Scottish Archers unit 4

 Scottish archers 

My third unit for my later Scottish HYW army, again plastics from Perry Miniatures, based for impetus or Test of Resolve. Two more units to go, then onto man at arms and nobles. 

Cheers 

Matt

Scottish Archers unit 3

 Another archer unit off the desk, for this unit I have painted a Saint Andrew on the cross on the banner, not historical at this time (much later). 

Two more units to go, again perry miniatures 

Cheers

Matt

Longbow vs Armour 1418 English Longbow Myth

 English longbow myth busted

As I have long suspected from my reading that the myth of the high poundage longbow piercing quality armour covered with a quilted gambeson has been busted........ 

Reading the historical documents from the late Hundred Years’ War it was not the piercing but the kinetic energy and the morale that done the damage to any charge, multiple hits like hail stones would of been most disconcerting to advancing French, English or Scots, Italians et al under the hail of the longbow fire. Yes exposed parts would of been pierced, but in the majority a well armoured knight needed to put up with the hail of shots that would of caused blunt force trauma rather than actual piercing of the armour. Morale was the big factor and effected the charge more than I think we can possibly imagine. 

I was surprised that Toby Capewell had not done this type of experiment before, especially when it came to the quilted gambesons effectiveness in reducing kinetic energy. I have used one over my armour for 10 years or more, the reduction of a blow from a two handed weapon is worth the extra heat.

Enjoy the video amd let me know what you think 

Video presented by Todds Workshop 

Can arrows defeat armour?

Cheers

Matt

Sir Bernard Bruce, Scottish Wars of Independence

Sir Bernard Bruce, Lord of Connington and Exton died 1330, cousin of king. Robert. Another Schiltron for my Scottish war of Independence army. 28mm figures are a mix of Antediluvian miniatures and Claymore miniatures

Cheers
Matt

Sir James Douglas, Black Douglas (the good)

The Black Douglas

Sir James Douglas (also known as Good Sir James and the Black Douglas) (c. 1286 – 25 August 1330, loyal companion of Robert de Bruce. Schiltron for my Scottish war of Independence army. Hand painted shield and standard, on the right flank is Kenneth Williamson, as a memory to my uncle Ken who passed this year. Miniatures are a mix of Claymore and Anteluvian miniatures.

Cheers Matt

Gilbert and Robert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus

Another Anglo Scottish spear unit completed this week, a little different as they fought for the English predominantly.

Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus was a minor when his father died and was a ward of Simon de Montfort, he fought with Simons Rebels at Evesham and was pardoned by King Henry III. He later fought in the welsh wars in 1276. He adhered to Margret if Norway’s claim to the Scottish crown and participated on the English campaign in 1296. After John Balloil was exiled in 1296 his lost the title of Earl of Angus, but was still referred to as the Earl of Angus.

Robert de Umfraville inherited the empty title in 1308 remaining Loyal to Edward III. He was summoned to the coronation of King Edward II of England in February 1308. He was Joint Lieutenant and Guardian of Scotland from 21 June 1308, and appointed to treat for peace with the Scots on numerous occasions. He fought at the Battle of Bannockburn, and was taken prisoner after the battle by Robert Bruce, but soon released. In 1316 he was commissioned to treat with the Scots for a truce. He never reconciled with Robert and remained in England on his estates, forfeiting his property and title. His son Gilbert tried to recover his estates backing the Balloil cause in 1332.

I plan to also portray Gilbert as a squire for Evesham as part of my Barons wars project.

Miniatures are from the Claymore and Anteluvian miniatures ranges

Scottish Archers Bannockburn and 100 YW

Some more Scots off the desk, two units of archers fir my Scottish Wars of Independence armies.
The figures are from the Antediluvian and claymore ranges and are a real joy to paint.

Theses guys can also double for the early part of the 100yw also. Beavering away on a few more schiltrons which should be completed in the middle of the week.

 Cheers
Matt

Earl of Athol, Scottish Shiltron

Earl of Athol, John of Strathbogie (c. 1266 – 7 November 1306 he was warden and Justiciar of Scotland. He fought for King John Baillol the Scottish side at the battle of Dunbar 1296, where he was captured along with 150 knights and Squires, he then served Edward I in the Flanders campaign. He joined Robert the Bruce’s rebellion in 1306 and was present at the coronation of Robert. He fought at the battle of Methven in 1306 and was taken prisoner, sentenced to hang by Edward I. He was  hung in London tower, then his body was burnt and his head fixed on London bridge.

His Son David, 10th Earl of Strathbogie rebelled against Robert the Bruce and was banished, he joined the English camp, along with other Scots who backed the Comyn/Baillol cause. In 1325 he was commander of the English troops in Gascony.

Miniatures are a mix of claymore and Anteluvian miniatures. I must pick up some more purple flowers but I cannot remember who make these ones......

Cheers

Matt

Jean de Vaux, Scottish schiltron

Jean de Vaux, Direlton castle, Scottish noble and retinue. Additions for my Scottish army for the Scots war of independence and rebellions.

28mm a mix of Claymore and Antediluvian Miniatures.

Cheers
Matt

Battle of Neville's Cross 1346

This week we hosted two Australians at L'Hotel de Hercé, "Baron" Ricson and Doc Smith, we had quite a full tour schedule but did put aside a wargames day in the petite Salon.

The good Baron wanted to play a medieval game based on his Scottish heritage and Wednesday was the anniversary of the battle of Neville's Cross. I have quite a large collection of late 13th and early 14th century Scot and English armies, with a wide range of manufacturers miniatures in the collection, primarily Claymore miniatures, with a mix of Old glory, in the Scot army and Claymore, old glory, Crusader, Foundry, Mirliton, Anteluvian, and fireforge in the English army. We used Advanced Impetus rules, I find they work very well especially if you like a result in under three hours of game play, both players were relatively inexperienced playing the rules but quickly picked them up.

We set up historically, with the English closest to the castle and city, and the scots at the top of the valley on a small ridge line. The English won the opening roll and advanced, the opening round of archery from them was quite devesating, causing casualties along the Scot skirmish and archery line. The infantry line advanced twice, passing the woods on the left flank, the Scots then launched set ambushes of light javelin and highlanders. In the second round the English continued to advance and in this round the English longbow drove back the scots to their own lines, the return fire from the scots lights done more damage removing a whole base. Turn three the English won initiate again, moving the line forward and manoeuvring around the woods in the centre, and charging the Scot lights in the woods, who fell back. Turn four the scots won initiate, the archery doing very little damage, so decide to advance off the hill and attack the disordered English line, some success but not enough, the English the new elected to engage the scots, who now were disordered on thier right, so not in schiltron, and great murder was done, only the kings base did not recoil. Turn five seen the English left flank crumble under the scotish onslaught and things were looking up, but the resulting combat on the English right seen King David captured and the whole Scottish army leave the feild as a result.

John of Strathbogie, Earl of Athol

John of Strathbogie, Earl of Athol

Off the table for my Scottish medieval army, a mix of Claymore and one foundry and one mirliton miniature. Based for impetus, I intend to also use them for the 100 years war and the Scottish wars.

Cheers

Matt

Feudal Scottish Schiltron

Feudal Scots for my Schiltrons for the Scottish wars of independence. A mix of Claymore Castings very fine Scottish and English feudal ranges, suitable for the late 1290s to the mid 1400s, eventually I want to field 17 bases in the army.

Cheers
Matt