Scots Pike part III

 

I'm very happy to be unveiling another batch of Scots pike. These do take a little while and are something of a labour of love but one which has improved with each iteration.

I think the first unit developed an approach, the second honed that and now with these i've refined it.

The main driver in this batch has been the release of late medieval dollies and heads from Steel fist miniatures as well as their new(ish) Swiss marching pike one of which I used for the standard bearer as well as using some of their heads.

These dollies and heads make for relatively quick conversion straight out of the box for gentlemen and men at arms in the front ranks. There are also a few dollies with knee length gambesons which I thought would represent the Gordons from Aberdeenshire and Inverness under Huntly's command rather well. 

As with my approach in my existing collection of Scots in this batch I aimed to have an armoured caparison in the front ranks through to light / no armour in the rear ranks. This can be seen in this image when I was abut 2/3 done;

It feels like with each batch i'm getting a bit more authentic and better at an overall image. There are a handful of gentlemen in fine armour, a French captain, a Galloglass, a few in livery coats of Huntly's blue and yellow and the vast majority in a mix of light armour. A bit of a muted palette and a bit more blackened armour features here too. This really makes the faces pop, which i must add a few unshaven types to but always forget.

I did these in batches of 8 or thereabouts, here's a few development photographs to see some of the individual characters;

The Piper is from Pete's flags, available via ebay or direct contact with Pete.

In this batch I also wanted to show the St Andrew's cross on a red background, At this juncture if I understand correctly the white saltire was the adopted Scots field sign but the background was yet to be standardised as there are examples in black, blue and as here in red.

This was inspired from a 1503 image from a Book of Hours belonging to Margaret Tudor commissioned by James IV;

The Treasurer's accounts detail banners made in preparation for the 1513 campaign, It's mentioned that the St Andrew's banner was on blue taffeta this was likely a saltire but may have been iconography.

Interestingly the King's banner is mentioned as being red (rather than the lion rampant on gold) which, given the above source may refer to this banner and/or the heraldic Unicorn standard above;

 'August 1513

Item, for four ells of blue taffeta to make Saint Andrew’s and Saint Margaret’s banners, price of the ell 20s; Total £4

Item, for four ells of red taffeta to be the king’s banner, price of the ell 20s; Total £4'

For the figure I added some greenstuff to the arms of this Steel fist miniatures marching Swiss pikeman to make a fine slashed doublet for the bearer;

In so doing It did make me think this approach would work really well for a unit of Picard Pike.

Here they are based up;

Advancing alongside their compatriots;

As one unit (108 figures)

With Galloglass in support

Advancing toward the English 

Fabulous images, they really are quite a sight, you can almost hear the pipes and war cries.

As I mentioned, there's more to add to these, Huntly will be added rather soon I hope and then it'll be on to the next batch of 36 at some point. The next batch I suspect may be command heavy, James IV is notable by his absence alongside some other key commanders. 

Really enjoying creating this army. A tragic beauty to them which just makes it all the more alluring.

Until the next time, cheerio for now 

All the best

Stuart