15mm Essex

Medieval, Later Medieval
and Early Renaissance

by David Barnes

Brian Gregory has been working hard over the last few months to produce these figures, which all blend into one another - we name the historic periods to 'hang events on hooks', sometimes forgetting history is a continuous flow. Brian has tried to give as many variations of clothing and head-variants as he can - all extra work - the complete listings show more than 68 castings with variants in the Feudal/Early Medieval list and 57 in the Later Medieval/Early Renaissance. 12 items of equipment are also recorded include: carts, bombard, pavisses, canon, archers stakes and scaling ladders! There are 21 figures to review and some horses. I will write about all the figures and draw some of them. If you don't see what you would like to, send for some samples. NB I am describing odd figures from packs so other figures in the packs are differentiated.

To begin with the Feudal/Early Medieval:

MID 3 Mounted Knight 1150-1200 assorted conical helms, mail surcoat, kite shield, lance. Barded horse. Example. Toes down to help brace himself against the cantle of the saddle when he hits someone with his lance. The lance is across the body and he's looking out for another target - ie looking ¼ right.

MID 12. Assorted mounted knights. 1200-1350 assorted helms, hooded cloak, heater shield, mace (axe or sword) unarmoured horse. (Suitable for religious orders, Teutonic knights etc). A menacing figure, mace raised visor with double breathers.

MID 21. Mounted crossbowman, mail coat and coif. The crossbow is a simple latch of course. Quarrels in a case on his left hip behind his swords.

MID 28. Assorted light bowmen, assorted pointed helmets. Simple tunic, quiver behind his right hip, short cross hilt sword on left hip in a Renaissance angle i.e. almost parallel to the ground.

MID 40. Light/medium spearmen, large shield, kettle helm. Heater shield, ragged surcoat, sword or left hip. Good animation.

MID 47. Heavy spearmen, scale corselet pointed helm, large shield. "In reserve" figure.

MID 56. Light/medium crossbowmen, pointed helmet. Case/quiver for quarrels/bolts on his right hip, quilted jack, reinforced helmet, crossbow case to be cut off base and stuck to hands - in aiming position.

The horses are the usual competent Essex variety with differentiated poses.

Now Later Medieval Early Renaissance

MER 8. Mounted knight 1400-1430. Full plate, great helm (mace, sword), axe, armoured horse. Visor up, gesturing with a small axe, looking right. Horse has ribbed "Gothic" armour like Albrecht Durer's drawing of a rhino. One piece casting (OPC). Helmless General-type figure, plate armour sword down by side, looking 3/4 right. Crownlike circlet on his "pageboy" haircut. Very commanding figure - cannot find his list number.

Another OPC. Trumpeter going full gallop on lively horse, excellent animation. Wears a sallet with a scarf round the skull.

MER 15. Heavy Archer preparing to fire. Barbute helmet over mail coif. Clump of arrows stuck pile down in the ground by his right foot.

MER 26. Assorted medium/heavy handgunners. A barbute sallet wearer in the aim, knee kops, greaves. Shot bag at his belt right side, sword on his left.

MER 28. Assorted medium/heavy billmen. Bill held across the body. Sallet on the back of his head mail short sleeved tunic with surcoat.

MER ?. Pikeman "at ease". Barbute helmet, plate armour.

Final Packet MER 37. Noble. Plumed great helm, buoffant slashed sleeves, lance. His horse also has full armour and plumes on its chamfron.

MER 39. Assorted handgunners/arquebusiers. Two of these - one has a helmet and rested weapon, the other has a plumed round hat and a sabre-like weapon for self defence.

MER 40. Assorted heavy pikemen. 3/4 armour with plumed broad brimmed hat. The epitome of Landsknecht. Pike at 45 degrees.

MER 42: Assorted Heavy Halbadier. Basic gouge and maul, 3/4 armour closed helmet, katzenbalder behind left elbow.

MER 56:Assorted medim swordsmen. Sword and buckler man. Trotting along -- agility was important to their style of fighting.

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