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!
