Earl of Salisbury Retinue Archers: Wars of the Roses

These retinue archers were painted for me by Leuthen Studios. The Salisbury badge on the archer's livery is by Citadel Six. I have a number of retinues under way to help build my Yorkist Wars of the Roses Army. The artist, Richard, has done a great job with these Perry metal 28mm figures. Perry has a box of plastic archers/billmen. However I think I prefer the sculpting and the poses of this metal set. The livery jackets they are wearing, along with the retinue billmen, are very useful for creating the Riding Retinues of the the various magnates from the white and the red rose.

Richard Neville, the Earl of Salisbury, was of course the father of Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick and known to history as the Kingmaker. Salisbury was a very important early supporter of Richard Duke of York, supplying many retainers to fight at First St Albans. In addition to the badges, Geoff at Citadel Six has created excellent banners and flags for the Earl. Highly recommended.

Battle of Bosworth Field, 22nd August 1485,

Many years ago when visiting Bosworth Field, maybe mid 1980's, I purchased a print of the heraldry of the participants. It looks like it may have been copied from a water colour original by the artist Peter Russell, dated 1981. It may have been commissioned in anticipation of the 500th anniversary of the battle, and just as the battlefield restoration was in full swing with the new museum and visitor's center and flags on the battlefield.

Anyway, the Perry's new Wars of the Roses 28mm figures in plastic and metal have me thinking a lot about heraldry and badges of the principal participants. The print is somewhat fanciful with a mix of gothic armour and armour for the joust. However I thought this might be useful for modelers wishing to paint the tabards and coats of their figures in heraldry. The new Foot Knights set in particular allow this with several new models.

Anyway, with thanks to Peter Russell for this poster which I have kept on various walls for over 40 years, here are some photos of his work.

Battle of Bosworth: Death of King Richard III, 1485

I have decided to sell this 54mm vignette by Grenada. It is currently listed on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151384511909?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

This very rare set by Grenada of Russia features 2 mounted and 2 dismounted 54mm metal figures, designated P3208-P3209-P3210-P3211. The vignette shows the death of King Richard III in the closing moments of the Battle of Bosworth, 1485, during the Wars of the Roses.

The animation and painting of the figures is outstanding. 

This is Russian craftsmanship at its best.