Ok, big post here.
Let me introduce you to my commanders and their flags.
To recap, this project is currently 'generic' European warfare, and I use my own made up heraldry. I have put together lots of different commanders with their own heraldry, the plan they can be mixed up for each game so it's not always the same two commanders fighting eachother. Currently I have nine commanders with coats of arms, four of which also have separate badges on livery banners. There will be more in the future.
I used the Perry Wars of the Roses command figures for most of these - I really like these figures, they have great poses. I put a lot of thought into how to use each pose, and made sure each commander is consistent with their little retinue - either in standing / commanding poses, or leading the troops from the front line. They are all based individually, with the exception of two who are based with their standard bearers. I also conveniently made the four main ones red, green, blue and yellow.
Here's the first one - absolutely my favourite of the Perry commander sculpts. Again I put a lot of thought into matching up the mounted figures with appropriate horses, not wanting to duplicate any horses (there are only a few of these metal 'commander horse' sculpts).
Here's his coat of arms, and his badge of a hawk's lure.
I have three infantry standard bearers with his badge, to align units to him.
Next up, the green commander. He's on foot, waving a battle axe, more likely to get into the thick of the fighting.
His badge is a white swan, here are his infantry standard bearers.
I also have a mounted version of him and his banner, to lead the cavalry from the front.
Next, the blue commander. This is one of the two who I decided to base with his banner-man.
His badge is a buckle.
I also have another version of him on foot, to lead the infantry.
Here's Mr Yellow. Another one based with his banner-man.
His badge is a caltrop.
And again, there is another version of him on foot to lead the infantry.
So those are the only four with additional livery banners. Now there are several that just have their own personal banner, so are perhaps lower-ranking.
This one is on foot, will look good leading a defending army behind fortifications. The commander himself is one of the excellent sculpts from Steel Fist Miniatures, my favourite of the batch.
This one, also on foot, is in an attacking pose and so works well leading an infantry unit.
Same goes for this guy.
The foot men-at-arms in their retinues aren't specifically assigned for them - I have a good collection of them that can be assigned as retinues as needed each game, or to be used as commanders themselves.
I've also got a couple of banners for commanders leading the cavalry - there aren't specific commander models for them.
Now let's see some of these flags in context.
Here's three infantry units being led by the blue commander. The commander himself and his banner is in the middle unit, and the other two units have the livery flags.
Here are the same units led by one of the lesser commanders without a badge, so the two outer units don't have any flags.
And some other examples of how they could be used....