I have had an interest in the Romano-British and Early Saxon history for a good few years now. I always felt that I lacked knowledge in this period though. One really positive thing about wargaming is that it soon has you diving for the books to obtain information prior to painting and playing!
I have now built up a small collection of books and inspiration came further with the purchase of 'Dux Britanniarum' by the Too Fat Lardies and the Warlord Games Arthurian supplement. I also bought Osprey's 'Dux Bellorum' to get another rules/knowledge boost.
The biggest inspiration was probably the trilogy of books written by Bernard Cornwell set in this period called 'The Warlord Chronicles'. I enjoyed reading these far more than I thought possible and I was sad to finish them. They were books that I genuinely couldn't put down.
With that inspiration burning, I ordered the Saxon and Late Roman sets of figures from Victrix. I knew they were lovely sculpts and I was not disappointed. The sets had so many choices and spare parts too. In addition it was possible to create a large number of command figures if one so wished.
The command stand in the above 4 photos will be the primary leader, probably as a King for the Romano-British. The image on the Vexillum is actually a combination of two Little Big Men Studio's shield decals which I have blended into one large image. This was far more effective than painting a design and the Shields are so interesting, I thought this would be a good way to show off their splendour.
Above we have another commander and his horn player. Again these are all parts within the packs (I can't recall if it was from the unarmoured or armoured sets, as I mixed and matched figures from both to create the look that I wanted.
This stand will command a 'division' for Hail Caesar, with my standard signifier of having two figures on the command base. In other rulesets, the stand could command whatever is required. I'm also keen to give Midgard a try out, having never played with the rules yet. I think this period will suit Midgard well (and indeed there is a Romano-British and Early Saxon set of armies listed within it).
I have to say that the Little Big Men Studios shield decals are quite beautiful and they really do set the figures off.
The Victrix sets, both the armoured and unarmoured sets, give so many options for creating so many troop types, including Goths too. I opted to use the Romano-British heads, which made sense to me, as well as a few Late Roman ones.
The cloaks are intended mostly for Romano-British troops. I haven't seen any references showing these being worn over shoulder like this as a distinguishing feature, but I would well imagine the practicality of it. I think if I was outside even this week in our wonderful British weather, I would most definitely want a cloak
More command stands below. I thought I would give this particular commander a Vexillum with my own attempt at painting a design on
The bronze scale armour makes a really nice change to the other armours normally seen.
An unusual thing for me these days, but this is a figure based singly! Well this is the Romano-British Champion for use specifically in Dux Britanniarum rules. These Champions play an important rule in the pre-battle stage as they attempt to boost the morale of their own watching armies as they duel with the Champion of the opposing army.
The Bernard Cornwell books portray these events in great detail, and I really did feel that I needed to add a Champion to the ranks of my Romano-British!
I thoroughly enjoyed painting these. There are quite a lot of bits to the figures, but the work of assembly is so worthwhile as you do get so many options with each figure.
I have been busy painting both armies too, so these are likely to follow on the blog in due course.
Indeed they have already taken their place in battle at the weekend. On the day that I finished my first Romano British armoured figures, they were taking their place in shieldwall at the Battle of Deorham 577AD later that evening.
Unusually for a new unit they fought like lions and changed history by holding the ridge against the Saxons! Hurrah! (This is where I remember that my ancestors were almost certainly among the Saxon invaders...awkward!).
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