Lord Thomas Stanley, 2nd Earl of Derby 1485-1521
Bit of a milestone with this stand as it is the last base of attacking bill required in the self made listing that I'm working to. I may have a couple of stands of marching bill at some point but this will be all for now - woohoo!
The Stanleys were rather busy in 1513; Lord Thomas Stanley personally led and raised a retinue of 511 for the French campaign, serving in the Foreward under the earl of Shrewsbury. Of that number were some demilancers though I have been unable to ascertain exactly how many. I know that Thomas was in the saddle and saw action at the Battle of the Spurs and was also commended for his bravery both at the sieges of Therouanne and Tournai so you could say he was in the thick of it.
Given the latter commendations and as a nod to the fact that he was also in the saddle I have chosen to represent him on foot in 3/4 armour with cavalry boots to give the appearance of a dismounted demilancer.
The figure is a dismounted knight from the perry WOTR range to which I have added to the boots a little with green stuff and made the addition of a plume from the plastic cavalry boxed set.
I then thought I'd have a go at giving his armour the appearance of a finely gilded suit from the recently established Greenwich armoury. Strictly speaking they were only armourers to the King at that time and this decoration did not begin to feature until the 1530's but I took a bit of artistic license and thought it helped bring the WOTR figure into the early 1500's. I have to say it was a much longer paint job than I thought - 2 days in all but I think it was worth it - it might be a while before I attempt another !
Serving alongside him are faithful retainers of the Stanley Household, some with green and tawny liveried hose and one also wearing the eagle claw family badge on his arm.
There's a couple of minor green stuff conversions amongst these too which you may be able to spot; the addition of a plume, a lovely beard and St. George field sign and also the standard bearer has some hair poking out from his sallet.
The banner was quite interesting to research as I found that it was one of two such banners which were used in that year; Lord Thomas served under this banner in France but he was also required to raise troops for the expected Scottish raids which culminated in the battle of Flodden and for this he was given permission to allow his son, Edward to carry a duplicate of this banner.
The motto 'dieu et ma foy' which means 'in god is my faith' is certainly known to have featured on that which was carried at Flodden but not what I could find with respect to the campaign in France so I've taken a punt that it was probably the same.
It was a bit of a struggle getting the heraldic tawny colour right while still having the yellow symbols being prominent but it seems to have worked.
Phew, this is a productive month for me !
Bye for now
Stuart
Stunning work Stuart !
ReplyDeleteLove the details, even the poor child on the banner have a face, lovely work and most impressive !!!
Congratulation to the milestone;)
best regards Michael
I agree, stunning is the right word! And I'm really amazed by the banner. Truly great work. - James
ReplyDeleteAmazing!
ReplyDeleteCheers
paul
Stunning figures! Wonderful work...
ReplyDeletePhil.
Wow....! Just.... wow..... the figures are beautiful but I just love the standard....
ReplyDeleteFantastic work!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work Stuart!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great project and inspirationally executed :-)
ReplyDeleteLord Stanley looks fantastic in the armour!
ReplyDeleteI'll add my voiced to the others in saying that's a great figure!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteA lovely and realistic painting !!! (and superb banner !!!)
Nikko
Fantastic work there Stuart!
ReplyDeleteFantastic work, I'll be working on the man himself in an earlier incarnation for the battle of Bosworth Field...the turncoat!
ReplyDeleteWow - what an impressive group - they look battle hardened, yet still colorful enough to be inspiring. Best, Dean
ReplyDeleteGosh,utterly splendid figures and banner!
ReplyDeleteThe banner is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat is an absolutely superb base. Your choice of colour for Tawny is interesting, I've always gone with a more orange colour. Think I'll have a try using your Tawny.
ReplyDeleteJust started to reread your blog, as I'm looking for inspiration to paint up the ProGloria landesknecht I recently purchased, and I realised how much you have upped your painting since first starting the blog. The figures you were painting at the start of the blog are something for me to envy but what you produced now is even more impressive.
Also been meaning to ask - if you will be able to use the Tudors that TAG are starting to produce or is the fashion of the 1530's/40s going to look totally wrong for your forces?
Finally love the beards you are starting to add with greenstuff to some of the figures, they look just right.
Thank you very much, I do try :)
DeleteI went with a leather shade in the end. I think I would maybe try it a little more orangey if I were to do it again.
If it's landsknechts you're painting have a look at my landsknecht painting guide for some inspiration - i use it myself whenever they're on the painting desk, there's a link to it on the right.
The current / forthcoming TAG figures are absolutely fantastic but yes a bit late for 1513 though there is mention of a planned range which would cover that period so i'll look forward to that very much.
The beards are a neat little way of bringing the figures into the 1500's and not too difficult to do if a little fiddly.
Stuart
I'll add my fanboy bleat to the crowd: Superb stuff once again - of course what we don't see is the research and work that goes into building and painting a stand like this. These are wonderful figures. I can't wait to see them in the flesh at some point.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking stand, and one of the best you've done. The Stanley Standard certainly adds to the whole with the 'Tawny' colour through adding to the whole. Nice one.
ReplyDeleteWhat can i say that hasnt been said already! Lovely stuff Stuart and how is that little one going? Getting much sleep?
ReplyDeleteShe's doing alright thanks, well rather fantastically but I am bias and I think I may even be painting more now than when we were waiting for her to arrive - perhaps that was the impending sense of doom !
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