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Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: giorgio on 27 December 2023, 08:41:54 AM
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On 11 June 1289, in Campaldino, in a narrow valley between Florence and Arezzo, two large armies clashed. 20,000 infantry and over 2,000 knights divided by ideological rivalries, hegemonic desires and of course economic interests. In fact, the Tuscan cities were become Guelph (for the Pope) and Florence had risen to the rank of a regional power, the Ghibellines (for the Emperor) were reduced to exile and find refuge in last strongholds such as Pisa and Arezzo. Now the war is for them a war of survival, in an international context that saw the imperials in serious difficulty, for the Guelphs it is one of affirmation of a leadership and a centrality that cannot accept rivals or resistance. After two years of uncertain progress and fluctuating fortunes, the conflict is decided in a single clash, a battle between factions (a civil war, with exiles militating on both sides). In Campaldino, among the knights of the first line, the “feditori”, those who would have had to carry out the most daring actions, there is a young Dante Alighieri who will not forget the chilling scenes of that bloody day, leaving traces of them in his Comedy.
In Genoa club Garibaldi we have taken the task to reproduce it, trying to implement the last historic studies, fidelity to heraldic and deployment. To play it we have chosen “Sword and spear” rules, with specific amendment and modifications to keep it balanced and with specific historical episodes, often taken from Dante’s Comedy.
In the following posts, if you are interested, we’ll go on explaining heraldry, rules, anecdotes. Miniatures are mostly Mirliton. But let’s start with introducing the armies.
Historically there were about 800 knights and 8000 infantries for Ghibellines, while Guelphs were approx. 1350 knights and 8000 infantries plus other 4000 low level militia with baggage etc. These numbers have been converted with a scale of about 100 knights and 500 infantries for each base, that means:
Ghibellines 8 cavalry 10-infantry 4 crossbow 2 archers
Guelphs 12 cavalry 12 foot 4 palvesari (pavises) 2 archers plus baggage attendants, countrymen etc
Actual map:
(https://i.postimg.cc/4dwmVrkn/Deployment-2.png)
Let’s start with Ghibellines:
12 paladini are the best of the best, supposed to crash any obstacle. Recent studies propose they wanted just hit and then retreat to provoke the guelphs to pursue and fall in the trap to be encircled by the remaining Arretine knights. They were so effective, even if only 12, that disbanded Florentine first line, and the other Ghibellines knights closed on disbanded Guelphs, but were encircled by infantry and then crushed by reserve under Corso Donati, hitting the flank, while Ghibelline’s reserve under Guido Novello retreated in his close castle in Poppi.
I think probably they wanted just disperse the guelphs knights, as Ghibellines were higher quality fighters and almost succeeded. The stratagem by Baron Mangiadori to deploy baggage and militia at the end of Florentine army avoided their disruption and allowed that the larger number pays the victory.
Next topics will be dedicated to specific armies and their specific heraldic, and the anectodes reported in gaming cards driven by Alighieri’s Comedy verses to generate balance and surprises.
(https://i.postimg.cc/GhTmmB24/palvesaro.jpg)
In this picture red palvesari standard bearer, wip (there are 4 palvesari bases, 2 red company and 2 white one, in the 2 horns of the army, as per above map).
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Impressive and very interesting. Lookinf forward to the next post :-*
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Very interesting indeed 8)
May I ask, where are you looking for your sources for heraldry on the battle please?
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Paldini Ghibellini : https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=136897.0
some useful info on my blog page 8)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdAsFRWSKANQfDf_TzOACA0KiV9dXISchPtjGIsW1kFxHC_gQIapu_24-FAxI25stP4hBIrGKoD7zdJRRcy_cPDMZJQpKItQ8mzeFy2MZ3RFP0B508ioCygf_ZLuzxiStJi0yzsxG1KCoboaB5J7Gohl0IQIiIj_eNEkRxqAYb0GJOU6j77MUsMXW/s1360/z-campaldino-paladini.jpg)
https://pippoweb.blogspot.com/2022/05/campaldino-paladini-ghibellini.html
Ciao
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(https://i.postimg.cc/GhTmmB24/palvesaro.jpg)
Wonderful painting of that flag and bearer, Giorgio! The introduction is very good as well - it is already promising a lot of entertainment for us spectators... :D
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Very interesting indeed 8)
May I ask, where are you looking for your sources for heraldry on the battle please?
Atheling, you are more than welcome. Most are italian sources, are you italian?
Il sabato di S. Barnaba
La battaglia di Campaldino. Catalogo della mostra allestita a Bibbiena, Castel San Niccolà, Stia e Poppi (Arezzo) nel 1989 Ediz.Elect, 1989 AAVV
Ideazione mostra e catalogo Scramasax.
La battaglia di Campaldino a Poppi 11 giugno 1289
Edizioni Sramasax 1998 AAVV
Gli eroi di Campaldino 11 giugno 1289
Federico Canaccini
Edizioni Scramasx 2002
Guerre e assoldati in Toscana 1260-1364
Fondazione museo Stibbert
AAVV ottobre 1982
Montaperti. La battaglia nel diorama di Mario Venturi
Edizioni scramasax 2000 AAVV
1289 la battaglia di Campaldino
Federico Canaccini
Edizioni Laterza 2021
La battaglia di Campaldino 1289
Dante, Firenze e la contesa tra i comuni
Niccolò Capponi Kelly DeVries
Edizioni Leg 2019
Titolo originale : Campaldino 1289: The battle that made Dante.
Osprey 2018
Istoria genealogica delle famiglie nobili Toscane et Umbre, Vol1 Eugenio Gamurrini
Battaglie di immagini tra Guelfi e Ghibellini nella Toscana comunale
Federico Canaccini
STVDI MEDIEVALI SERIE T E R Z A Anno LIII - Fasc. II 2 0 1 2
Famiglie fiorentine Guelfe e Ghibelline
ing. Pierluigi Carnesecchi La Spezia anno 2005
A lot of investigations involved the study of single cities fights between guelphs and ghibellines, than the family heraldic was investigated in internet.
