Swiss

Following on from my previous post, I thought I would just share some close up images of the first Swiss pike block in the army of Capriccio.

But, just before that... the answer to the question posed last time about where the name "Capriccio" comes from (and thanks to those who commented and guessed... and no, it's nothing to do with me ever owning a Ford Capri!)

When I was starting to plan this army, I happened to be listening to some music, and there it was; Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien. A lively and evocative piece of music which I first discovered when it was one of the extra tracks on a CD of the 1812 Overture that I frequently listened to whilst painting (it's a wonder I didn't get into Napoleonics!).

Anyway, that's the source of the Grand Duchy of Capriccio. The name somehow seemed to fit with a renaissance Italian state.

Now on to the Swiss.

For these I used the plastic Landsknechts from Warlord Games. Whilst their accuracy can be questioned by those more knowledgeable than I on the subject, I think they fit the bill for our NMTB armies. I simply decided to paint them as Swiss as I believe that by the early 16th century there was very little to choose between Swiss and Landsknechts in terms of clothing styles.

Talking of clothing, I have dispensed with the cantonal livery associated with the earlier Burgundian Wars Swiss armies, with which many readers may be familiar. Depicting a later style, I decided to go with a Swiss red theme, with just a hint of the cantonal colours of Berne for this unit.

On another matter, entirely. I know there are those who like to do large pike blocks containing many dozens of figures. And that's great. I myself have done so in the past with 54-figure pike blocks back in 2003-2005 when I previously did an Italian Wars project. However, before writing off or dismissing the 2-company (24-figure) pike blocks represented here, it's important to remember the NMTB armies are merely representative, and the system gives a great game, so we're going with it!

Right, here's those pictures:

The full unit:

The fourth rank:

The third rank:

The second rank:

The front rank:

Skirmishers:

That's all for now folks...

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"...

Sources of Inspiration

Last weekend I attended Partizan, a show full of inspiration.

Other blogs and Facebook channels have already done plenty of photo reports, all worthy of a few minutes spent browsing, even if you did go the show! I often get back from a show and it's only in the photo report of another blog or video that I realise how many games I missed, or the details that escaped my attention.

There were plenty of tables in my natural field of interest on show, and I very much enjoyed chatting to those putting on these games.

In particular, I had been looking forward to seeing the North Star 1672 game as some figures I had painted in around 2013 and which had subsequently been sold to Nick were to appear on the table. It was nice to see them in action.

Ironically, just the week before, I had been pottering around painting another regiment in that collection as part of my "not sure where this is going, but I like the figures and want to occasionally paint a unit here or there" project.

Seeing Nick's game at the show inspired me to finish that latest unit: the French regiment Champagne. 

As you can see, I've done them in an approximation of 3 ranks.

Of late, I have been giving myself a sort of "paint on a whim" remit which has allowed me to wander a little. I will return to the Capriccio army (see previous post) at some time soon.
Meantime, I'm just enjoying pottering around, and also engaging with various sources of inspiration.
It's nice to have John Ray's AMG forum back. I have also discovered some Youtube channels that I enjoy... I'm a bit late to the party on these, but Big Lee's Miniature Adventure has some good stuff on it, and his delivery style is very good too. I have also revisited Henry Hyde's channel and enjoyed immensely one of his recent 18th century Imaginations battle reports.

It has been many years since I subscribed to a hobby magazine, preferring to pick them up as I go each month, or not if the content doesn't grab me. But I recently went all in on Wargame Illustrated Prime, and am enjoying flicking through the many back issues online. I also notice that in his latest post about Partizan, editor Dan has made some interesting points about a third category of game, alongside Participation games and Demonstration games, namely for those tables where no actual game takes place but which focuses on the pure aesthetics of the modelling, terrain, and figure painting. This is something I have long advocated. It's what Partizan was, in fact, built on. OK, the "games" may not get played (and there are many reasons for this, as anyone who has manned a table and been too busy in conversation all day to actually play a game will testify). It's a point worth considering. I also enjoyed David Bickley's (GHQ blog) discussion on the show which also makes some good points. All food for thought.

It should be said that, whatever the secret, Tricks and Lawrence have created a hugely successful show over the past nearly 40 years. And I know, because of the sort of chaps they are, they are always looking to improve, adapt, and adopt new ideas.

