Showing posts with label Command Stands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Command Stands. Show all posts

Friday, 14 April 2023

Litter Lout

 
Here is a quick Work In Progress shot of the command stand for King Antigonus the One-Eyed, for the big Ipsus 301 BCE game at Salute next week. Antigonus was 81 years old at Ipsus, and had suffered a fall earlier in the campaign, so I've depicted him surrounded by his bodyguard, near a litter. The lion banner was suggested by Jeff Jonas, as Antigonus had earlier been Satrap of Lycia, which province was associated with lion symbology. I've depicted him "at bay", just before his dream of reviving Alexander's Empire was finally ended by an enemy javelin.

I started work on this stand as long as three years ago, so it has been an exceedingly slow burner. Minis were painted by various people including Shaun Watson and Shaun McTague. I still need to paint his litter and finish the base, flock etc. Below are the components yesterday morning, prior to basing.


If you are at Salute next week, please drop by to see Antigonus and his unfeasibly large phalanx! To the Strongest! will be at GG04, near the centre of the hall, between the Warlord merchandising/painting competition area and the N7 exit.

Friday, 17 June 2022

Niccolò da Tolentino

This is Niccolò da Tolentino, commander of the Florentine coalition at the Battle of San Romano. He was painted by the very talented Redzed (Shaun Watson), some time ago. All the photos are clickable.


He's accompanied by a unit of Florentine knights painted by Shaun McTague and myself. Aside from Niccolò himself, the knights are mostly Perry plastics, lightly converted with beautiful high feather headdresses from Mirliton in Italy. I've given many of them giornea tunics. I've tried to get close to the famous "Rout of San Romano" painting. 

I bases on my trusty FK&P6's, Ian Notter flocked and I tufted. The unit is 18 strong, that's how I do all my mounted units, these days. I plan a full Florentine army with lots of militia types.


Here's Niccolò from a different angle, from which you can make out part of the magnificent standard that Pete of Pete's Flags has designed. It's huge and stunning. The red flag in the previous image is also by Pete- Orsini, if I recall correctly, hence the bear.

In other news, it is the final day of my To the Strongest! Flash Sale today (Friday). I've added some new items and further reduced the price of some other items, some of the stuff is 30-50% off. You can find them here.

Here's a clickable version of the full-unit shot.



Monday, 17 January 2022

Adrian von Bubenberg

Adrian von Bubenberg was a Bernese knight, general and politician. He is chiefly famous from the battle of Murten, where his valiant defence of the town bought time for the Swiss army to assemble. This then went on to crush the Burgundians. Von Bubenberg sallied forth to join the ensuing massacre.

The models were beautifully painted by chum Andrés Amián Fernández, and are respectively Perry, Wargames Foundry and Grenadier miniatures. The flag is from Iain at Flags of War. Von Bubenberg probably didn't have a beard, but I love that model! You can't see it clearly in the photo, but he has blingy gold-plated armour.

He'll be one of the commanders for my Swiss army, which has been in storage for around a year but which I hope to get back onto, shortly, when I return from my holiday in 1672.

Today I'm working on the latest version of the TtS! Ancient Army List eBook, which I will publish on or about 31/1/22 (I'll send everyone who has bought it an updated version). I hope to include four new lists and a fair amount of extra background material on several of the existing lists.

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Juba-lation


I am jubilant because these command minis are just about the last required minis for my Numidian army. Here is Juba I, King of Numidia and his bodyguard of Spanish mercenaries. Juba's Numidia was a strong kingdom, but no match for Caesar. Photos are clickable.


I'm really pleased with Juba- I converted him from a Foundry German! The miniatures are Foundry, Companion and A&A miniatures. All of these minis were painted by Nick Speller with some additional detailing by me. The bases are my usual Batbases.


I now just have the bases on the medium infantry to paint and the flocking of most of the army- around three weeks work, I reckon. These are intended for the Ruspina game at the end of March.

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Maximus and Arthur


Newark Irregulars and BigRedBat proudly present...