An example is Guidarello d'Orvieto, standard bearer often depicted with the shield with Orvieto eagle. We decided to paint the colours of his family, ghibelline Filippeschi
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Paldini Ghibellini : https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=136897.0
some useful info on my blog page 8)
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdAsFRWSKANQfDf_TzOACA0KiV9dXISchPtjGIsW1kFxHC_gQIapu_24-FAxI25stP4hBIrGKoD7zdJRRcy_cPDMZJQpKItQ8mzeFy2MZ3RFP0B508ioCygf_ZLuzxiStJi0yzsxG1KCoboaB5J7Gohl0IQIiIj_eNEkRxqAYb0GJOU6j77MUsMXW/s1360/z-campaldino-paladini.jpg)
https://pippoweb.blogspot.com/2022/05/campaldino-paladini-ghibellini.html
Ciao
I know your blog, very interesting and very helpful. Your decals are great!!! Which part of Italy are you from? Ciao
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Wonderful painting of that flag and bearer, Giorgio! The introduction is very good as well - it is already promising a lot of entertainment for us spectators... :D
Thanks for the kind words. This bearer and flag are painted by a very talented member of our club: Eddy. He deserves your compliments ;)
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This is an impressive project. I will follow with much interest.
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Atheling, you are more than welcome. Most are italian sources, are you italian?
No. I'm from the UK and have zero Italian. Maybe google translate can be my friend in this matter?
Il sabato di S. Barnaba
La battaglia di Campaldino. Catalogo della mostra allestita a Bibbiena, Castel San Niccolà, Stia e Poppi (Arezzo) nel 1989 Ediz.Elect, 1989 AAVV
Ideazione mostra e catalogo Scramasax.
La battaglia di Campaldino a Poppi 11 giugno 1289
Edizioni Sramasax 1998 AAVV
Gli eroi di Campaldino 11 giugno 1289
Federico Canaccini
Edizioni Scramasx 2002
Guerre e assoldati in Toscana 1260-1364
Fondazione museo Stibbert
AAVV ottobre 1982
Montaperti. La battaglia nel diorama di Mario Venturi
Edizioni scramasax 2000 AAVV
1289 la battaglia di Campaldino
Federico Canaccini
Edizioni Laterza 2021
La battaglia di Campaldino 1289
Dante, Firenze e la contesa tra i comuni
Niccolò Capponi Kelly DeVries
Edizioni Leg 2019
Titolo originale : Campaldino 1289: The battle that made Dante.
Osprey 2018
Istoria genealogica delle famiglie nobili Toscane et Umbre, Vol1 Eugenio Gamurrini
Battaglie di immagini tra Guelfi e Ghibellini nella Toscana comunale
Federico Canaccini
STVDI MEDIEVALI SERIE T E R Z A Anno LIII - Fasc. II 2 0 1 2
Famiglie fiorentine Guelfe e Ghibelline
ing. Pierluigi Carnesecchi La Spezia anno 2005
A lot of investigations involved the study of single cities fights between guelphs and ghibellines, than the family heraldic was investigated in internet.
An example is Guidarello d'Orvieto, standard bearer often depicted with the shield with Orvieto eagle. We decided to paint the colours of his family, ghibelline Filippeschi
Very much appreciated Georgio. 8) I'll have a deep dive into the heraldic sources over the next week. I reckon it will take me at least that long with Google Tramslate! :D
By thed way, is the Federico Canaccin book any use for heraldry?
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I know your blog, very interesting and very helpful. Your decals are great!!! Which part of Italy are you from? Ciao
Thank you, nice work.
I''m from Florence
Ciao
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Thank you, nice work.
I''m from Florence
Ciao
I'm from Florence too, living now in Genoa. Florentine with Ghibelline army? You may be in big trouble my friend... black guelphs get the power ;)
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No. I'm from the UK and have zero Italian. Maybe google translate can be my friend in this matter?
Very much appreciated Georgio. 8) I'll have a deep dive into the heraldic sources over the next week. I reckon it will take me at least that long with Google Tramslate! :D
By thed way, is the Federico Canaccin book any use for heraldry?
Hi, a must is heroes of Campaldino by Canaccini, but out of print. if you like we can provide you some images with specific heraldry (your email?). let us know if you need help for specific words in translation . Happy you are interested in xiii century Tuscany wars. do you have any project/army on going?
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I'm from Florence too, living now in Genoa. Florentine with Ghibelline army? You may be in big trouble my friend... black guelphs get the power ;)
Yes I'm in BIG trouble. In my local club they are all guelphs >:( and in my neighborhood club all Ghibellines :-* so it's quite impossible to make good campaign games lol
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As I said before, the ambition of this topic is to provide information about building, painting and wargaming with the armies who fought at Campaldino in 1289.
The Guelphs were basically deployed with a first line of feditori,, one of them Dante Alighieri. It was a researched honor for the warrior-minded ghibellines, perhaps less for the wealthier guelph merchants' sons. Florence was divided in 6 sestieri (sixth) and each sestiere had to provide 25 feditori (25 x 6 = 150 feditori overall).. One of the Florentine most important leader was Vieri dei Cerchi. It is told that, as the knights of his Sixth (San Piero, yellow pennons) were hesitating, he offered himself (although very old) and his relatives. In front of this act of courage, many others (or for sincere emulation, either for fear of shame) volunteered.
In the picture of S.Piero wip cavalry base; from the left: Pazzi (descendant from Pazzo di Ranieri, the first knight to climb Jerulasem wall during the first crusade, Pazzi of Florence to be not confused with ghibelline Pazzi of Valdarno), Vieri de Cerchi (one of army leaders, see above) and the poet Dante Alighieri (he was feditore for S.Piero).
