28mm - Wars of the Roses - Command Stands - Sir John Wenlock, 1st Baron Wenlock

 

Here we have Sir John Wenlock, one of the more famous personalities of the Wars of the Roses.  Of an era with some pretty colourful characters, Sir John Wenlock combined many talents, particularly as a diplomat in which he appears to have been highly regarded.  He is best remembered by history for being a Turncoat, however!  

In a series of wars which have become known for widespread treachery and allegiance shifting, Wenlock has been noted by history of being the greatest of them all.

Wenlock first of all fought on the Lancastrian side and was at St Albans in 1455 on the side of the defeated King Henry VI.  

Being enticed to change sides by the Earl of Warwick, Wenlock then fought for the Yorkists at the Battle of Blore Heath in 1459.

Wenlock also fought for the Yorkists at the Battles of Mortimer's Cross, Second St Albans and Towton (all in 1461).

Warwick defected to the Lancastrian cause and Wenlock followed.  Sir John Wenlock then fought on the Lancastrian side at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, where he was killed.

There is some speculation that Wenlock was killed on the battlefield by his ally (and old enemy) the Duke of Somerset for failing to support Somerset's attack.  Sources are minimal for this though with none contemporary to the actual battle.   It is more likely that Wenlock was killed during the rout.

Up to that point Wenlock had been a survivor, having been in 6 battles and 2 sieges and mostly being on the winning side each time (and prior to Tewkesbury, somehow keeping his head on his shoulders when on the losing side).  He was around 70 when he died, which made him remarkably long lived by the standards of the time.

So that's the history!  The figures are by Perry Miniatures (and one or two from Foundry). The Wenlock figure is the Baron Fauconberg figure in the Yorkist Command set which I have painted in the heraldry of Lord Wenlock. I already have a Baron Fauconberg which I painted around 25 years ago from a Foundry figure.  The flags are by the magnificent 'Pete's Flags' available via eBay UK.  

I have painted several command stands in the last month, which I did as a nice change from Napoleonics, and also because of a couple of cracking Wars of the Roses games with Ian.  Nothing helps painting enthusiasm more than playing!    The more detailed painted heraldry was probably more testing than any Napoleonic uniform...anyway more of that to follow! 

Napoleonic Perry Miniatures - British Infantry - 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot

 

Here we have a Battalion of the 29th Regiment of Foot who famously fought at the Battle of Albuera. This Battalion fought in Hoghton's Brigade, along with the 48th Foot who were featured in my last post.

This battalion took me 9 days of intense painting with the whole unit out on my painting desk and being painted in a production line.  I mentioned in my last post that traditionally I broke down units into several parts but this time I just went for it and did the whole lot in one go!

In many ways this was probably more economical in time, compared with my usual method, however I finished these over a week ago and I have not felt like painting since!   So, the risk of burn out for me is clearly high and probably doesn't work so well for me.  I just felt a real enthusiasm to get the troops done at the time and I am pleased that they now complete.

There is not too much that I can add from my last post.  Paints used were very similar if not the same, as both the 48th and 29th were buff faced regiments so had buff straps instead of the white used on non-buff faced troops.

The flags are from GMB.  One thing I did like is that the flag is a slightly different shade of buff compared to the 48th Foot.  This little difference does make them stand apart more on the battlefield.

I have no more commentary to add on these so I'll let you enjoy the last pics of the troops.

After painting such detailed figures, I have felt like a change and have dived back into the Wars of the Roses.  I'm currently replacing the 25 year old Freezywater Flags on my command stands (where I can) with ones made by the Perry's and included on their instruction sheets.   These are being supplemented by Pete's Flags and any other detailed flags that I can find to improve the appearance of the command stands.

I'm expecting a book in the post in the morning, one I have long desired. This is the book of the Wars of the Roses Medieval Art by Graham Turner, showcasing his wonderful artwork that have adorned many an Osprey Book.  I have admired Graham Turner's artwork for many years and have ordered the book from him so I can obtain a signed copy.

This book should provide plenty of inspiration for more painting and I have no doubt that there will be posts coming with medieval figures shortly!

28mm Napoleonic Perry Miniatures - British Infantry - 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot

After another long pause it's nice to get another Battalion painted up and ready for action.  This time its the 1st Battalion of the 48th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot.  This Regiment had two Battalions at the Battle of Albuera.

Having visited the battlefield of Albuera last year, I have focused on painting units which were there.  The battlefield is pretty well unspoiled and the visitor is left with no doubt as to what a terrible slogging match the battle was on those barren open slopes.  This does leave a great impression on one's mind and also captures the imagination in terms of painting inspiration.  I have no idea how those troops just stood there in an ever shrinking line while hell was unleashed upon them  I think the main reason that I want to represent them is that I was just left in awe of them.