Maximus & Arthur

Two battles from either end of the Arthurian era!


Around twenty years ago, we started gaming the Age of Arthur armed with Bernard Cornwell books, Foundry and Gripping Beast miniatures and boundless enthusiasm for an unpopular period. Games at Partizan always fired our imaginations. Our table this Sunday 6th September will feature two battles, separated in time by perhaps 150 years, featuring models from the collections of Steve Jones, Martin Hogg, James Morris and myself. I will be running the games using my ‘To The Strongest!’ rules. If you'd like to play (and haven't mailed me already) please drop me an email at the address on the left. We will run each game twice, AM and PM, lasting around 90 minutes or so. No previous experience of To the Strongest! is required.

Magnus Maximus against the Picts, c. 380 AD

Magnus Maximus, a Spaniard, was the first of a line of soldier-emperors to build upon a British power base.  In 383, he took an army from Britain, crossed to Gaul, and defeated and killed the Emperor Gratian.  Prior to his usurpation of the imperial throne, it is believed that he mounted a campaign against the Picts to subdue the area north of the wall, and it is this we imagine in this first game.  The villa is perhaps geographically unlikely, but nothing says ‘Fall of the Empire’ quite like a crumbling Roman estate…

Arthur against the Saxons: The Battle at Fort Guinnion, c. 530 AD

"The eighth battle was in Guinnion Fort, and in it Arthur carried the image of the holy Mary on his shield, and the heathen were put to flight on that day, and there was great slaughter upon them’ – Nennius

This game is a more conjectural affair following a traditional (if unprovable) theme of Britons vs. Saxons!  The warlord Arthur is giving battle to the invading Saxons of Cerdic somewhere in lowland Britain, near the Fort of Guinnion (forts and rivers being the most likely locations for battles in this period).  The Britons are bold, chivalrous and Celtic, the Saxons numerous, ferocious and unwashed: who will win?


The beautiful command stand above was painted by David Imrie and is the new pride of my collection! David used him as King Arthur, but I will use him as Magnus Maximus, the late fourth century usurper to the Western Imperial throne, who led the armies of Britannia onto the continent in an attempt to take Rome. David individually highlighted each scale on the barding... bonkers. I've merely rebased Maximus onto a round command stand as he will be a detached general in my rules.

Monday, 24 August 2015

Sanctus Germanus

Saint Germanus was the Bishop of Auxerre who visited Britannia in the 5th Century to combat an outbreak of Pelagian heresy. Whilst there he supposedly led the Britons to defeat a large Saxon and Pictish raid in what is sometimes referred to as the Alleluia Victory.

I have re based these lovely figures painted by Shaun Watson (Redzed) as a command stand for a projected Arthurian-era Romano-British force. I believe the minis  are Westwind, and the stand itself is half round, designed to be placed in front of a unit as an attached general in TtS! terms.

It would be fun to have a mini campaign with a fervent continental bishop wandering around Britain, suppressing heresy and battling foreign invaders.

Wednesday, 9 October 2013

Hail, Caesar!

No not the rules but the man.  Caesar was painted for me by Andres at Einar Olafson, who has done a stunning job!  Please have a click.


Caesar himself is an interesting piece.  His horse is Foundry, his body Aventine, and his head Warlord.  


I painted the standard bearer.  In the heat of the action, he is carrying his shield the wrong way up...  The Aventine vexilla is really useful, I must have used 2 dozen of them, so far..  

So... Caesar will be leading the action on Sunday at SELWG.  If you are coming along and want to play in the very large Thapsus battle I'll be running twice (once each AM and PM), please drop me a line at the email address on the front page of my blog, and I'll book you in!  

Thursday, 20 June 2013

A tale of two Ptolemies

For last month's Raphia game, I found myself in the unusual position of having a commanding general too many. I never got around to posting the "finished" shots... 