(https://i.postimg.cc/kGD5XPPC/San-Piero-CAV.jpg)
After these feditori, the main cavalry body, with about 1000 knights including also allied cities that we have represented with bases of San Gimignano, Bologna, Guelphs of Arezzo (I anticipated that it was a civil war too), in the reserve Lucca and Pistoia and in the main body also a base of Pagani, from Romagna.
The commands are 3 bases: the main is the command of the army: Narbona (French angioin) with his tutor Durfort (the real leader) and the Anjou banner brought by Gherardo Ventraia de Tornaquinci, another base with the wise Baron dei Mangiadori, podestà (major) in San Miniato with Malpighi Ciccioni (leader of S.Miniato soldiers) and a standard bearer, and the reserve under Corso Donati (podestà in Pistoia) and a pistoiese standard bearer. All these will be posted later on.
In this one I want to show you also a wip picture, by our talented member Eddy, of Maghinardo Pagani from Susinana, named “the devil”. He, from ghibelline family, was given as hostage to Florence when he was a child and never fought all his lifelong against Florence, so that his enemies called him guelph in Florence and ghibelline in Romagna. Dante, writing about him, says he changes side from summer to winter and calls him the blue lion on white nest.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XvFd4FcL/Maghinardo-Pagani.jpg)
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Giorgio, what an impressive thread. The figures are absolutely gorgeous! I find the topic very interesting and will follow it with interest.
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Yes, fascinating thread and great paint jobs too!
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Agreed- the figures look stunning :-*
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Our analysis of Guelph army continues dealing with a special Florentine unit: pavesari (or palvesari). The unit is composed by long spears, crossbows and great shields called pavesi. Shield and spear are not brought by the same soldier, the big shield with a dedicated bearer allowed the crossbow to concentrate on aiming and shooting.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BvPvSDzC/Palv-C2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tJQkShKv/Palv-E2.jpg)
The tactic was: wait all together behind the pavesi, hitting with the long spears, while the crossbows (and archers and slingers) decimate the enemies, the shields advance one step after another and at the end all go out to hit and kill the routed enemies.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fb7RSZw3/Palv-F2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/C1BYHg0H/Palv-G2.jpg)
The bishop Guglielmino Ubertini, old and short sight leader of the Ghibelline army, arriving in the plain and looking at the guelph army asked: “Which walls are those?” The answer was “the enemies pavesi!”
(https://i.postimg.cc/BbJjhbvf/Palv-A.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKJGvWVs/Palv-B.jpg)
The name pavese seems to derive from latin pavare, recover, and it seems it was early adopted by Florence. It was one of the best tactics of the period and a tactical advantage for guelphs.
(https://i.postimg.cc/05J6fg2N/Palv-I.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZRLJfLgV/Palv-L.jpg)
There were 2 companies: red pavesari on the left horn and white pavesari, on the right guelph army one, their flags had reversed colours with Florence iris in the centre. We have represented them with two bases each. Most soldiers are Mirliton, but many figurines are modified with green stuff, Mirliton and Perry crossbows some Fireforge heads.
The crossbows companies were formed by citizens coming from all the sixth, and received a periodical training more frequent than the infantry companies belonging to the sixth (sestieri).
In a following post the 4 bases going to be completed.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TwvrjRMn/Palv-D2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/g0sZh3sb/Palv-H2.jpg)
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That's really impressive and wonderful work, by all of you at your club! :-*
I especially love the Pagani miniature; that's a lot of painstaking dots.
All of this is really inspiring and rekindling old ambitions to paint up two armies to represent the Hook and Cod wars in the Netherlands. A bit later, for sure, but the same internescine fighting between neighbouring cities.
Please show us more of your project; it's absolutely one to follow :)
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That's really impressive and wonderful work, by all of you at your club! :-*
I especially love the Pagani miniature; that's a lot of painstaking dots.
All of this is really inspiring and rekindling old ambitions to paint up two armies to represent the Hook and Cod wars in the Netherlands. A bit later, for sure, but the same internescine fighting between neighbouring cities.
Please show us more of your project; it's absolutely one to follow :)
Daeothar, thanks for the kind words, hereafter Maghinardo the “Devil” and other Pagani knights almost ready to be based! If you like Italian wars too, it is interesting to underline that the area controlled by Pagani will be the country of gallant Italian pikes, often under Venetian command: the famous Romagnoli. Maghinardo survived to Campaldino and his friendship with Florence allowed him to enlarge his lands.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FsVY5g8f/Magh-1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/V6XY9zcS/Magh-2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k4PCgLt7/Magh-3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gcDpGScP/Magh-4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HxmGg5fx/Magh-5.jpg)
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Those are some very beautiful miniatures. Many thanks for sharing these updates, they are very much appreciated. It's going to be a spectacular project once completed!
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Wow, that's truly stunning! Wonderful painting, and they look even better based up. Hopefuly we'll get to see them in some nice big units!
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Stunning, simply stunning.
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Really beautiful! I am doing a project on campaldino/montaperti too and this post are really inspirational.
Can I ask you how did you do your flags? Unfortunatly there isn't much on internet about this period
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Gorgeous work! The hand painted shields and heraldry are top notch.
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Really beautiful! I am doing a project on campaldino/montaperti too and this post are really inspirational.
Can I ask you how did you do your flags? Unfortunatly there isn't much on internet about this period
Thanks Marco. . Many flags are in "la Battaglia di Campaldino" Scramasax 2017, mainly pages from 57 to 61. Following this thread you'll see many of them and of main families Are you in Italy?
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Really beautiful figures - the painting is great and the attention to historical detail too
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Daje Giorgio! Continue on posting! :-*
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Thanks Marco. . Many flags are in "la Battaglia di Campaldino" Scramasax 2017, mainly pages from 57 to 61. Following this thread you'll see many of them and of main families Are you in Italy?
