The Barons' War 2 - 28mm Medieval Miniatures

Update on Day 10 - Lots to show you today!
almost 4 years ago – Wed, May 06, 2020 at 04:00:21 PM

Good morning and welcome to day 10 of our Barons' War project, I am pleased to say due to a delivery of master I received yesterday I was able, with a little bit of hobbying last night, to assemble, undercoat and spray the following.

Stretch Goal Sculpts

In my little bundle of resin masters, I found the leader of the rebels himself Prince Louis of France, I am totally enamoured with this sculpt, wearing his distinctive kettle helm he looks, unlike any other knight we have created.   I can not wait to have him painted up and have asked Darren Linington if he will do us the honours.

As well as Louis we have the second pack of foot knights with two-handed weapons, these chaps look like they really mean business.  I think they will be dealing out a lot of damage as long as the crossbowmen don't get them first.  I don't have a favourite out of this pack I love them all equally.

The last pack we have to show are the mounted sergeants with spears, and I have to say the faces on these miniatures look so good, really full of character.

All three of these can be added to your basic pledge, all you need to do is increase your amount to cover them.

Remaining Stretch Goals

In other news, we unlocked another stretch goal last night before I went to bed, and even though we have dipped back below the target we needed to unlock it we have left it unlocked.  This has made the sergeant with banner and musician available, I have to say these were a late addition to the project, being asked for by a number of backers and I have to say I am really pleased we have included them.

Next up is a second Bannerman and Musician, again as requested by backers, we have set the amount needed to unlock this goal relatively low as we plan for it to share a mould with the other pack.

This second Bannerman and Musician is the penultimate stretch goal we have for this project, that's right we only have one left to go after it is unlocked.  Any guesses what/who it could be?

~Andy & Paul (Hobday & Hicks)

Further Example Retinues for our Barons' War Skirmish Game
almost 4 years ago – Mon, May 04, 2020 at 06:44:26 PM

As a follow up to Georges previous update on force composition we thought we would share a couple more example Retinues built using both miniatures from the first Kickstarter and a mix of both.  If you read on to the end we have even sneaked in Saxon and Viking lists too. Over to George.

To kick things off, let's have a look at a retinue featuring miniatures from the first Kickstarter and will be available through the pledge manager. Here we have a lower model count as the retinue comprises more experienced warriors. The group of heavily armoured mounted Knights are devastating and with the ability to cause shock and fear into your opponent's warriors. The lances they are armed with deliver a lethal first strike but rarely last longer than the first engagement, so timing is everything with these. At the core of this retinue are spearmen, the reach of their weapons enables them to push home the attack without fear of the enemy being able to counter unless they too have spears. Combined with a hail of bolts from your crossbowmen, you should be able to hold the perfect position for the dreaded cavalry strike.

Next up, I'd like to share my current playtesting retinue. My retinue is a very infantry heavy force designed to put foot troops to the test against cavalry heavy retinues and ensure balance and playability of all available options.

A question that has been asked a couple of times, and is an excellent question, is how have we differentiated between the different periods. One constant in all conflict is the human body, from the dawn of man to modern conflict; the only thing that sets the warriors apart is the technology and equipment they have at their disposal. This arsenal is what enabled us to set different periods apart from one another. As mentioned in my previous article equipment, and the vast array of what is available is what allows us to give you the player control over how your retinue feels and plays. As the time shifts, so does the available technology and gear. For example, in our earlier force lists, mounted warriors are mainly found on ponies and only sometimes larger horses. In contrast, the Knights of the Barons Wars and beyond have access to destriers which give them an edge in mounted combat.

Another element of warfare that has provided the ability to inject flavour into the different periods are the tactics used. Our dark age counterparts found great use in shield walls, but chivalry was almost non-existent. As we move along the timeline chivalry becomes much more critical and has a more significant impact on how battles are played out. The introduction of stone castles shifts the nature of warfare and a whole host of other changes in tactics.

We have also been trying out the rules with earlier medieval or Dark Age forces. Some of you showed an interest in these earlier retinues from the late Saxons, Vikings and Normans. Below I have included a couple of playtesting retinues you may have seen Andy and I playtesting to give you an idea of the options you will have open to you.

Saxon Retinue (Andy)

Aethelflaed - Light horse, shield, hand weapon

Bannerman

Huscarl bodyguard

Saxon Hero - Mail, Dane Axe

Saxon Hero - Mail, shield, sword

5x Huscarls - Mail, shield, sword

3x Thegns - Mail, shield, hand weapon

3x Archers - Bow

Priest

5x Fyrd - Shield, Spear

3x Slingers - Slings

Settled Viking Retinue (George)

Jarl - Mail, shield, sword, bow

Bannerman

Shaman

Viking Hero - Mail, Dane axe

Viking Hero - Mail, Dane axe

5x Hirdmen - Mail, Dane axe

4x Bondi - Leather, shield, spear

4x Shield Maidens - Mail, shield, hand weapons

3x Anglo Dane Archers - bow

3x Anglo Dane Archers - bow

Update on Day 8 - Halfway there and all the Merry Men sighted!
almost 4 years ago – Mon, May 04, 2020 at 02:54:25 PM

Hello, everyone, I hope you are all having had a spiffing Sunday and found plenty of time for some hobby.  Today I have something very special to share with you, Paul has sent over pictures of the Little John and Will Scarlet.

