Bombards and Archers and Crossbowmen, oh my!

 

Sort of a potpourri post of Late Medieval Odds and ends! 

These "Crusdaer" era bowmen and Knight were given to me a number of years ago.

They were drafted for possible emergency use with the WoTR/HYW project. I believe they date back to our time at UConn together circa 1974, and were probably painted by Steve Gallagher. 

Some of Bill's Crossbowmwn, accompanied by a spare stand of Billmen. 

Judging by the broad noses, the Crossbows are Essex!

The guys in Blue and Purple look vaguely Japanese?

Yep, potpourri!

2 more stands of skirmish Crossbows. 

Definitely Essex!

I like the individual crossbow casts. 

More colorful from behind!

This medieval Bombard casting had been in the lead pile for about 20 years.

Essex, I believe?

Just painted last month; crew are recycled from an earlier post; need to get more! 

 

Bill's Spearmen and Organ Guns

Bills' Late Medieval collection included these figures.

They required moderate repairs, refurbishment and rebasing

They could be spearmen or Pikemen as need be. 

They would probably work as Flemish mercenaries or similar. 

There were enough figures for a second unit in this marching pose..

 or for one double sized unit!

Alloy pikes and spears are always a challenge!

These required as much straightening as I dared without risking breakage!

There were also these wonderful Organ guns,

but only 2 crew figures. 

Who makes artillery crew figures in 25/28 mm suitable for the Late Medieval era? 

I do love these odd contraptions, which were probably mostly used when defending a breach or prepared position subject to assault. 

Wars of the Roses - Command stands and flags

 

Here is the first pair of command bases for my Wars of the Roses forces.

The base on the left bears the standard of King Edward IV. Edward managed to be King of England not just once, but twice; from 1461 to 1470, and again from 1471 to 1483.

The other base bears banners and flags of Lord Clifford.

The figures on the Edward base are one each old Glory and one of Bill's Medieval figures; both Clifford figures are Perry from their Hundred Years Wars range, as are the remainder of the figures in this post.

The base to the left  is that of Lord Percy, Earl of Nothumberland.

 

To the right are the flags of William Neville, Baron Fauconberg and 1st Earl of Kent. He was arguably the best commander of the Wars of the Roses. The magnificent banners are by Pete's flags

I have made no effort to tie the colors to the liveries in any way, except where convenient to do so! :-)

The base to the left is for John Audley.

The main figure colors are reflected in the flowers on their bases as well.

The base to the right bears the banner of Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset

Not having any blue blowers, he has to make due with lilac hues! His banner bears a Yale upon it, a mythical beast that will be familiar to readers of Bernard Conwell's "Archer" series. 

The bzse to the left bears the banner of "The Kingmaker", the Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville. 

Opinions of Warwick vary, but there is no denying his power and influence during this era. He was defeated and killed at the battle of Barnet in 1471.

The other base bears the banner of King Richard III.

The white board was a famous badge of King Richard. 

Flags added to some units who had been awaiting them.

And few more!  This completes the Wars of the Roses project... at least for now!

Wars of the Roses: Household Troops of Sir John Digby

These fine lads are the Household of Sir John Digby of Eye-Kettleby.

Bosworth (T). Stoke Field (T).

These are once again Perry HYW troops, and are dressed in his livery of blue (Azure). 

He and his men fought at Bosworth and Stoke Field, for the Tudor cause. 

Bosworth (T). Stoke Field (T).

He was knighted by King Henry VIII for his services at Bosworth. 

Henry also appointed him Knight Marshal of the King's Household. 

An assortment of WotR banners and flags has arrived courtesy of  Pete's Flags; let the flagging begin, and continue until morale improves!

Wars of the Roses: Household troops of Sir Thomas Fitzalan

 

These chaps are obviously part of the Garrison of Castle Black.

	Sir Thomas Fitzalan of Arundel, Lord Maltravers

Oh wait, A Game of Thrones was inspired by the Wars of the Roses, not the other way around... right? 

These figures are actually supposed to be the Household troops if Sir Thomas Fitzalan of Arundel, 

Lord Maltravers  

His livery was indeed plain black. Sir Thomas supported the Yorkist cause. 

These figures are actually Perry Metals Hundred Years Wars figures. That project never really went too far, so they are being incorporated into the WotR forces. With the HYW ending in 1453, 

and the  WoTR starting in 1455, there's little reason that they can't fight as HYW troops as well!

Fitzalan's men fought at  Second St Albans,. Towton, Barnet, and Tewkesbury.