Update

Blogger is working intermittently currently so l am posting when I can. Recently l have been caught up in a detailed look at renaissance Irish warfare throughout the two Helion books l posted pictures of below. I have found the Irish fascinating ever since I read of them first in the book “ Renaissance Armies “ by George Gush. My interest continued through “ Elizabeth’s Irish wars “ and the obligatory Osprey book. However these Helion books have taken my interest to a new level and are filed with the “ nuts and bolts” of Irish warfare. One thing that fascinated me was some details inspired by one of my favourite paintings -

The above is a photo l took of it in the gallery in London a few years ago. It is of an English Captain of Kern. You can read a bit about the painting below-

https://www.tate.org.uk/about-us/projects/tudor-stuart-technical-research/entries/portrait-captain-thomas-lee-1594

It always reminded me of the French soldier in Canada who led his First Nation allies stripped to the waist    etcin imitation/ solidarity of them. I always imagined the renaissance portrait was a conceit but recent reading suggests English captains leading allied kern stripped off their renaissance finery and dressed like their troops. Definitely a conversion opportunity. Now all I need is to find a head like the above painting and we are away…

Do read these books if you are interested in the period at all, they are fascinating, filled with new information and perspectives. Highly recommended 

So the plan today is to clear my permanent table and set up a game using the above figures who have to be found a box as part of the process. Then to set up some games, try and write simple rules with period flavour and fight them with a slightly better idea of what things were like . Things like gallowglass throwing their javelins at the start of the battle before getting stuck in with their axes.

Finally found the Osprey and articles l collected on the Tlingit the last time l considered buying some. It didn’t happen then but I am hoping to buy some of the forthcoming Eureka figures. My plan was to paint what l had only currently but l will make an exception for these. They are released in March.

Deep dive

 

Working again

 Blogger seems to be working a bit this morning so taking the chance to try and post some pictures of last Thursday’s game where my Ordonnance French took on the Swiss Confederation. 

Fighting in the village. Photos not in order but at least here.

French cannon and archers attempt to halt the oncoming pike block…

French knights make for the Swiss arrayed by their baggage train.

Close ups of the French attempts to halt the Swiss advancing down the road…

Close up of the French feudal knights ( subject to uncontrollable advance if not kept in check ) being allowed to charge forward towards the enemy…

The relentless advance of the grim men from the cantons…

A smaii group of Ordonnance archers make a stand in the streets. 

A larger group of Franc Archers waiting patiently as their targets come into view…

View that the French Commanders had at the start of the game. Those Swiss pike blocks are larger than than expected! Relentless as they move forward…

Swiss skirting round the built up area as well as through it. Unstoppable? We shall see…

Start of game from behind the French left wing of battle. Hope to finish this game on Friday at my regular opponents place . As ever he has set up a lovely gaming environment.

Well let’s hope B is fixed and I can continue to post…

Win

 Go Seahawks, congratulations!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Issues

 Morning all, just to say I can’t seem to upload photos here currently. Issue seems to be with my google account and or blogger. Just wanted to let folks know in case they wonder why l am not posting…

What becomes of the brokenhearted, sorry toy soldiers

 Found some broken Irish figures in the box today and decided to work on them -

Here they are on the workbench. I settled upon the idea to base them as figures wading through or drowning in some horrendous Irish bog. Here they are wading not drowning ( apologies Stevie Smith) ready for the table top-

All in all pleased with the effect and will utilise also in river crossing or in the sea coming onto the land.

Off the painting desk - Shipwrecked!

 The Spanish Armada has been defeated! The Spanish have been vanquished!

The ships make for home but it is a long, long way.

One such ship was the San Pedro Menor .She made it all the way to Ireland but ran aground on the rocks in a tremendous storm-

Most of the crew went down with the ship but some made it to land . Exhausted, traumatised they regrouped and made for the interior of this unknown country-

The small band of survivors was led by Don Estrella, veteran of many campaigns. His wife Dona Verano and their chaplain Padre Marron , a wild unkempt  priest with a predilection for solving mysteries.

Through bog after bog they trudged, exhausted, looking for shelter.

Scouts were sent up hill and mountain , encountering no one on their way.

The banner had been torn from the ship and brought with them.

What will happen to these strangers in a strange land, only time will tell.

To be continued ..

Hopefully this will be the start of some linked games and scenarios over the coming weeks.