15mm Wargaming for Fun and Sanity: Museum Miniatures

Showing posts with label Museum Miniatures. Show all posts

Sunday, 29 June 2025

Lion and Dragon Rampant. Planning for Scots Common, Army o' the toons (towns) and Tim The Enchanter

"Before the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1644, there was no standing army in the Kingdom of Scotland. In the Early Middle Ages war in Scotland was characterised by the use of small war-bands of household troops often engaging in raids and low level warfare. By the High Middle Ages, the kings of Scotland could command forces of tens of thousands of men for short periods as part of the "common army", mainly of poorly armoured spear and bowmen. After the "Davidian Revolution" of the 12th century, which introduced elements of feudalism to Scotland, these forces were augmented by small numbers of mounted and heavily armoured knights. These armies rarely managed to stand up to the usually larger and more professional armies produced by England, but they were used to good effect by Robert I of Scotland at Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 to secure Scottish independence. After the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France played a large part in the country's military activities, especially during the Hundred Years' War. In the Late Middle Ages under the Stewart kings forces were further augmented by specialist troops, particularly men-at-arms and archers, hired by bonds of manrent, similar to English indentures of the same period. Archers became much sought after as mercenaries in French armies of the 15th century in order to help counter the English superiority in this arm, becoming a major element of the French royal guards as the Garde Écossaise. The Stewarts also adopted major innovations in continental warfare, such as longer pikes, the extensive use of artillery, and they built up a formidable navy. However, in the early 15th century one of the best armed and largest Scottish armies ever assembled still met with defeat at the hands of an English army at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513, which saw the destruction of a large number of ordinary troops, a large section of the nobility and the king James IV."

We have the Highland Scots (my ancestors) Lowland Scots and the Borderers. What is missing is the forces of the towns.

Lion Rampant gives a nice simple list on P 185. 200 years of history gives you some scope.

Irregular Miniatures do spearmen in different poses (R31 Scottish Spearmen) Plus a complete 100 piece army for £35.20.

At 44p a figure the LW army needs 44 infantry, let's say 50 for different era leaders etc. making £22. I normally use 1 figure on 1p coin. I'm tempted to mount 2, even 3 if they'll fit. This will make the distinction of heavy infantry as opposed to light.

The elite command group, the Scots often lagged behind their English foes or got an aid package of better, but probably still older, kit from French France. Nice to do a selection, as older armoured styles then go as command base for the spear.

Dragon Rampant First lettuce looke at the historical evidence:

The Scottish Cart of War. (Nicked from TMP) There is no detailed description in the original Acts of Parliament that call for these carts, so you can do more or less what you like:

[1456/5]

Item it is thocht spedfull that the king mak request to certane of the gret baronys† of the lande that ar of ony mycht to mak cartis of weire, and in ilkane [have] twa gunnys and ilkane of thame to haif twa chawmirys with the remanent of the gere that efferis tharto with a cunnande man to schut thame. Ande gif thai haif na craft in the schutinge of thame as now, thai may leir or the tym cum that will be neidfull to haif thame.

(Item, it is thought expedient that the king make request to certain of the great barons of the land that are of might to make carts of war, and each of them to have two guns, and each of them to have two chambers with the remnant of the gear that is appropriate thereto, with cunning men to shoot them. And if they have no craft in shooting them, as now, they may learn before the time comes that it will be needful to have them.)

The "two chambers" are obviously the removable breech-chambers.

The 1471 Act has even less detail:
[1471/5/5]
Item, as to the article that [gif] it happyinis our auld enimys to invaide the realme, that it war expedient to gar certane cartis of ver be maide be prelatis barones eftir the faculte and power of the persones for the defens of the realme, the lordis thinkis expedient that the said cartis of veir be maid be the said persones as for this tyme.

If you want to go the "more pedestrian" route I'd suggest: https://www.museumminiatures.co.uk/war-wagon-renaissance-ox-drawn-2.html

If, however, you want to follow me down the Wampant Wabbit Way:

The Sheddes of Warre.

