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