Armor and Weapons: Dark Age and Rennaisance games

This covers a long period, but the majority of actions which I will try to play are heavily linked to the Irish wars period, (1485-1603) This also happens to coincide with my family history as the Redden family were down in the border area and would have found themselves fighting as mercenaries The idea for this game has come from WarGames Illustrated issue 386 December 2019 they did a very interesting article on Pirates of the Hebrides  and it utilizes elements of on the seven seas and lion rampant rules however I'm going to be utilizing the field of Glory Renaissance rules. A lot of the fighting would have been between Scottish clans, Viking raiders. So it shall be the MacNeils of Barra against Norwegians, English, other Scottish clans so my figures will definetly be an exotic mix of Highlanders, Anglo-Saxons, and Conquistodor looking types.

I got a free sprue from Wargames illustrated. The magazine is currently with my Dad so I'll have to get it back. It will be one of my winter projects 2 stands of arquebus gunners. A few more touch ups. And my dont they look stylish! Currently, they will be ready for a small skirmish which I began in 2019 but will be ready for 2020. Or 2022

So my figures for this era are a smattering of several eras but can nicely fit into a Genoese force to use in the Holy Land or the Med. The idea comes from the August 2019 issue of Wargames illustrated Maybe crossbows?

Right, another scenario from Wargames Illustrated October 1997 is a small scale battle between a forces of Richard IV claimaint and  those of the ruling Tudors. Cornwall, Fenny Bridges Richard IV rebels 1 Men at Arms, 9 blades, 10 bows Royalist Tudors 1 artillery 3 blades 4 bows 2 men at arm's 1 light horse 4 bows The battlefield consists of a church on an island over a road with two Bridges spanning a river. Hedges span an area to the west, the rivers could possibly be forded but the bridges are your best bet. Oh what fun, and I so want a pastie I set the battle up, and I shall try to make a quick run of it. And I got my pastie! And I had set this battle up, then I got busy again, so it was a quick roll of dice to see if in fact that the force had morale to fight. After seeing the Royalists in a strong position and with a gun, the rebels lost heart. I just forgot to take pictures.  I shall try for take 2 in 2020. Or 2022 And on top of this, my Alma matter, Leices

One of the battles I read about in Miniature Wargames Magazine August 1999 issue. This was one of the battles in the War of the Roses Yorkists vs Lancastrians. The article gives a good historical brief, and twoaps, one being a traditional interpretation and another with a more practical and tactical view. I appreciate the order of battle so that I can try and model the battle with the figures I have in my collection. Yorkists would need 120 figures While the Lancastrians need 150. I believe that I have these by mixing up several of the medieval figures in my collection. More to come

Perfect! I've been wanting to do a Rennaisance style battle in Ireland set in the winter and I got it! As well, the forces in this include a Spanish army, so my Conquistodors can come out to play. The Irish Gaelic force will be made up of several of the war bands that I have, including armor wearing knights and bowmen, while the English army will have troops in helmets and matchlock muskets (the Imperials from the 30 years war range I have ) This will include their artillery, turns our recent family history research has turned up that in fact, the Redden family is a Border Reiver family on the Scottish side of the border  my rules of choice. Several times in this battle, the morale played havoc with the English trying to  charge forth. The English border horse were destroyed when  they charged a Scottish pike block The English made their approach to the castle and began to open fire on the Spanish and Irish. The English commander in his usual pompous arrogant

I'm going to see if I can mash together some Pike and Shot and some Medieval types into 16th century games. Flodden comes to mind, as does the Irish Wars and some Border Reivers style games. I have the figures to do some really interesting things with. perhaps a castle siege may also come into play? Who knows, the fun is in thinking up the stuff and then doing them when I have the time. Tyrone Rebellion in Ireland looks interesting as I can mix in my Spanish aiding the Irish and my Scots Highlanders can probably lend a hand. Should be interesting to see how a battle looks with Pike, shot, crossbows and archers.