The first Ptolemy IV, below, is from Polemarch, kindly donated by Jim Clarke, who commissioned the range.  I put him on a Foundry horse, asked Nick to paint him, and gave him a couple of Polemarch aides (painted by Raglan), an Aventine Standard and a Salute-giveaway Punic military advisor (very kindly donated by Jeffski off the WD3 forum).  I named this Ptolemy the Effete Youth.


I also wanted a Ptolemy with more military bearing; after all he did lead the bodyguard cavalry, in the battle.  The Dashing Commander below is an Aventine, with a Polemarch standard-bearer, again both on Foundry horses and painted by Nick Speller. The eagle symbol was used by the Ptolemies.


On the day of the game, I went with the Effete Youth, over the Dashing Commander.  The rest, as they say, was history...

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Echecrates the Thessalian


Nick did a fine job of painting this Foundry mini as the commander of the right wing Thessalian mercenary cavalry, for Raphia (I based and added a shield transfer).  In the original battle, Echecrates somehow managed to turn the Seleucid wing and made a valuable contribution to the Ptolemaic victory.  In our game he also managed to turn the wing, but not, alas, before the battle had been lost in the centre.

Sunday, 9 June 2013

Alexander!


I've had these miniatures for 5 or 6 years, and I believe were painted by Andy Bryant; superb paint work.  Last week I was finally inspired to base them, but I need to paint three more to form a third rank of the wedge, and indeed a couple more wedges to go alongside them.  The rounded front edge of the wedge is to indicate the presence of a general.

Friday, 31 May 2013

You wait six months for a Ptolemy, and then two come along at the same time...


A hurried WIP shot of the remaining command stands for Sunday; flocking today!  

I seem to have 2 Ptolemys.  I can't decide whether to go with the effete youth (front left) or the dashing cavalry commander (rear right).  Strangely, Alexander the Great has also joined his less illustrious heirs.

Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Temporarily Echecrates

Echecrates the Thessalian commanded the mercenary horse on the Ptolemaic right, and contributed to their victory by defeating the opposing Seleucid cavalry wing.  





This is a lovely Aventine Pyrrhus casting, superbly painted by Raglan, who will proxy for Echecrates.  Gareth has a very interesting painting style, which I intend to study a little later on... reminds me of the Fauves.  I love his cloaks!

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Raphia Commanders

I’m frantically basing up the officers that I have, for command roles in the Ptolemaic army on Sunday.  They are somewhat rushed, but will look fine from afar.  Just don’t click!  ;-)

The first stand, left, is the guard commander, Eurylochus the Magnesian. I've used Polemarch figures with a converted Foundry Perseus as a standard bearer, holding an Aventine standard.  

The second stand, right, represents Phoxidas the Achaean, who led the Ptolemaic mercenaries
(thureophoroi, I have assumed).   He played a key role in the battle, as it was their attack that routed the riff-raff on the Seleucid left.  Polemarch minis, with a Foundry standard bearer.

Ptolemy, himself, will be travelling in the Royal Mail today, from Nick.  In the finest traditions of show games, the varnish will, no doubt, be drying as I drive up the motorway!  :-)

Wednesday, 29 August 2012

Orfidius Benignus


Orfidius Benignus was the Legate of I Adiutrix (assistant) legion in 69AD.  I Adiutrix was a legion formed either by Nero or Galba from marines drawn from the Misene fleet, many of whom would have been Egyptian-born.  They fought bravely at Bedriacum, capturing the eagle of XXI Rapax, but the more experienced Vitellians counterattacked , killed Orfidius and routed Adiutrix.


This mini is re-based from I Adiutrix, which I modelled earlier in the year.  Minis are Foundry and Black Tree, with an Aventine dolphin standard.  I've decided to expand this legion from 80 minis to 99, including a separate command stand, to fit in with a new idea I've had for structuring legions.

In other news, there is a very good interview and review of Dr Phil's Augustus to Aurelian rules podcast on Meeples and Minuatures.  It is well worth listening to; gives a good instroduction to why they were written and how they work.  We still have a place or two on the game on Sunday at Partizan, if you want to give them a go...