Yes i'm from Bologna
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Yes i'm from Bologna
Continuing the analysis of Guelph cavalry body, I’ll post about the guelph city of Bologna and its knights (in Garibaldi club we haven’t represented foot from Bologna, due to the need of limiting the number of bases to play, so at club we had to decide some drastic cut, some cities had a cavalry base, some a foot one, some as S.Gimignano both). Hereafter some Bologna Knights WIP pictures, dedicated to Marco.
We have painted Giovanni Basacomare, raised to the fame of brave captain in Campaldino (Ghirardacci, Hist. v. 1, pag. 287, 514)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgsDwkGQ/Bologna-Casamari1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NFFTQM0y/Bologna-Casamari2.jpg)
He is supported by a knight of guelph Bacilieri family
(https://i.postimg.cc/L8KT3tXN/Bologna-Bacilieri1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/W1sPfJYw/Bologna-Bacilieri2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/G26jHGs0/Bologna-Bacilieri3.jpg)
And by one of guelph Boccadiferro, painted in club as Bologna standard bearer
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1qQFhhZ/Bologna-Bocca-di-ferro.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/6qmT9f7R/Bologna-Boccadiferro2.jpg)
Often the battle is recorded as Florence against Arezzo, but both armies included knights from many cities and exiles. After the battle Florence prepared an inscription to celebrate it, but the Aretine guelphs wanted to change it: not Florence over Arezzo but over Ghibelline. Bruni in his Dante’s life refers that it was inscripted defeated Ghibelline so that winning aretine guelph did not claim.
(https://i.postimg.cc/HkfZJGGv/Bologna-1.jpg)
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Gorgeous!
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Great thread and wonderful brush work! :-*
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Beautiful miniatures, really interesting and exciting, I can't wait for the next post. Above all because I find that Campaldino is not treated often and when it happens I appreciate it very much.
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... dedicated to Marco.
i appreciate it very much! i will copy these colors for sure
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Peccato che siano guelfacci lol
NICE! Giorgio keep on painting :-*
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Your figures are beautiful, and the campaign you ahve chosen a fascinating one!
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Florence, or better, Guelph cavalry is represented by 12 bases , 6 of which are the units of 6 different sestieri (sixth). Each sestiere has 1 base of cavalry and 1 of infantry.
Hereafter for Oltrarno (white pennons) images of wip of Sozzo Guicciardini, which will represent his sixth with one knight of two important family: Mozzi and Bardi.
That of the Guicciardini family is a speaking heraldic coat of arms, which alludes to the name of the house:
(https://i.postimg.cc/XqVQZK71/sozzo1.jpg)
three "guicciarde" (i.e. hunting horns), symbol of the favorite hobby of the nobles of the time.
Hereafter 2 pictures of Sozzo in WIP:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kv3gPkk0/sozzo2.jpg)
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As I anticipated, the guelph city of San Gimignano has 2 bases: cavalry and infantry, all WIP.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DyrVNwZV/sg1.jpg[)
For the cavalry base we have chosen 3 guelph family knights: Useppi, Pellari and Salvucci (standard bearer). Salvucci was the important guelph family opposed to mighty Ghibelline family Ardinghelli, so we decided to give him the honor of the city flag.
(https://i.postimg.cc/2jd2Rb4x/sg2.jpg)
Pellari’s shield is from Mirliton (as most of the soldiers).
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1SPHYY5/sg3.jpg)
Useppi were powerful Siena citizens, owners of many castles. In 1214 they settled in San Gimignano where they went to live in the Palace with the Useppi tower (San Gimignano is called the towers city, they were 72!), next to the Palace of Podestà (Major).
[img (https://i.postimg.cc/yxWmZdbD/useppi1.jpg)
[img (https://i.postimg.cc/j52w81Q9/useppi2.jpg)
[img (https://i.postimg.cc/2SX7CncP/useppi3.jpg)
[img (https://i.postimg.cc/fTdNcvXv/useppi4.jpg)
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Lovely stuff! The knights in full heraldry are particularly inspiring. Looking forward to seeing some full units of cavalry together.
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Agreed- this is some gorgeous work :o
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stunning paint job.. :o :o
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Campaldino Wargame – Armies List, House Rules and Battleground.
For our Campaldimo wargame in Genoa Garibaldi club we decided to use the Sword & Spear ruleset, the army lists used are those proposed in the Communal Italian 7.06 - S&S 7 Medieval Army Lists, no modifications were necessary.
But I would like to highlight some unit interpretations:
• The better discipline of the Ghibelline knights is due to the fact that they were mostly feudal lords with a martial background and in general the Ghibelline Calvary was more motivated.
• In the Guelf rank we outline the infantry “Palvesari” or “Pavesari” to represent the left and right wings, two units of crossbowmen with pavises were equipped with additional long spears and reduced fire capacity.
• We chose the low Discipline for both Militia Spearmen contingents to characterize the limited infantry involvement in the battle.
Sword & Spear Army list data:
• Guelph Army. Points Total: 447, #Dice 15, Army Value 56
• Ghibelline Army. Points Total: 445, #Dice 12, Army Value 45
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z5174dBT/a-guelph.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sX81NsH0/b-ghibelline.png)
During our playtesting, the Sword & Spear rules have supported the historical simulation very well, the cavalries assault and the consequent counter-charges with the Sword & Spear rule of action dice and activations by value order make any tactical choices difficult. Infantry unit armed with spears with a good activation dice management, are too tough for a cavalry charge. A badly timed “hit” that causes the cavalry to lose its status as a "fresh" unit can ruin any plan.
To simulate the peculiarities of the Campaldino battle, we created a tailored stratagem, some minor variations to the rules and a deck of Event Cards for the two factions to present the events of the battle.
The New Stratagem is “The charge of the 12 Paladins”: This event and the corresponding Token are available for the Ghibelline player, to be used in the first phase of the first a turn on a Guelph Knights unit. Assign a Hit to the unit, furthermore Guelph Knights unit cannot move or attempt a Rally for the entire turn. This stratagem put the Ghibelline in an upper hand position, the opportunity to charge a cavalry unit that cannot benefit from the Impact rule is too tempting to be missed. But, the revenge of the Guelf could be devastating. The randomly drawn from the action dice bag and their allocation can drastically change the start of the battle.
