Wenlock’s retinue; first of the Flower of Craven; Earl of Rutland

The politically mutable Baron John Wenlock and his companies of bill men and archers are finished, and I’m pleased with the result, which is consistent with the everything I have done so far.

It’s also my first experience of working with Pete’s Flags.

The flags are fabulous. Great care is needed when cutting the fringed edges, but the effort is rewarded by the final appearance.

The flags are delicate, though. I got a small amount of PVA on to one of them, and removing it by gently rolling it off with a fresh cotton bud lifted a small amount of colour.

I remedied this with gentle application of colour using Pentel Arts coloured pencils, which are quite soft and blend easily, so ideal. I also used them for colouring the edges of the flags, blending colour with black to achieve the right tone.

Hasting’s companies are on the painting desk, and a handful of hand gunnners liveried for Edward IV are being based. I’ll begin assembling the remainder of the Clifford’s Flower of Craven next.

Wenlock’s retinue of bill-armed men and archers.

The first of Baron John Clifford’s Flower of Craven – dismounted archer’s horse holders and standard bearer, and Edmund, Earl of Rutland’s command group.

Progress on all fronts

This week I assembled the men-at-arms and bill armed men for Hastings’ contingent, finished the bridges, and thought to take stock.

I have a fair few figures with a fair bit of paint on now, and I really need to get on with finishing these, since I don’t have room to assemble Hastings’ archers. A clutch of command groups, Wenlock’s two companies, and Clifford’s mounted archers are in the frame for finishing next.

The two bridges are finished, and I am waiting on delivery of custom MDF bases for them.

Left-to-right: some of Clifford’s dismounted archers, a headless Clifford (in Or – yellow) and his mount, Hastings’ companies of men-at-arms and bill armed men, and nine as yet unassigned bill armed figures.

Left-to-right: Edmund Earl of Rutland, Edward Prince of Wales, Margaret of Anjou, John Baron Wenlock and his companies of bill armed men and archers.

A pair of Clifford’s mounted and dismounted archers, and Hastings, his standard bearer, and a man-at-arms holding Hastings’ helmet.

The finished bridges.

A bit of momentum, at last!

I have finally finished the two long spear (pike) armed companies, which join the French mercenary contingent.

I’m working on a representation of Pierre de Brézé, first cousin of Margaret of Anjou, to command the mercenaries. Margaret of Anjou’s command group is coming along, and Baron John Wenlock’s command group is ready for undercoating. I’m trying to decide whether the man at arms is imploring Wenlock to don his helmet.

I’ve also prepared two companies of bill men and one of archers for painting. One company of bill men and one of archers will comprise Wenlock’s retinue. I’ll get on with painting these while assembling more figures.

Two companies of French mercenaries armed with long spears.

Baron John Wenlock considers donning his helmet.

A small host of figures ready for painting, along with Margaret of Anjou, Edward Prince of Wales, Baron John Clifford, and Edmund Earl of Rutland. Since taking the photo I have blocked-in the flesh.

John, Lord Wenlock

I have been grappling with how to approach the organisation of my retinues, mostly who’s-who and their alliances, which were often fluid and self-seeking. I decided to take a top-down view of the project; I ordered a few more personality figures from Perry Miniatures, in order to gather the principal characters together.

When my order arrived it included a rather fine casting of John Wenlock, 1st Baron Wenlock, a character I knew nothing about. As I read anything I could find online, I began to form an impression of an interesting, complex, and skilful player of the era.

Last week I stumbled on Dr Alexander R Brondarbit’s Soldier, Rebel, Traitor: John, Lord Wenlock and the Wars of the Roses and decided to buy it.

I am currently really enjoying the insights into character, lifestyles, and outlook of the era described in Desmond Sewerd’s The Wars of the Roses: Through the Lives of Five Men and Women of the Fifteenth Century, and I think my new book will be similarly revealing.

Perry Miniatures’ John Wenlock and Dr Alexander R Brondarbit’s Soldier, Rebel, Traitor: John, Lord Wenlock and the Wars of the Roses.