Thursday, 9 August 2012

Gaius Suetonius Paulinus



Gaius Suetonius Paulinus was the general who defeated the Boudiccan revolt, and later the Vitellian forces under Aulus Caecina, at Ad Castores.   His tactics in the latter battle were cautious, and he was blamed for the victory not being sufficiently decisive.   Passed over for senior command, his subsequent advice was ignored and rash Othonian tactics contributed to their total defeat at Bedriacum.


The general and both steeds are Aventine, and the trumpeter Black Tree.

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes


Prince Antiochus Epiphanes was the son the similarly named King of Commagene, an eastern client state of Rome.  He was in Rome in 69AD, is mentioned in Tacitus as having been wounded, commanding some of the Othonians cavalry at Ad Castores.  He later shows up at the siege of Jerusalem, under Titus, where he leads a charge of his "Macedonian" bodyguard against the city walls.  I like to think of him as the very last of the Successors.


To depict him I've used yet another Aventine general, but this time on an Aventine Greek horse with leopard skin saddlecloth which seemed appropriate for the son of an eastern potentate.  The praetorian cavalry shield is from A and A.  I really love the helmet on this piece, I might return to gild parts of it.

Monday, 6 August 2012

Publius Marius Celsus


Publius Marius Celsus was a former consul, who commanded the Othonian cavalry at Ad Castores.  He was a relative of the famous Gaius Marius.


I like an active pose for a cavalry commander, and so added a shield to one of the more dynamic Aventine generals.   The relatively simple paint job came out nicely, and contrasts the complex LBMS shield design.

Sunday, 5 August 2012

Fabius Valens revisited...


Fabius Valens was Vitellius' second subordinate General during his revolt against Otho, and commanded the column that advanced towards Italia, through Gaul.  It was the imminent arrival of this force that spurred the younger Caecina to ambush the Othonians at Ad Castores, in the hope of winning a prestigious solo victory.  Valens helped to defeat the Othonians, but was later executed by the victorious Flavians.


I originally tackled this subject back in 2011, but realised recently that the figure I'd used was rather too young to represent this seasoned general, and so have replaced him with another, more mature Aventine general.   The vexilla bearer is from Relic.


I do like these Aventine Republican generals, and very much look forward to the mounted generals that will presumably come out with their coming EIRs, as the ones on foot are so nice...

Thursday, 2 August 2012

Aulus Caecina Alienus and Salonina


Caecina was one of Vitellius' two subordinates, and commanded an independent column that unexpectedly invaded Italy from Switzerland over passes that the Othonians had considered blocked by snow.   He commanded at the battle of Ad Castores, that Phil Hendry, Craig Davey and I will refight at Partizan.


Tacitus describes his scandalous arrival in History Book 2: 20. "Caecina, who seemed to have left his cruelty and profligacy on the other side of the Alps, advanced through Italy with his army under excellent discipline. The towns and colonies, however, found indications of a haughty spirit in the general's dress, when they saw the cloak of various colours, and the trews, a garment of foreign fashion, clothed in which he was wont to speak to their toga-clad citizens. And they resented, as if with a sense of personal wrong, the conduct of his wife Salonina, though it injured no one that she presented a conspicuous figure as she rode through their towns on horseback in a purple habit."

Caecina is an Aventine general, with lightly converted cloak and trews.   Salonina is heavily converted from a Lady Godiva!  I've a few more commanders to post over the next week...


Saturday, 19 November 2011

Palmyran Archer Command


I've never been entirely happy with the command stand of my cohort of Palmyran auxilary archers, and recently decided to replace their centurion (who has transferred to my Naval Legion) with an A&A command figure, from an eBay purchase, who has a much more Eastern flavour.  At the same time I also took the opportunity to upgrade the pre-Silflor base.  I'm very pleased with the outcome; although somewhat anachronistic, the new mini fits in very well (although, with hindsight, I might perhaps have given him a longer tunic).