Croats!

I've done 6 Croats from the Karlstädter-Lykaner Grenzinfanterieregiment. I plan on doing more of these. But I've been in a painting slump, with drills, brushes and figures all conspiring against me. So I needed something so show.  

Reading Horrace St Pauls diary, it's amazing how much these soldiers dominated the early part of the Seven Years' War, The Prussians seemed incapable to counter them. a Few hundred Croats could wreak havoc in the Prussian army. Hundreds of Prussians could be killed, wounded and captured, and in one instance, the Austrians literally didn't lose a man. 

The book also makes it clear the perfect Sharp Practice force. While SP isn't my main thing for SYW, I do plan on doing it on the side, and the diary makes it clear that the standard force the Austrians use when they want to make problems Prussian consists of Croats, Hussars, often Grenadier companies and sometimes regular musketeers. So a SP force would be a couple of skirmishing Croats, and grenadiers for close order infantry, maybe a musketeer unit. And also some hussars. 

 I have enough for 9 more infantry with command and a mounted officer. 

 Formed up, which they did do. 

Baron's War Infantry

First proper group done for this project.

A group made up of Spearmen packs 1 and 2.
I really enjoy painting these Sharp Practice groups, I split them in a two days work. Painting 4 and 4 is nice and relaxing, and it lets me concentrate a little more.

 Some have mail, some have gambeson, and a couple have nothing. So for the Medieval supplement, I'll rate them as having gambesons as an average. 

 Quality-wise, I think Levy is most appropriate, given the dominance of the knightly class in this period.

 I really like the spears that come with the packs. 

They are singularly based on a movement tray. 

Let's do the Marshal!

The marshal of course being a very popular dance back in the day, it was the 1210s answer to the Macarena.

Ok, not it's this Marshal. William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke

 I'm sure you've seen this figure quite a lot of late, it's from the new Baron's war range.
I joined the Kickstarter.


I not sure if my project will actually centre on the Baron's war, it would be easiest on account of all the known lords that will be easier to find heraldry for. Or if I want to do a continental affair.

I've decided to base and plan this project for the unofficial Medieval supplement for Sharp Practice 2. The rules are really for later medieval period. So I think I'll have to do some house rules on the unofficial supplement.

 There was no plate armour in the late 12th and early 13th century. But I'll simply treat knightly full body mail as plate and soldiers with just a habuk or coif etc as "mail" under those rules. I think that will work just fine, as not all mail was created equal.

The question is if I have to do anything with the cavalry, given how dominating it was during this period vs later periods. But I have to actually test the supplement before I can do that. Anyway, I'm very happy with The Marshal, Paul Hicks was nice enough to sculpt him with his arm in the way of his chest and some folds in the surcoat, which means my bad freehand dragon is nicely hidden.

His sword scabbard got some nice flowers, which apparently was a thing they did.