Fairfax's) "Ironsides". From a troop at Edgehill it grew to a double sized regiment and more over time. 


They are known to have worn red coats. I have used Orange/Tawney sashes for the officers etc, although white sashes may have been more likely, especially later in the ECW.


The "coronet" carried by this unity is that of Captain Robert Swallow's troop. The inscription reads "Ascendia Cura Sionis" (? possibly "Incendia") - "Burning with the Care of Zion."


From 1642 to 1645 the regiment saw extensive action, including the battles of Grantham, Gainsborough, Winceby, Marston Moor, and 2nd Newbury.


I didn't mirror image this flag due to the effect upon the text. 

27 comments:

  1. Love the flag and more super figures

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  2. Beautifully done! I very much like Old Glory's ECW range.

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    1. Thanks. They are quite nice, and the price in the US is unbeatable. I see more infantry being added by the end of the year!

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  3. Thanks, Gary! I liked this flag, too!There are actually at least 4 known flags for various troops, but I thought this one the most interesting.

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  4. Great looking Roundheads! I always liked the look of their stripped sleeves!

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    1. Thanks, Dean. I may need some more "Stripey sleeves" Roundheads.

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  5. Another fine regiment of horse, Peter! Super flag!

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    1. Thanks, Jon. As you know, the ECW cavalry flags are kind of fun - usually a mix of religious motifs for the Roundheads, allegory, political cartoon, and downright insults!

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  6. A handsome looking bunch mate. When will we see them in action?

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    1. You will all shortly get sick of seeing my version of Simon's The (in)famous battle of Soggy Bottom. I have it set out on the table now, just awaiting some additional command stands and other extras. Barry and John are coming over 2 weeks hence for the first running, and then I will be running it at HAVOC in Shrewsbury, MA the following week, and then twice at Historicon in July.

      After that, I am very eager to set up my own ECW "campaign" with FK&P. I can already see where the various elements of those rules (Raw, Seasoned, and Veteran units, "Untried" status, Officer characters, added extras like attached shot and/or attached light guns, Clubmen), and maybe even Scottish intervention (Parliament), Irish Musketeers (Montrose), and/or French/Spanish intervention *Royalist") and so on might factor in!

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    2. Wow! Lots for we readers to look forward to there!

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  7. They look great, Peter. Like you, I have a soft spot for Old Glory. This may be their best range.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words, Scott. I would agree, these ECW figures and also the Renaissance ranges are among Old Glory's best. There will likely be some more additions in l;ate 2019/early 2020 when I can buy en mass to maximize the discount!

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    1. You are too generous, Sir, but I am happy with how they came out regardless! :-)

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  9. As you say, one of the most iconic regiments of the period. I’m looking forward to your AAR of Soggy Bottom. How do you think For King and Parliament would work for Easterm European battles?

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    1. I suppose I should send Simon an email to ask if he is planning any supplements for that arena.

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    2. Simon does have a TYW, etc set in mind for the long haul. To my mind, TYW is significantly different - Lancers, light infantry and Light Cavalry play roles not really quite handled by FK&P, although modifying it for those wouldn't be too difficult.

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  10. Great looking Ironsides! I like the retro striped sleeves!
    Best Iain

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    1. The stripes fit well with the Roundhead gear!

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  11. I don't know Peter, I 'turn by back' for a month or so and you churn out half a dozen or more beautiful units for the ECW! They all, as with these, look great!

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    1. I have a game to run in a few weeks, James! :-)

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  12. Looking forward to seeing them in a game in the future.

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