The domestication of the Haggis is seen as a turning point in the defence of the Scottish towns. Haggis provided both food and transportation.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5ONx-vlrCgs

T'was said that the peoples of the towns were "more English than the English", being more culturally diverse and open to trade and "the new" than their cousins.

Thus it was that they adopted the English Shed. Every land owner strived to have one in his garden. Allotments and common land had communal sheds, many following the mobile shepherds hut pattern:

Thus came into use the Shedde Of Warre. The roof was dropped to each side and 4 or more persons could wield crossbows, spears and javelins upon the foe. The shedde was moved by it's own Stooshie*, who would attack the wounded and the lower extremities of foes. Such were used to defend the narrow passages of towns, but a down hill rolling attack in such close defines could be devastating, if mostly suicidal and/or accidental. They were usually accompanied by skirmishers and a rabble of barking dogs, snapping haggis and yelling children.

The carts:

https://blotz.co.uk/product-category/wargames-terrain/20mm-terrain/scatter-terrain-20mm/

Wheels: https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/fms05-15mm-battlefield-wheels-pack?_pos=7&_sid=e1d49f9d1&_ss=r&variant=32387105980495

Haggis. mixed craft supply pom poms are perfect for those under the sheds: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=craft+pom+poms+mixed+size&crid=GURYCWBYQLP0&sprefix=craft+pom+poms%2Caps%2C211&ref=nb_sb_ss_mvt-t11-ranker_3_14

The Other Haggis, needing a wee bit of flock: https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/vnt66p-wee-beasties-ii-mega-pack-10-pack-with-saving-or-30-with-bigger-saving

*Stooshie is a herd of wild haggis. The collective noun is actually 'stooshie. What is a haggis called? Haggis (known as 'tagais' in Scottish Gaelic).

O Tim The Enchanter

Hereforto beith the tour of the core of the force. Such others mayhap be the more dramatic highlanders, cultists and diverse alurms.

https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/shm98-evil-space-opera-emperor?_pos=11&_sid=66f848e91&_ss=r

Greater Warbeast Killer Rabbit

https://www.alternative-armies.com/products/hal042-gnawbuck-mutagen-giant-creature-build-as-rabbit-or-rat

Rabbits- Several different sizes but alas only one pose! I thought of doing a set for Bast. Regimented rows of cats! https://www.pendraken.co.uk/28mm-animals-rabbits-28-nml9

Needing customising to make evil lesser warbeast swarm! Others available! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08341GJV2/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B08341GJV2&pd_rd_w=wP38q&content-id=amzn1.sym.7c2bff8e-4ce3-4cc7-b3f6-35ac6c74cf9b&pf_rd_p=7c2bff8e-4ce3-4cc7-b3f6-35ac6c74cf9b&pf_rd_r=7VGHZ3JEXNNTX41JN3XP&pd_rd_wg=L9Xui&pd_rd_r=c646d284-50a8-4360-ac11-b93c2d2b2f99&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

Thursday, 12 June 2025

Lion Rampant Achaean Chariot Wars not quite a campaign.

Hill from Temu or Shein (if there's a difference--) Packing foam so need basing. I wanted a mound grave and this was an easy conversion.

Pallisade is from Amazon - 28mm. Go figure--

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R7X5Z6N?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Simple campaign X number of games p169

Scenario 2 Gladiators p138 2 high quality

Scenario 3 Low quality vs medium or high

Scenario 4 Fugitive Attacker has chariots

Scenario 5 Both no chariots.

Scenario 6 Either both chariots or none.

Scenario 7 Both chariots

Scenario 8 Low quality vs medium or high

Scenario 9 Attackers chariot heavy

Scenario 11 Both high quality

I tried designing the sort of forces a city or local ruler could field rather than some optimum.

