War of the Roses project part 1

I have had a passing interest in the War of the Roses ever since I played the old Avalon Hill board game "Kingmaker". Eventually I took up miniature wargaming but with so many other periods to choose from I had plenty of other projects to keep me busy. Last year myself and a fellow wargamer settled on a set of rules we both like and decided this year we would dedicated some of our painting time to this project.

The rules are "Bloody Barons" (image left) from Peter Pig's RFCM (Rules for Common Man) series. Designed for 15mm scale, these rules contain scenarios for all the major battles, historical organization and uniform information and like other RFCM rules it includes a point system and a pregame system.

I had originally planned to purchase my entire army from Peter Pig's 15mm but it didn't sit well with my budget at the time. So, I decided to go a cheaper route using Old Glory 15's "Rank and File" generic medieval range for the bulk of my army and use Peter Pig for command and specialty units. Unfortunately I was disappointed with most of the "Rank and File" range. The order arrived this past fall extremely flashed, appeared to scale closer to 18mm and came with unattached weapons that seemed grossly over scaled. Lastly, the range did not seem appropriate to the War of the Roses, so I went back to my original plan to use Peter Pig's range. However, the cavalry were decent enough and in the meantime my project partner who smartly went with Peter Pig in the first place had already started painting. I decided to go ahead and work on the "Rank and File" cavalry (image above) which I finished just before the winter holidays.















In the new year I placed my first order with Peter Pig which arrived within a week which is typical of their service. I now have command, flags, generals, 2 units of household infantry with bowmen and 2 units of retinue infantry with bowmen. The miniatures are clean and well sculpted, the flags came with 3 sheets of 6 unit flags and 2 sheets of 5 generals flags, plenty for a couple of armies. (image above)















I soon finished the household infantry and command. (image above) I am currently working on the household bowmen. (image below)

Process and Tools:

• Popsicle sticks, 3 miniatures mounted to each.
• Priming with Ace Hardware matte black.
• Various Enamel craft paints.
• Litko 30mm bases with adhesive magnetic bottoms.
• Wood putty, sand, flocking, static grass.
• Matte Sealer.

After completion of part one, I will follow-up with another 2 retinue units and 4 levy units. This will enable me field up to 940 points (810 without the cavalry). The Standard army point totals in Bloody Barons are 650 or 800 points (excluding scenarios). At 650 points a player has a "Warchest" to spend on pregame factors including but not limited to treachery, leadership and weather effects. If I am still able AND capable ;) I will finish up with some specialty units such as artillery, handgunners, crossbowmen and pikes.

To be continued...