Right, back to the paint desk. I wonder what I will paint next...

Still Here... Still Game!

"Isn't it about time you updated the blog, Phil?!"
OK, OK...

My summer painting project has been very enjoyable... a foray into Billhooks Italia.
I've been developing a sort of fictional pairing starting with the Grand Duchy of Capriccio...

As you can see, they have a sort of Florentine flavour.

Above and Below: Lorenzo di Sangiovese, Granduco di Capriccio

Above: Conte di Montepulciano
... and Below: Leading his Gendarmes.

Above: The Capriccio light cavalry... A band of Crossbows, supported by a unit of Caspriccio light lancers.

Below: commander of light horse, Paulo di Chianti.

Above and Below: Swiss from Berne and Fribourg

These Swiss figures are from Warlord Games; plastic landsknechts, painted to look a bit Swiss-ish. I figured that Swiss circa 1515 looked very similar to landsknechts (and certainly very different to the oft seen Swiss figures from the Burgundian Wars). Having painted these, then Warlord brought out some Swiss... but I still prefer these.

Above: May years ago (c 2003-05) I previously "did" the Italian Wars, and had a couple of figures left over. This is a Foundry character figure... a dwarf in Renaissance clothing. I have named him The Gnome of Zurich (I thank you), and he acts as the Swiss quartermaster!

Below, another vignette from my previous Italian wars collection.

Below: skirmishers for the next Swiss unit. Pikemen still to be done.

Below: some atmospheric shots...

Over the summer there have been a few games of Billhooks with the old Berks (Andy, John, and Steve), using our WOTR armies. The rules system always throws up a good game with plenty of luck and surprises!
Sadly, I didn't attend the Derby "Bash", but I gather it was rather good... maybe next year.

Meanwhile, I have an Autumn/Winter hit list that I am working through with lots of bits to do for a number of my projects - some units to paint (including a second unit of Swiss pikes for the Capriccio army), and some scratch-building, terrain bits, and vignettes. I'm working through it all on an "as the fancy takes me" basis, hopping between the many armies I have that need some attention.

Next weekend I plan to attend Partizan, so hope to see many readers there. I have a shopping list...

'Ciao for now,' as they say in Capriccio!

Billhooks at Bristol

The other week, along with Andy Moran and John Kersey of The Old Berks, I attended the BIG Billhooks weekend event in Bristol.

Many years ago, I wanted to experience one of the many WAB weekends, but living so far away from the main venues for such events, I never managed it. When I saw that similar weekend events were being held for “Never Mind The Billhooks” players, in discussion with my compatriots in The Old Berks, we decided to attend. Andy and John had been to one before, but this was to be my first …

It was good to meet so many other players, and to have a bit of social time, and basically talk Billhooks most of the weekend.

Having arrived on Friday evening, we met a few of the players at our hotel, I went into the Saturday (game day) with some trepidation! How would my Warwick army fare against so many different armies (especially those from other theatres, such as Italian wars, with their heavy Gendarmes and pike blocks)? 
I needn’t have worried…

In fact, I so enjoyed the gaming that I neglected to take any photos whatsoever. The pictures shown here are all 'pillaged' from the Billhooks FB group, most of them taken by Mike Peters (organiser extraordinaire).

Above: Simon Wilde, my first opponent, on the left expertly advances his imposing Venetian Army. On the adjacent table in the background, Andy Moran (right) plays Luke Parry (left) who would be my opponent in the second game.

First game... versus Simon Wilde’s Venetians.

Simon is a past master at handling his army, but I managed a very creditable tight-fought game, and was narrowly beaten. Sir Gregory Carrodus and the light horse were ridden down by their opponents on my left flank, and I spent a lot of arrows against the Venetian gendarmes, who I did manage to bounce off one of my Bill-Bow blocks. On my right, the Venetian Swiss Mercenary 3-company pike block juggernaut was the biggest concern as they had been screened by 2 units of crossbow armed levy (with pavises) and following their slow but inexorable advance were closing in. I managed to hold out till time was called, enduring a close defeat. It was an enjoyable, cliffhanger of a game, but I ran out of steam (and arrows). I learned a lot though…

Second game... versus v Luke Parry’s Yorkists.