Master sheet

6p H Chariots 2 as 6		Move 6+ 8”	Attack 4+ Attack V3+ Defence 5+
Courage 4 Armour 4		Shoot 6+ 5+ 6‘’	Countercharge

6p Elite Dismounted 6		Move 5+ 6”	Attack 5+ Attack v 3+ Defence 4+
Courage 3 Armour 4		No shoot	Flexible

5p Heavy Pike 12		Move 5+ 6”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 3		No shoot	Wall of Spear

4p Light Pike 12		Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Levied Pike 12		Move 6+ 6”	Attack 7+ Attack v 6+ Defence 6+ 5+ mtd
Courage 5 Armour 1		No shoot

2p Skirmishers 6		Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

Mid Quality
6p Odyseus 6	1	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 5+ Attack v 3+ Defence 4+
Courage 3 Armour 4		No shoot	Flexible

4p Light Pike 12	3	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Skirmishers 6	3	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

Low Quality
6p H Chariots 2 as 6		Move 6+ 8”	Attack 4+ Attack V3+ Defence 5+
Courage 4 Armour 4		Shoot 6+ 5+ 6‘’	Countercharge

2p Levied Pike 12		Move 6+ 6”	Attack 7+ Attack v 6+ Defence 6+ 5+ mtd
Courage 5 Armour 1		No shoot

2p Skirmishers 6		Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

Mid Quality
6p Elite Dismounted 6	1	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 5+ Attack v 3+ Defence 4+
Courage 3 Armour 4		No shoot	Flexible

5p Heavy Pike 12	1	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 3		No shoot	Wall of Spear

4p Light Pike 12	2	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Levied Pike 12	1	Move 6+ 6”	Attack 7+ Attack v 6+ Defence 6+ 5+ mtd
Courage 5 Armour 1		No shoot

2p Skirmishers 6	2	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

Mid Quality
6p Elite Dismounted 6	1	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 5+ Attack v 3+ Defence 4+
Courage 3 Armour 4		No shoot	Flexible

4p Light Pike 12	2	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Levied Pike 12	3	Move 6+ 6”	Attack 7+ Attack v 6+ Defence 6+ 5+ mtd
Courage 5 Armour 1		No shoot

2p Skirmishers 6	2	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

High Quality

6p H Chariots 2 as 6	2	Move 6+ 8”	Attack 4+ Attack V3+ Defence 5+
Courage 4 Armour 4		Shoot 6+ 5+ 6‘’	Countercharge

6p Elite Dismounted 6	1	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 5+ Attack v 3+ Defence 4+
Courage 3 Armour 4		No shoot	Flexible

4p Light Pike 12	1	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Skirmishers 6	1	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

High Quality

6p Elite Dismounted 6	1	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 5+ Attack v 3+ Defence 4+
Courage 3 Armour 4		No shoot	Flexible

5p Heavy Pike 12	2	Move 5+ 6”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 3		No shoot	Wall of Spear

4p Light Pike 12	1	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Skirmishers 6	2	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

Poorest Quality

4p Light Pike 12	3	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 6+ Attack v 5+ Defence 4+ 3+ mtd
Courage 4 Armour 2		No shoot	Wall of Spear

2p Levied Pike 12	3	Move 6+ 6”	Attack 7+ Attack v 6+ Defence 6+ 5+ mtd
Courage 5 Armour 1		No shoot

2p Skirmishers 6	3	Move 5+ 8”	Attack 7+ Attack V 6+ Defence V 6+
Courage 5+ Armour 1		Shoot 7+ 5+ 12”	Hard to target. Arm 2-12” Skirmish/Evade7+.

All figures used are Museum Miniatures. There's a lot of the old sculpts here plus a couple of new. Despite their age the old still hold up!

I think you know by now (there will be a test) I use different shaped bases to distinguish betwix grades and types. From right, skirmishers. Heavy oe elite pike, light infantry and levy.

You can either look at what you've done or what's to do. I had planned a 6 sided OGAM game at Beachhead, but could not get the players. So I stopped and moved on. Thus there's finished, damn near finished and started in the same unit.

"Does my bow look big in this?"

The Game. OK, so it didn't go quite as planned, but we had fun. We picked this and I picked that. Our Stephen, for it was he, once again in the skool holidays.