The House Rules:
• Shooting that hits the target unit side has +1, the back +2.
• Light Foot units (skirmish) defend with 3 dice against shooting.
• Army demoralisation: if Cavalry Knights Unit it is routed, an action dice is lost and the value of the lost cavalry unit increased by an extra 1, for a total of 5, for army demoralization calculation purposes. This change was necessary to underline the moral impact of the Knights' fate on the entire army. The result is that the loss of elite mounted units quickly leads to a morale army test.
• Reserve Activation: to activate the reserves: starting from the first turn you can assign the activation dice to the reserves, but a check if it is possible to use the assigned die must be rolled, for each die you allocate you must roll a 6 in the 1st turn, then 5+ in the 2nd turn up to 2+ from the 5th round forwards.
The Event Cards: Fifteen cards were designed for each faction to empathize and re-enactment real battle events. The cards randomly draw (3 cards per side) at the start of the turn, played before the first action phase or reshuffled in the faction deck. Here some example:
• What city are those walls? Guelf event card: The sight of the Florentine pavises intimidates the Ghibellines who lose 2 dice, of those drawn in the first phase of the turn. (…Bishop Guglielmino degli Ubertini, who had poor eyesight, asked: "What walls are those?" was answered: “The enemy's palvesi”.)
• Good news, Reinforcements are arriving! Guelf event card: The certainty that Corso Donati will throw himself into the figth allows an extraordinary recovery test to be carried out for all units with losses not in contact with the enemy.
• “The other who drowned while running to hunt” (Purgatory Canto VI:1-24). Ghibelline event card: Guccio dei Tarlati di Pietramala (Ghibelline) is convinced that he will die by drowning in the Arno. The Tarlati Knights unit must test morale twice.
• The great pandemonium: Ghibelline event card: The dust raised by the horses hides the enemy, the range of all missile units are reduced to only two DU for the entire turn. Reserves cannot try activation this turn.
• Hit an Alighieri. Ghibelline event card: A certain Durante of Alighiero degli Alighieri known as "Dante" ended up under the Ghibelline blades. Future Italian students say thank you, no one will have to study the Divine Comedy. Add value 1 to the Guelph Army Demoralization if a Guelph cavalry unit suffers at least one Hit in the Turn.
Some cards have a notable impact on the battle, but this applies to both sides. In a balanced game they might seem "dishonest" but if you accept the idea that fate is inevitable and history must repeat itself they are fun to use.
(https://i.postimg.cc/j5j8R0Qb/c-aretine-cards.png)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gp6ySmnB/d-florentine-cards.png)
Finally, to create the right initial condition for the Campaldino battle and to be align with the Sword & Spear rules set, a very aggressive placement of the two sides was designed. The distance of 5 DU between the "Feditori" Cavalieri units is to allow the charge on the first turn with an action die equal to 6 or with a double.
(https://i.postimg.cc/fyZ6cgYq/e-delpoyment.png)
Our next game will be played with the house rule that cavalry unit value is increased to 5 for army demoralization calculation purposes, until now we reach the first Army Morale Test between the fourth and sixth turn.
Note: for the Italian player: se desiderate il materiale dello scenario di Campaldino: army list, carte evento e regole aggiunte contattateci privatamente. Se volete vedere il risultato finale e magari giocare la battaglia siete invitati a “Hellana Games”, domenica 14 Aprile ad Agliana (Pistoia).
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An important contribution to the Guelph victory was provided by the little city of San Miniato, previously known as San Miniato al tedesco. These two words make reference to Frederick II who was also King of Germany (thus the word Tedesco which means German in Italian).
The impact of S.Miniato was given not only by the little contingent of soldiers and knights, but by Baron Mangiadori who was born in San Miniato and was podestà in Siena (major). He deliberated to keep all salmerie in the back to allow the rally of defeated troops , avoiding winning Ghibelline to break through Guelphs scattered knights.
(https://i.postimg.cc/8CnTy8Wm/fanteria-San-Miniato-al-tedesco.jpg[)
The San Miniato troops were under Malpiglio Ciccioni Malpigli, who is depicted in the WIP base with Mangiadori (red horse) and a Florentine standard bearer. They are the second command base of Guelph army.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QCgGZvBP/mangiadori.jpg)
Ironically he was previously twice the podestà in Arezzo where he had many friends.
The Florentine chronicler Dino Compagni, after having defined Baron de Mangiadori as "a frank and expert knight in matters of arms" (p. 13), has him deliver a heartfelt speech to the Florentine and allied troops before the battle: "Gentlemen, the wars in Tuscany are usually won attacking; and they didn't last, and few men died there, because it wasn't the custom to kill them. Now the way has changed, and they won in order to stand firm. That's why I advise you to stay strong, and let them attack."
They allowed the ghibelline to attack, stood firm and won the day.
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Love me a good command base! Gorgeous work as always :)
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One of the key “Hero” of Campaldino was Corso Donati, a modern Catilina. After the battle, at the end of century he was the leader of black guelph (for the Pope without compromises) against the white guelph under Vieri de Cerchi, which included also Dante (see above the post on S.Piero sixth cavalry).
(https://i.postimg.cc/3JMYYFrq/tutti-1.jpg)
Guelphs leaders didn’t trust him and relegated him in the reserve with his Pistoia troops (he was Pistoia podesta) with Lucca contigent. In Garibaldi club we have represented this with two Pistoia basis (cavalry and foot) and two Lucca ones, plus his command base with a Pistoia standard bearer.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sgjXC4wr/tutti-5.jpg)
Lucca cavalry has been represented by 3 guelph knights belonging to Guinigi, Obizzi, Paruta
(https://i.postimg.cc/nLcfLdDH/lucca.jpg)
Pistoia has this 3 guelph family knights: Montemagni, Cancellieri and Bellastri
(https://i.postimg.cc/50d53rSJ/pistoia.jpg)
Corso Donati himself has been represented dismounted, probably looking at the battle development (WIP).
