English Knights for Hundred Years War

Quick post up of the last of my HYW figs before I hit the road. These are Perry metals from their Agincourt line. Did I mention that Perrys come in small black boxes, with the figures swathed in cotton?  No? Unpacking them felt a bit elegant so I did it with my pinkies raised.  Seriously thought, it's a nice touch that sets them apart from the crowd.

The heraldry was sourced from the Joan of Arc's Companion in Arms website.  In this round, I cut the AP dip with mineral spirits to keep the knights a step brighter than the foot levy.

Two historical bits for you.  As a huge fan of ancient history, and Roman history in particular, I was fascinated to discover that Vegetius' De Re Militari and Frontinus' Strategemata (Roman classics on military strategy and tactics) were widely read and discussed by knights during the HYW.

Also, men-at-arms fought on foot as often as on horseback. Sometimes, it was due to the loss of a mount but often it was a tactical choice. English armies were generally horsed during the HYW but as a tactical choice, knights and men-at-arms generally dismounted for battle.  

The fellow I'm painting HYW for is a hardcore medieval reenactor.  In a meetup in France this year, three fellows were knocked out cold and had to be revived with smelling salts.  Even a metal helmet can't save you from a hard knock upside the head! Helms off to the crazy fellows entertaining the crowds here.  

Two peas in a pod - Pavisiers and Crossbows

My Hundred Years War commission is moving along!  First up are 12 French pavisiers.  A pavisier is a spearman carrying a large convex shield called (surprise!) a pavise.  These fellows were a feudal militia raised by a French nobleman, city or place.  The heraldry on the shields reflects they were raised in the cities of Paris, Lyon and Soissons. Crossbowmen typically operated behind the protection of the pavisiers, with the large shields providing them cover during the long reloads.  

These are Perry metals paired with the superb LBMS transfers.  They're done in a dark and dirty style befitting their low position in life.  I brought the red and blue shield colors into the livery on some figures to tie the unit together just a bit.

Pity the poor French crossbowmen.  These fellows suffered in head-to-head matchups with the English longbowmen.  Crossbows had a rate of fire of 1–2 shots per minute while the longbow could manage 5-6 or arrows in the same time with superior range. Insult to injury, crossbowmen were also known to suffer at the hands of their own side.  At Courtrai and Crecy, French knights rode down their crossbowmen, first because they feared they'd take all of the glory and in the second instance because the crossbowmen performed poorly. Able to kill the greatest knight with a single bolt, crossbowmen could expect no mercy if they fell into enemy hands.  

These Perrys were painted and dipped to be dark and dirty.  That just might describe their tenuous existence on the battlefield!  

I've got a stack of knights to finish out the HYW commission and then its back to Saga painting. We're hitting 90 degrees lately, turning my painting room into a painting sauna.  If you pop by for a visit, knock before entering as I'm likely stripped down to my skivvies. I might need to put up a sign that says "No shoes, shirt, pants...No Problem!"

Loads of HYW knights

Loads = 27 French knights for a HYW Agincourt commission. This was my first crack at Perry Miniatures and I can't say enough good things about them. The knights and their mounts come in a great variety of poses and kit. The sculpting is tops, with flourishes like bits of chainmail peeking out from the bottom of tunics.

For colors, inspiration and heraldry, I relied on a great French website found  here.  I'm painting to match an existing army so these were done with wetbrushed armor.

Pre-shade

Post-shade

And a batch of Kingmaker knights to round out the French.  I wonder if these fellows know what they'll be up against at Agincourt?

I've got English knights up next and then a Jomsviking warband for SAGA.

Things are going to get crazy busy with hosting my son's graduation party, a trip to Milwaukee for a wedding, and then my sister and her family travelling from Turkey to stay with us. I'm going to put my paintbrush down and my feet up for a bit. Summertime is truly the best!