Maximilian Imperial light cavalry

Another slow burning project come to fruition.

Last year I set about studying French Gendarmes in the search for some source material and generally to educate myself a bit more on their appearance and composition. This perhaps inevitably, led me on an avenue as to the same for that of cavalry from the Holy Roman Empire. 

For my collection in particular this is something which is sadly lacking and given that Henry VIII hired mercenary light and heavy cavalry from a willing Maximilian I thought it was about time I got myself some.

As is quite often the case the seed was planted with a single image, this piece by Durer depicting a light / medium cavalryman.

Albrecht Durer, Knight Death and the Devil, 1513

This was a revisiting by Durer of an earlier study which more plainly shows the armour and equipment of the rider and horse.

Albrecht Durer, study of a rider, 1498

The fox tail dangling from the tip of the lance was introduced as a badge of identity for a standing division of horse by the Emperor Maximilian I, this can be seen in a number of depictions from and slightly beyond Maximilian's reign.

This example from Albrecht Altdorfer's Triumphal procession of Maximilian I depicts a body of Imperial heavy cavalry at the battle of the Spurs in 1513, all with fox tails, somewhat and unsurprisingly playing down the role of the English horse in the engagement.

Albrecht Altdorfer, body of Imperial Horse, Battle of the Spurs 1513 (extract), Triumphal procession of Emperor Maximilian I, 1512-1515

Given that heavy cavalry are very well represented in the available figures out there I rather predictably set about making life hard for myself and set the challenge of creating some light / medium cavalry. 

Most helpfully there are some very clear depictions of light cavalry in the triumphal procession, here are some examples that I found particularly inspiring.

I set about attempting to interpret the various elements above using the Perry Miniatures light cavalry plastics with green stuff and various bits added to bring them into the early sixteenth century.

This is an approach I have used in the past with this set in the creation of demi lancers and mounted archers for my early Tudor army. This however was pushing that sculpting bar a little higher and I really enjoyed the challenge.

Here are the figures prior to painting so the sculpted additions and bits of added kit are easy to spot.

The heads are from Steel fist miniatures and also taken from Wargames Foundry Landsknechts

Here they are fully painted, I used Altdorfer's painted version of the Triumphal Procession as a source for colour / pattern references.

The banner is hand painted with Maximilian's typical ragged cross of Burgundy

They're rather splendid and I feel they need some more additions, here's this unit based and I am pleased to announce that I'm already working on some more to swell their ranks.

Bye for now

Stuart

Alexander Gordon 3rd Earl of Huntly 1460 ish -1524

Another commander to lead the ranks of Scots Pike, Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly.

Brief biography is here on Wikipedia.

Of particular note, Huntly was a favourite of both James III and James IV. Despite significant involvement in a 1489 rebellion against the latter he managed to quickly gain the favour of James IV.

This was done primarily in becoming a key ally in subduing the Highlands and Islands to Royal control in raid and counter raid of the Donald Dubh rebellions of 1501-1505

For my interest, Huntly commanded the Scots left at the Battle of Flodden alongside Lord Home and saw comparatively good success in seeing off his opposite number. Huntly suggested they rejoin the action and aid James IV to which Home responded

 'the man does well this day who saves himself: we fought those who were opposed to us and beat them; let our other companies do the same.' 

Huntly and Home likely as a result of this decision survived the action but suspicion would be the undoing of Home in the years to come. In the aftermath of Flodden Huntly became a supporter of the Duke of Albany.

He was succeeded by his Grandson, George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly who would also see battle against the English at the Battle of Haddon Rigg.

You can see my representation of Home along with a brief history here.

At Flodden in 1513 Huntly commanded a combination of Borderers and Highlanders, the latter are perhaps not fully represented here but I wanted to have a Flodden bias for this base with armoured men and I can easily add highlanders around him when suitable figures come.

As he survived, there are some interesting gaming opportunities to represent Huntly's career from his subduing of the Highlands which really has got me thinking, dramatic skirmishes in fabulous terrain ! i feel a commission coming along-  through Flodden to his support for Albany.