This was to prove one of the most exciting wargames I have ever played, and credit goes to Luke Parry who played so well and took it to the wire, and again all in the true spirit of the game.

Above photos are by Luke Parry.

The increasingly "dolt-ish" Sir Gregory Carrodus failed to survive the action, although once again he had done a good job against the enemy horse. On my right, Mortimer of Arden along with a unit of my skirmishers and my artillery managed to hold off a couple of bow-bill blocks and some levy (with geese!) who stood rather too proudly atop a low hill to the right centre.

In the centre, Warwick’s ward was poised to receive the attack of the strongest enemy ward…It looked to be going the way of my opponent. However a twist was to come in one big final turn. With the rules author Andy Callan watching proceedings from the side-lines, my Warwick himself saved the day when, along with my foot knights, he charged and broke the enemy foot knights and precipitated a general collapse of about 4 enemy units. Typical Billhooks stuff.

At the outset, I had feared I may come last (with all the regulars seeming to know what they were talking about!), so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that after two games I was sitting joint second. However, two wargames is, in my book, more than enough for one day, and so, feeling a little battle weary, I decided (given I was well-placed not to come last!) that I would forfeit my final game and take a rest, just chatting with a few of the players and generally cooling off after a particularly hard-fought second game. Some might say, I should have pressed on for a third game, but I really was "bushed", as they say.

In the end, I finished a respectable joint 7^th along with John K (out of 18). Andy M finished a very impressive 4^th. A good showing by the Old Berks.

Thanks to my opponents, Simon and Luke, for hard-fought, fun-filled games in the spirit of Billhooks, to Andy M and John K for their company over the weekend, and to Andy Callan, Ian Callan, and Stephen Wood for their company over dinner.

Thanks also to the guys at Bristol Independent Gaming store for hosting the event and to Mike Peters for organising and running the whole thing.

Above: the assembled throng, post match.
Mike Peters needed a lie down at the end of the day!!

Great fun, and I will definitely do more of these.

It’s Partizan this weekend… I need to stock up on more soldiers! Procurement list at the ready…

See you there.

A "Finished" Army, a Game, and a BIG Event

A few weeks ago, I "finished" my Wars of the Roses Warwick contingent... at least to the point where I can field a couple of variations within the framework of the Never Mind the Billhooks army list.

In all, it took me around 4 months to paint, with lots of diversions elsewhere too.

The final couple of units were: an artillery piece, and a unit of light horse with their leader (Squire Gregory Carrodus).

Then came the first game for the completed army (I had previously been fielding a couple of proxy units here or there).

This was a game against Andy Moran's highly experienced Burgundians (aka the army of The Duchy of Haut-Dijon). 

Once again, Billhooks served up a really flowing, roller-coaster of a game, packed with incident, and with a large dollop of "luck" for me... Andy's artillery did, of course, explode early on. I am pleased to report that the new units on my side fared rather well, with Squire Gregory Carrodus (a "dolt", of course), leading his horse to a decent victory in the melee with the enemy cavalry. Sadly, in the subsequent morale test, my cavalry decided that enough was enough, they'd done their bit, and it was time to head for home! Such are the vagaries of the system.

Shortly afterwards, however, I managed to draw the ambush card and poured a volley from some skirmishers into the ranks of a unit of Haut-Dijon cavalry who were threatening to maraud round to my rear. 

And finally, at the crucial moment, there was a hailstorm which so wetted the bowstrings of both armies that there was no archery for a turn, at a point where I was able to charge home a couple of units, including Warwick's foot knights, and the 'Bill and Bow' block under Mortimer of Arden who had been threatening the Haut-Dijon left flank all game. Now was their chance, and in they went. With them not taking casualties on the way in, they managed to roll well in the melees causing considerable damage to a couple of key Haut-Dijon blocks, and the game was up. A victory for Warwick!!

Regardless of the result, I can say that every game of Billhooks is enjoyable, played in the right spirit, and does look rather striking and colourful on the tabletop. Andy has been doing a lot of work on the tabletop paraphernalia, as have I, creating things such as tokens and the like, to make it more aesthetically pleasing. In the end, it's all just a bit of fun!

This coming weekend, the army is heading (with me) to Bristol for the BIG Billhooks weekend event. I'm looking forward to it, although I suspect I may have used up all my luck for a while!

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