Gendarmes

The Grand Duchy of Capriccio is a fictional Italian City state, typical of those found in Renaissance Italy. Its alliances shifted throughout the period, often with Swiss mercenaries, sometimes with Landsknechts from The Empire, and always balancing secular political power with its allegiance to The Papal directive and the influence of the machinations of powerful families and the old Condottiere.

This is the "Never Mind The Billhooks" army I showed a couple of posts ago.

Commander in Chief: Lorenzo di Sangiovese, Granduco di Capriccio.

Commander of Gendarmes: Conte di Montepulciano

Commander of Light Horse: Paulo di Chianti (grandson of one of the original Condottiere).

8 Gendarmes

8 Capriccio Light lancers

6 mounted crossbowmen

Swiss veteran pike block 1 (Berne and Fribourg) + skirmishers

Swiss veteran pike block 2 (Uri and Solothurn) + skirmishers

Total 117 points (+ commanders)

The second Swiss pike block is still "in progress" and there are some further vignettes I will add, plus some options for future expansion.

However, I thought I would just show some more detailed photos of the units completed so far, starting with the Gendarmes:

Those who are familiar with the various figure ranges will notice I have mixed Perry plastic horses with Foundry riders in some cases.

Below is the unit in full, with commander: Conte di Montepulciano.

The flags were printed from some posted on a Facebook group (might have been Wargaming at the Outpost group), over which I have painted the main field colours (and changed some of the colours in a few cases) and touched up the details to prevent colours fading over time.

Most of the other "heraldry" is fairly plain stripes, with the odd fleur de lys (I chose the white fleur on red background as the symbol of Capriccio) all of which were hand painted.

Before I forget, I wonder if anyone can guess the inspiration for the name "Capriccio"...