Norman Archers & Command

previous post here


So here comes the third and final post for the Norman Army. In this we are focusing on the Norman Archers and the Command Stands.

The Archers have all been assembled using the Conquest Games Medieval Archers and the Gripping Beast Dark Age Archers. I managed to squeeze out 8 units of these chaps – some of which can be used as skirmishers if required. A couple of observations on these plastic figures.

Conquest Archers

Gripping Beast Archers

First up the Gripping Beast figures appear to be slightly smaller in bulk against the Conquest ones and for that reason I have avoided where possible putting them on the same bases. The Conquest versions are beautifully sculpted and give the modeller plenty of opportunity to create plenty of different poses. Indeed you can give them short or long bows. These are probably the best of the range that I have seen from conquest and despite being called medieval archers on the box they have a very strong dark age flavour – conical helms and short mail coats. So as mentioned I can field 8 of these units.

 

Conquest Archers

My research into Hastings suggests that 25% of the Norman Army were archers, 25% horse and 50% infantry. As of today I have 35 units for the Norman Army in the following numbers – Archers (8), Horse (10), Foot (17) – close enough I think.

Gripping Beast Archers

Skirmishers

Skirmish line

Archers on the table

As far as the command stands are concerned I created four from the plastic Norman Foot boxes and a further five from metal figures sourced from the likes of Conquest, Footsore and another manufacturer I cannot recall. These have all been mounted on circular bases to differentiate them from the standard units. Both rulesets we are going to use – Hail Caesar and To the Strongest call for separate leadership stands.

So there we have it folks the Norman Army – just need to add a few banners and then it is all complete

Conquest Plastic

Close Up

Pictures of the Duke (conquest games - bloody big horse)

Still need to add the banner

And there we have it the Norman Army - 35 units and 10 command stands

Up next (as soon as more static grass arrives) is the Saxon Army of King Harold.

which you can now find here

http://shedwars.blogspot.com/2019/01/28mm-saxon-army.html