What can I say about these two merry men, they are glorious, full of character and have definitely been worth the wait.  If you haven't added them already to your pledge, it is simple to do, just add £4 to your total and select their pack when the pledge manager opens.  All I can say is I am very pleased with all four of our outlaws.

One idea we had is for you to add these four to the eight archers from our first Barons' War Kickstarter, giving you 12 in total which I hear is an ideal number for Lion Rampant and Saga games.

As well as the men of Sherwood Mr Hicks also sent over a picture of the Sergent with Banner which I am sure he doesn't mind me sharing with you all.  This chap is one of the two command miniatures we are currently trying to unlock as our next stretch goal.

Resin for the Rebels

In other news, Footsore Miniatures & Games have made a start on producing the resin miniatures that we will be needing to fulfil the Rebel pledges, this can be done in advance as we have passed our funding goal and we know only a maximum of 30 sets will be available.  As they create all the masters in resin, both for metal and resin production, with the moulds made they wanted to get ahead of the game, well-done guys.

With seven days to go until the end, we have a week left for more "Did You Knows?", example retinues and stretch goal unlocking, if there is anything you would like to know about the miniature range or the rules please ask and I will do my best to answer.

Again thank you so much, everyone, for your support on backing this project it wouldn't be happening without you.

~Andy & Paul (Hobday & Hicks) 

Did You Know 20 - Brother Aymeric de Saint Maur, Master of the Knights Templar in England
almost 4 years ago – Mon, May 04, 2020 at 10:35:54 AM

The Grand Master led the Knights Templar, based initially in Jerusalem, whose deputy was the Seneschal. Next in importance was the Marshal, who was responsible for individual commanders, horses, arms and equipment. He usually carried the standard or nominated a standard-bearer. The Commander of the Kingdom of Jerusalem was the treasurer and shared some authority with the Grand Master, balancing his power. 

The Grand Master and his Seneschal ruled over eight Templar provincial Masters in Europe, who were responsible for Apulia, Aragon, England, France, Hungary, Poitiers, Portugal and Scotland. Although the Masters controlled all actions of the order, they were first and foremost Templars and carried out the same duties which including riding out to battle, usually at the front, making it quite a hazardous role.

The bulk of the fighting force was made up of knights and sergeants. Knights, who usually came from the nobility, were the most prestigious and wore the white mantle and red cross over their armour, carried knightly weapons, rode horses and had the services of a squire. Sergeants filled other roles such as blacksmith or mason as well as fighting in battle. Some squires performed the task of caring for the horses.

Aymeric de Saint Maur was the Master of the Knights Templar in England at the time of the First Barons' War and one of the most powerful men in the land. A descendant of a Norman baronial family of high power and influence from long before 1066, he worked with Archbishop Stephen Langton to produce the original draft of the Magna Carta.

King John of England was one of the least popular monarchs ever, but curiously he received significant support from the Knights Templar. Even when his barons turned on him, the Templars remained resolutely loyal to this treacherous king.

It's interesting to think that when King John was first presented with the demands of the barons, he was staying at the Temple Church in London with Aymeric. It has been remarked that this was rather like lodging with your bank manager who also happened to enjoy a papal seal of approval and have a handy stock of weapons and well-trained soldiers.

The Templars were very much John's bankers; he seems to have both deposited and taken out multi-thousand 'mark' amounts to protect his wealth and to use it to hire troops after he was declared excommunicate by Pope Innocent III.  It is suggested that Aymeric helped John out with his papal problems – particularly crucial as Pope Innocent III was beyond doubt the most powerful pope in history.

King John highly regarded the diplomatic advice of de Saint Maur and other members of the Order of the Temple in England at the time. Brother Aymeric encouraged King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 and was present at the signing of this monumental document as a witness in Runnymede when sealed in 1215.

Having borrowed heavily from the Templars for some time, John gave them the island of Lundy, bits of Northampton and Cameley amongst other gifts.  It is suggested for this, he "bought" their support, but as an executor of John's will, it could be argued that these two men had a mutual understanding if not mutual respect outside of the transactions that took place.

Brother Aymeric de Saint Maur, Master of the Knights Templar in England was a close friend of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.  This Templar Master and The Marshal were buried side by side in the Rotunda of the Temple Church in May 1219 where they can be still found to this day.

An Update just for you Resin loving Rebels
almost 4 years ago – Mon, May 04, 2020 at 10:35:42 AM

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