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kz1z1cMv/donati.jpg)
He was ordered to remain back and , if the battle was going to be lost, cover the army retreat.
(https://i.postimg.cc/X77PdZv8/tutti-2.jpg)
But in the topic moment, when the engulfed Ghibelline cavalry was going to receive the support by their running infantry, he said “that they come to hang me in Pistoia“.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DfC6Vx2r/tutti-3.jpg)
And riding in front of his Pistoia and Lucca knights he galloped into the fight, surprising the Ghibelline knights on their flank and dividing them from the incoming infantry.
(https://i.postimg.cc/KzjKtrdb/tutti-4.jpg)
The Ghibelline reserve leaded by Guido Novello saw his charge and, thinking that the day was lost , quit. Corso Donati, nicknamed the Great Baron, got the day, even if… with still WIP bases (pictures are taken during rules amendments tests!!!
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Gorgeous work!
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Red pavesari unit is ompleted, represented by 2 bases (as the white one):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kcwqkjfs/RP1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T16KFrG4/RP2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX12nD4M/RP3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FHc2s3QZ/RP4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3rk7QyWL/RP5.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pLxgryXM/RP6.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJHnz66h/RP7.jpg)
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May i ask you the dimensions of the bases and what ruleset you have chose to use with this models?
I'm finding difficulty to give a proper base to the pavisiers unit since they should go in groups of three (shield bearer, crossbowman and pikeman).
Btw keep the good work, this models are standing!
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That latest unit is gorgeous. I really love how you've done the quilted jackets.
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That latest unit is gorgeous. I really love how you've done the quilted jackets.
Thanks they were painted in my club by a very talented friend, Eddy.
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May i ask you the dimensions of the bases and what ruleset you have chose to use with this models?
I'm finding difficulty to give a proper base to the pavisiers unit since they should go in groups of three (shield bearer, crossbowman and pikeman).
Btw keep the good work, this models are standing!
Ruleset is amended copy of sword & spear, see details for homerules in previous posts.
Infantry is based 6x4 cm 5 figures, pavesari are 6x6 cm 8 or 9 figures
Cavalry is based 3 figures 6x8 cm
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As always I am genuinely stunned by the quality of your painting. Please keep up the good work, oh wise one lol
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In this post it is depicted the Florentine cavalry for Sestiere “Porta del Duomo” door of the cathedral.
We have chosen three knights belonging to important Florentine families: Adimari, Marignolli and Tosinghi.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wz8CcXGC/trio-1.jpg)
Adimari was a powerful family, in 1267 they had 19 chiefs and for this battle 22 years later we choose Talano degli Adimari, altough at Campaldino he had a marginal role and was among those who "stettono fermi" (stood still).
(https://i.postimg.cc/QNffs9L2/trio-3.jpg)
As the pennon colour for this sestiere is the only one unknown, we have given him a yellow and blue pennon, with the colour of his shield.(WIP)
Marignolli has a shield made by Mirliton,he was from an important family of the country, who had a castle out of the wall, in Marignolle, which gave the name to the family.
(https://i.postimg.cc/D0QJvb0t/tos1.jpg)
Tosinghi was another powerful family, which had dead and wounded knights in Campaldino.
Among these we choose Bindo del Baschiera dei Tosinghi, a knight who lost an eye due to a crossbow in 1261 during Fucecchio siege and died at Campaldino.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kXXX6HpV/tos-2.jpg)
Ironically Tosinghi and Ademari, allied at Campaldino, were fierce enemies during the fight between white and red guelphs in the following century.
(https://i.postimg.cc/mg9xtNBz/tos-3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0QcFLVd3/tos-4.jpg)
Choice of Bindo was driven also by his beautiful shield!
(https://i.postimg.cc/vmvNV0jB/tos-5.jpg)
All this and much more only in Genoa wargames club Garibaldi ;)
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I’m very late to see this, but they look incredible! The rampant lion heraldry is stunning :-*
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Georgia, your friend Eddy is a master artist! These minis are so fabulous and the work on the heraldry is unbelievable. Thank you for sharing them and the story of this battle :-* :-*
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One of the key “Hero” of Campaldino was Corso Donati, a modern Catilina. After the battle, at the end of century he was the leader of black guelph (for the Pope without compromises) against the white guelph under Vieri de Cerchi, which included also Dante (see above the post on S.Piero sixth cavalry).
Guelphs leaders didn’t trust him and relegated him in the reserve with his Pistoia troops (he was Pistoia podesta) with Lucca contigent.
Corso Donati himself has been represented dismounted, probably looking at the battle development (WIP).
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kz1z1cMv/donati.jpg)
He was ordered to remain back and , if the battle was going to be lost, cover the army retreat.
But in the topic moment, when the engulfed Ghibelline cavalry was going to receive the support by their running infantry, he said “that they come to hang me in Pistoia“.
And riding in front of his Pistoia and Lucca knights he galloped into the fight, surprising the Ghibelline knights on their flank and dividing them from the incoming infantry.
The Ghibelline reserve leaded by Guido Novello saw his charge and, thinking that the day was lost , quit. Corso Donati, nicknamed the Great Baron, got the day, even if… with still WIP bases (pictures are taken during rules amendments tests!!!
My favourite Donati is Buoso, the talking corpse in Puccini's Gianni Schicchi. Do you know his relation to this one?
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In Gianni Schicchi the character, the died rich one, was Buoso Donati "the old". He was uncle of Simone, Corso's father. So he was Corso's great uncle.