Above and below - The Light Infantry Company at the far left of the line with their green plumes

The figures are from the marvelous Perry Miniatures British Infantry box.  This box gives options for the Peninsular or later 'Waterloo' uniform.  The poses are for a firing line with a number of positions for loading, reaching for ammunition, cocking and aiming.  Some might prefer a more uniform appearance, and I would have done once, but I have no doubt that with the full noise of battle, very few are going to hear shouted firing orders after that first volley in the midst of battle, and the men will keep loading and firing on their own until an NCO slaps a man on the shoulder to cease.

My intention is to use these troops with the General d'Armee 2 rules after having play-tested them recently. The rules are certainly detailed, though I am sure I will play faster with them once I get more used to them.  I did enjoy using the rules and it did 'feel' Napoleonic which very few other rules I have used ever have done.  The GDA2 Facebook group is also a valuable resource as I was really stuck with understanding the orders phase. Putting the question up on the group brought a very helpful answer and all became clear.

Above and below - The Grenadier Company with their white plumes from the extreme right of the line

I am pleased with my change to a 50mm x 50mm stand for the troops (from 60mm x 50mm).  I like the closer order appearance. It's funny how just a reduction of 10mm width can reduce the base size so that it changes the look so much for the better.

The exception to this is the command stand.  I tried to use the new size of base but with flags that glorious (made by GMB), there was no way that I would want to reduce them to make everything fit.  British command stands will be 60mm x 50mm for me and I am perfectly happy with that.

Above and below - the command stand. I paint the flags with PVA glue and let it fully dry, before bending the wavy folds carefully into them. This helps to prevent the print detaching from the paper at the folds. I then apply a matt varnish spray over the whole to protect them (prior to basing)

I found it less daunting to paint just 12 figures at a time and then finish by painting the 5 man command stand.  This was good as it made painting the lace and detail less painful.  I type up a painting procedure of steps and paints used for every soldier type that I paint, and keep it in a large lever arch file. This way I don't forget which paints I used, and also I keep keep notes of any other information that helps (i.e. reminders to use certain arms for certain figures etc).

Below - The magnetic sheet basing with printed label. The label gets a coat of PVA glue too to protect it

I have some extra painting time at the moment as I'm currently between jobs.  I completed these figures about 9 days ago. In the 9 days since, I have painted up another whole Battalion as a production line instead of in the usual batches of 12 figures. This was complete insanity and I am burned out!  I'll post photos of that Battalion in due course, in the meantime I feel like doing something completely different...and with no lace!

28mm Napoleonic Perry Miniatures - Royal Artillery Company

 

This has been an enjoyable little project.  These are the Perry's Peninsular War Royal Artillery guns.  There are two 6 Pounders and one 5.5inch howitzer to create this Company/Battery.

By the mid-Peninsular War there would more usually be 6 guns in a Royal Artillery battery or to use the more contemporary term - 'a Company'.  The nomenclature of the British military has always been confusing (even to those who serve!) as words have different meanings depending on Regiment/Arm of Service etc.

When the guns were equipped with their drivers and horses they were called 'Brigaded'.

A pair of guns was called a 'Division'!

I recommend the excellent book "Wellington's Guns" by Colonel Nick Lipscombe for the definitive story of the Royal Artillery in the Napoleonic Wars.  This gives all the background information before diving much more deeply into the composition of each Company at each battle.  

The book also goes into some detail about Wellington's particular difficulties/feud with the Board of Ordnance who were responsible for the Royal Artillery.  This resulted in much petty bitterness between Wellington and his Artillery officers who were rarely given credit for their bravery and actions in Wellington's post battle reports.

The 6 pounders were able to fire ball, cannister and shrapnel shells.  They did not fire common shell and this was left for the 5.5 inch howitzers to fire.

I will be using these guns in battles using the General d'Armee rules. Hence I only have 3 guns in this Company/Battery rather than the full historic 6 guns.  I have play tested the rules once and it gave a superb game, certainly feeling very Napoleonic, though the detail will take me a number of play throughs before I feel I have got the mechanics fully understood.  That's standard though for me though.

The models were a joy to paint. I really like the artillerymen who do look like they are on campaign.  I have painted them up in my preferred style of keeping them soldier-like but with the inevitable dust/dirt of campaigning in such a harsh climate. 

The Royal Artillery uniform is very distinctive with the yellow braiding and lace. This of course makes it really challenging for the painter!  Though it does pay off the effort of putting the detail work in.  The guns needed a little cleaning up to remove some flash between the spokes, but it was not excessive. I am delighted to have finally got them done.  

These are the first Napoleonic British artillery figures and guns I have painted since the mid-1980's when I obsessively painted Airfix and Esci figures (they are all in my loft but I have no doubt that the paint will all have flaked off by now!).

I'm currently painting a few random things as a little break from Napoleonics, though there will be more to follow soon.