I really like these Scots figures from Pete's Flags and Huntly was my first thought upon seeing this command group.

I've based him with figures carrying polearms so that he can be a bit more flexible and easily stand alone as a command base or be among other units of bladed polearms or pikes. The figures with halberds effectively acting as a colour guard 'in the manner of the Almains'

Here are some individual photographs of the command prior to basing.

There's a very loose colour scheme to the group based on those of Huntly's arms.

Figure is from Pete's Flags by direct contact (see ebay page), banner from Flags of War. The arms are from the Warlord Games Landsknecht plastics command.

Piper & Drummer, figures from Pete's Flags. The Drummer's Tartan plaid is loosely based on the 'Glen Affric' tartan, aka Scotland's oldest known tartan dated to the 16c

Earl Huntly, figure from Pete's flags.

Here's Huntly along with Home in my representation of the Scots left wing at Flodden. Armoured figures and command in the front ranks with borderers in the rear and highland Galloglass in support about to make contact with the English.

Huntly & Home's Highlanders & Borderers

It's a real treat seeing the command nestled among the pikes. I've tried to create some highlander pike figures via conversion in the last batch of Scots pike but wouldn't it be lovely if some specific figures were created?

And I need more, so many more. In the short to medium term I shall concentrate on some more command bases then possibly get my hands on some highland skirmishers and of course, in the long term I need to get kitbashing again to create more pikemen. Flodden is inching closer........if we ignore the many English personalities I also need to do !

I hope this was entertaining.

Until the next time

Stuart

Landsknecht Command

 

This unit has been a little delayed, I meant to complete this command when I revived my Landsknechts last year, more of that here.

However, in the intervening period I've had time to think on the matter and Landsknechts have certainly never been far from my mind. In particular I wanted the standards to come together and represent those typically seen in early images of Maximilian's landsknechts, particularly those of Albrecht Altdorfer in which three flags are repeatedly shown together, a simple cross of Burgundy on a yellow ground, the arms of Austria and Burgundy ancient.

Maximilian's duchies of Austria and Burgundy feature in the centre of his arms.

and.......spot the mistake I made, In depicting the blue and yellow stripes as horizontal rather than diagonal I created the standard of the Fugger family, which is a happy mistake as they financed a lot of Maximilian's wars. I will no doubt correct this in some way one day, the best manner will be to create a new unit of course so watch this space. Progress not perfection is the mantra.

What have I learned in a year since visiting Landsknechts? i'd say i've really got to grips with using Citadel contrast paints as part of the process by blending washes with them. The results are really vibrant colours. I don't like to use them as intended but to mix them with existing wash formulas and highlight / blend on top. It's a slower process but the results really make these figures pop. Here they are prior to basing.

Using the Red as an example here are the stages for the red bits;

1. Black undercoat
2. Foundry British Redcoat Shade 
3. Citadel contrast Blood Angels Red as a wash
4. Foundry British Redcoat Shade, Mid & Highlight.
5. Foundry Orange mid as a final highlight

A similar approach is used for the other primary colours, experiment with it and enjoy the results !

The figures are all from Wargames Foundry with the addition of flag pennons from Front Rank Figurines, now available from Gripping Beast.

Each figure is based upon a coloured woodcut, the flags are hand painted.

Here they are forming the centre company of banners with my existing imperialist pike

I have three bases of Swiss banners on the same formula to make it an interchangeable pike block, I have left room to create a stand to represent Richard de la Pole who will no doubt form the nucleus of my next Landsknecht painting project.

Figures with levelled and horizontal pikes are added to those standing, the banners are now at the centre of the 162 figure company.

As is apparent, I want to do more, I've done quite a bit of research on this subject this year (more on that soon) I have more Imperialists on the workbench now but lets see what fate decides to be the next finished project to share, there's 'currently' 5 units in various stages of completion, such a masochistic hobby at times !

Bye for now

Stuart