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Red pavesari unit is ompleted, represented by 2 bases (as the white one):
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kcwqkjfs/RP1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T16KFrG4/RP2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pX12nD4M/RP3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FHc2s3QZ/RP4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3rk7QyWL/RP5.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pLxgryXM/RP6.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJHnz66h/RP7.jpg)
These are quite lovely Georgio :-* :-* :-*
Can you give us a rundown of the manufacturers of the miniatures on display please?
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More than 90% Mirliton. Perfect for historical conformity of italian period armies.
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In Gianni Schicchi the character, the died rich one, was Buoso Donati "the old". He was uncle of Simone, Corso's father. So he was Corso's great uncle.
Thanks!
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More than 90% Mirliton.
Thanks
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As I explained before, the war cannot be read with today eyes: it was the fight between cities but also between 2 different ways to see the life, the rules of universe, the role of Pope and Emperor.
So you must not be surprised if we have dedicated a base to Arezzo guelph exiles.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1tWQWHhG/1cbbc65c-a87b-471e-9182-0aea9f5909ff.jpg)
The war was fought with a Florentine army with allies going down to Valdarno towards the rich countries to be sacked and looted, but the Aretine exiles gave the idea to feint the usual tactic but change suddenly directions going through mountain of Consuma to arrive unexpected into Casentino, just North of Arezzo.
The suggestion was very risky because if ambushed on the mountain it should have been a disaster. But the trick worked and… they arrived directly in the lands of Guglielmo Ubertini,the old bishop of Arezzo and… but that will be another post.
For the Aretine Guelphs we have chosen three powerful families: Bostoli del Contado (we gave him the flag of the “Taglia Guelfa”), on his left Albergotti and on his right Camaiani.
(https://i.postimg.cc/631Q7w3x/1f8f22b3-a83c-4785-807b-e3f3b2b12550.jpg)
After the battle a legend spoke about a lady, Ippolita degli Azzi, who organized the city under siege. His son was captive and Florentines said to open the door or he was to be killed. Ippolita refused and shocked by her courage they decided to give him back by Rinaldo dei Bostoli. An impossible love grew up but that is another story…
The demo in Agliana wargames event is coming: on April 14th! Genoa Garibaldi club will present this battle with the emended tailored sword and spear rules and the special cards with events taken by chronicles and Dante’s Comedia.
In the mean time scenario works are on going thanks to Club members, a reproduction of Certomondo Abbey included!
(https://i.postimg.cc/ncZHH0p1/campo3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/jS7vZQnG/campo4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FF0LWWTb/campo2.jpg)
All this and much more only in Genoa wargames club Garibaldi
Genoa wargaming club Garibaldi, the best one for the discerning wargamer 😉
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All of those are beautifully done! The freehand shield closeup is especially impressive.
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Agreed! Lovely stuff as always :)
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Very nice work and a fascinating history.
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Florence people didn’t want the war, but it was the only possibility for rich and noble knights to maintain the power. Without the war their influence was greatly reduced and they pushed to attack.
As we have seen the guelph army arrived into the lands of Guglielmo Ubertini, old bishop in Arezzo, that we have already met in this topic.
(https://i.postimg.cc/CMfjDz75/trio-1.jpg)
Vieri de Cerchi (we have met him before) tried to but those lands without fighting but bishop’s relatives said him that if he betrayed the Ghibellines he was to be a dead man.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZncY38DX/trio-2.jpg)
In the base we have represented him with colour of Pazzi of Valdarno. Infact he changed his colours with his nephew Guglielmo Pazzi that we’ll meet in another post.
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJ9bKrmT/guidarello-1.jpg)
At his right we have the standard bearer with the imperial flag, Guidarello Filippeschi from Orvieto.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VvLvKZMz/guidarello-2.jpg)
Usually, he is represented with the colours of his city, the withe eagle, but a member of our club made a deep research finding out the most probable description of his shield, and we have painted him accordingly.
(https://i.postimg.cc/44SXC3R6/guidarello-3.jpg)
He died in Campaldino.
(https://i.postimg.cc/DfL3NP5T/guidarello-4.jpg)
On the other side another great name in the Ghibellini hall of fame: Ordelaffi from Forlì
(https://i.postimg.cc/xd2zKRs1/ordelaffi3.jpg)
He was one of the twelve paladins who started the battle charging furiously into the guelph cavalry.
Too furiously perhaps, their stunning success caued the feeling of an easy victory and the remaining knights followed into the Guelphs trap.
(https://i.postimg.cc/htSJvjhX/ordelaffi4.jpg)
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Fascinating history, and even more beautiful miniatures! As always, thanks for posting ;)
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Guccio dei Tarlati di Pietramala was lord of Pietramala in Arezzo. Dante quotes him in Purgatory - Canto VI (The other who drowned running in the hunt).
According to some ancient commentators, he died drowned in the Arno chasing his enemies, the Bostoli (we have met this family a couple of posts before); according to others, pursued by enemies in the battle of Campaldino. Double interpretation is possible, because running in the hunt in Dante’s words can have active meaning («chase») or passive («escape, be chased»).
The Tarlati were a noble Arezzo family of Ghibelline,holding the stronghold of Pietramala (between Arezzo and Anghiari)which was the residence of this powerful family.
After Campaldino this powerful noble family of ancient origin, decreed not only the rebirth of Arezzo and Ghibelline size, but the splendor of Arezzo a few decades after. The name of the one who brought the glory of the family and founded the lordship of Arezzo few decades after Campaldino is bishop Guido Tarlati.
As we are showing Campaldino we accepted the hypotesys that Guccio was there and drowned in Arno pursued by Guelhs. Perhaps one of Bostoli family?
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yq8Yj32g/Tarlati-1.jpg)
the flag is by Mirliton
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This post is dedicated to Guido Novello, the lord who decided the fate of the battle of Campaldino. The name of the lord of Poppi castle has gone down in history because of the choice that during Campaldino battle handed over Arezzo to Florence.
