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| The French Army Arrayed |
Over Christmas I had the time to set my collection up to represent a French Force. Everything in the collection so far is on the table, save the Spanish Jinetes and Rodeleros. On the left are the French Gendarmerie, then a block of Reisläufer, the Italians, Gascon Crossbowmen and, on the right flank three large blocks of Landsknechts.
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| French Gendarmes |
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| French Gendarmes |
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| French Gendarmes |
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| French Gendarmes |
The above photos are of my Gendarmes and supporting lighter horse. There are four line of 18 figures each, The first line ride fully barded horses, apart from the trumpeter, and the ranks behind get progressively lighter in armour. The figures are Foundry, Eureka and The Assault Group.
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| Reisläufer |
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| Reisläufer |
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| Reisläufer |
Next up are the Reisläufer, I was pleased with how they fit into the collection. The front two ranks are Foundry figures. I think they mix well with the Artizan Swiss. At some point I want to paint up some more Reisläufer standards so I can use my Landsknecht pike blocks as Swiss Blocks if needed.
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| The Italians in the centre |
In the centre are the Italians, represented mainly by Assault Group Spanish and Italian figures.
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| Gascon Crossbowmen |
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| Gascon Crossbowmen |
Next come the Gascons. Annoyingly a lot of my photos came out far too dark but I like the way these troops look slightly more medieval compared to some of the more fashion conscious troops in the force!
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| Landsknechts in French Service |
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| Landsknechts in French Service |
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| Landsknecht reinforcements |
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| Landsknecht reinforcements |
The right flank is held by 3 blocks of 64 Landsknechts each, with a further block marching in. Again some of these photos came out a bit dark.
Finally a couple more photos of the whole force set up, hopefully 2012 will some new regiments joining this lot, Landsknecht Crossbowmen and Stradiots are the next troops I will work on.
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| The French Force Arrayed |
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| The French Force Arrayed |
Very impressive I have really enjoyed watching this army come together fantastic collection Oli!!!
ReplyDeleteThey look great, both individually, and en mass!
ReplyDeletePeter
Great looking army
ReplyDeleteGreat to see them all ranked up like that, pretty impressive right enough. Interesting to see how the different manufacturers work together.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed watching you put this army together, you really have captured a feel for the French in painting, banners and conversions.
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose you can reccomend any decent pictorial sources for French troops?
All the best and keep it up.
Stuart
Thanks for the comments guys, I keep the collection boxed up most of the time so I do enjoy setting it all out now and again.
ReplyDeleteStuart with regards to pictorial sources for French infantry, rather than Swiss or Landsknechts I have found it pretty difficult to find any.
Der Wiess Kunig has lots of depictions of fighting in the 1510s and the odd print seems to be of troops that aren't Landsknechts and are dressed differently. I managed to download it online but can't find where from now. Another source is "Artists and Warfare in the Renaissance" by J R Hale, no pictures specifically of French from what I can recall but loads of illustrations. Its a really great book.
In terms of the French forces and composition of the armies "Renaissance France at War: Armies, Culture and Society, c.1480-1560" David Potter, is good if somewhat expensive.
Thanks Oli, much appreciated
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff!! Nothing like an entire army on the table! Beautiful work.
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