(https://i.postimg.cc/nLk15ySW/Guido-cav1.jpg)
Guido Novello is a character who has gone down in history for choosing not to enter the battle, while the Aretine troops were hit hard by the Florentine one. A move that decided the fate of the battle.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Y0p0PPVd/Guido-cav12.jpg)
Both the parents of Guido Novello were openly Ghibellines, close to the cause of Frederick II and the political choices facilitated, along with the riches, the appointment of Guido Novello as podestà of Arezzo and Cortona. Aware of the importance of the alliance and the maintenance of Ghibelline power in Tuscany, he actively participated in the Battle of Montaperti in 1260 and he was among the protagonists in the Sienese victory against Florence. The battle that Dante remembers because, with the support of King Manfred, Farinata degli Uberti took part in it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FRHwngpj/Guido-cav9.jpg)
The victory led to the appointment of Guido Novello as podestà of Florence for two years and, on the death of Farinata degli Uberti (1264) he became head of the Ghibellines and imperial vicar for Tuscany.. The power of Guido Novello had reached its peak when the battle of Benevento in 1266 and the death of Manfredi led to the victory of the Guelphs. A battle that changed the role of Guido Novello forever.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wvFR9HDC/Guido-cav11.jpg)
At the beginning of the 80s relations with Arezzo, a Ghibelline city, became increasingly strong, and Guido Novello was placed at the head of the Ghibelline party; in 1289, a short time after the victory on Siena at Giostre del Toppo, was again podestà of Arezzo.
The evening before the battle in the castle of Poppi held a banquet that was to be auspicious in view of the battle. Guglielmino of the Ubertini, Guglielmo dei Pazzi, Bonconte da Montefeltro and other nobles had prepared the battle plan.
(https://i.postimg.cc/0jfTtXRd/Guido-fant1.jpg)
Guido Novello , on the threshold of his 62 years, would be placed in the rear, near the church of Certomondo, built by him perhaps after yet another excommunication.
The battle began on the right foot for the Ghibellines. The cavalry put a strain on the Florentine troops, although greater in number of men, but here in the middle of the storm of that day, the fate of the clash changed.
Corso Donati, at the time podestà of Pistoia, was with the same role of reserve Guido Novello posted in the Florentine rear when he decided with an act of insubordination to attack.
(https://i.postimg.cc/s2HJst70/Guido-fant5.jpg)
It was the move that decided the clash because the Aretines were surrounded and at that point Guido Novello decided to return to his castle, considering already lost the battle,
(https://i.postimg.cc/g2JXmrsm/Guido-fant3.jpg)
A choice that gave him serious accusations, in primis that of being a coward. The noble’s move did not help much as the Guelphs devastated his possessions. Guido Novello from that day was not the same and only three years later he died in Arezzo that had lost that central role in the political scene between Guelphs and Ghibellines because of Campaldino.
(https://i.postimg.cc/kDP2c4Ct/Guido-cav4.jpg)
In Garibaldi wargame club in Genoa his forces are represented by 2 cavalry and 2 infantry bases plus his command one. All his reserve is made by Mirliton models. Will he act differently in Agliana on April 14th? Come and see with your eyes!
(https://i.postimg.cc/Wbd8YfvN/Guido-tot.png)
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Wonderful work as always! Your explanations of the history is always very engaging and interesting, thanks for posting :)
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Guido Novello like Sackville the coward of Minden lol lol lol
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This post is for 3 important Ghibellini knights: Ubertino di Tebaldo Barbolani di Montauto, Neri Piccolino the young Uberti and Lapo di Messere Marito degli Uberti. Only the first survived and here are represented during a wargame simulation, few seconds before being wiped out by guelphs fierce countercharge, the base is in the upper center just in front of a purple dice!
(https://i.postimg.cc/2SFXbWX2/uberti-in-fight.jpg)
Ubertino di Tebaldo Barbolani di Montatuto (said “Bocca”) belongs to one of the most ancient Italian aristocratic Families and leaded the reinforces from high Tiberina valley.
Less than 70 years before his ancestor in Montauto gave to Saint Francis the tunic which the great Saint still had when he was buried in Assisi. Ubertino survived to the battle.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wvZQ1x56/uberti-1.jpg)
Neri Piccolino the young nephew of Farinata degli Uberti, leader of all Tuscany Ghibelline after Montaperti battle, who avoided the destruction of Florence. In the battle also Farinata’s son Federico died.
(https://i.postimg.cc/FR37x95F/uberti-2.jpg)
Lapo di Messere Marito degli Uberti, heroic veteran of the Sicilian wars between Angioin and Aragonese. He died in Campaldino.
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0GPZzbF/uberti-3.jpg)
The three knights are here below represented in font left of Ghibelline army:
(https://i.postimg.cc/QNgq8D9r/uberti-in-front-left.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/L5059hjT/uberti-in-front-left2.jpg)
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Fantastic stuff!
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Great reserch job and eye candy miniatures and scenario.
Bravi
Skorda
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On next Sunday the project will be presented at Hellana wargames convention.
Hereafter some pictures about the “dry run” last Wednesday:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hs4JYR0k/dry1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9MW8kvBw/dry2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSxhtz7B/dry3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hk8kJNXM/dry4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgYK6NGq/dry5.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/y605NyDN/dry6.jpg)
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Wonderful stuff! A great looking table, and brilliantly painted figures.
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Great looking game!
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Wonderful! Thanks for sharing :)
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That is beautiful work! The battlefield looks great and the figures are magnificent! Well done.
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On next Sunday the project will be presented at Hellana wargames convention.
Hereafter some pictures about the “dry run” last Wednesday:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hs4JYR0k/dry1.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9MW8kvBw/dry2.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSxhtz7B/dry3.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hk8kJNXM/dry4.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mgYK6NGq/dry5.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/y605NyDN/dry6.jpg)
Ci siamo incrociati ieri "noi" eravamo il tavolo "Clash of katanas" lol
Nice table! :-*