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Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: IMRIE on 13 September 2014, 06:56:55 PM

Title: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: IMRIE on 13 September 2014, 06:56:55 PM
I have started to collect a force for the Lion Rampant rules. I wanted it to be a little diffrent but and use the Claymore Castings figures.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4PStuaC_1j4/VBR1GrehoAI/AAAAAAAADeg/BXnxjOOGPeg/s1600/20140913_171418-1.jpg)

Henry Bolingbroke- later to be Henry IV spent the full year of 1390 supporting the unsuccessful siege of Vilnius by Teutonic Knights with his 300 fellow knights. During this campaign Henry Bolingbroke captured Lithuanian princes and then apparently took them back to England.

His second expedition to Lithuania in 1392 illustrates the financial benefits to the Order of these guest crusaders. His small army consisted of over 100 men, including Longbow archers and six minstrels, at a total cost to the Lancastrian purse of £4,360.Despite the efforts of Bolingbroke and his English crusaders, two years of attacks on Vilnius proved fruitless.

Above is the start of my English and Teutonic Allies. I plan two 24 point 'Lion Rampant' forces that can be allied together to create a large 48 point force. The English force will be Bolingbrookes expeditionary force with Archers and Knights. The Tuetonics will be mostly Knights with crossbow. All the figures are Claymore Castings that are perfect for 1390!

So far, I have about 30points. I'll add Crossbow and Archers next.

Figures painted by Luife Lopez and myself.

Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: commissarmoody on 13 September 2014, 07:13:31 PM
That is one hell of a start.
I was thinking of doing some Irish action with the Edward of Bruce invasion. I already have some Isles men to use a gallowglass and am waiting for my next pay check to finish the group off.

Keep up the work you are doing, the Tutonic nights look great. Are you also planning on making the Lithuanian's?

 
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: janner on 13 September 2014, 07:33:49 PM
Cracking start  :D
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Ray Earle on 13 September 2014, 07:50:53 PM
Great start, and a nice backstory.

Look forward to seeing this force progress. Who are you looking to use as opponents?
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: OSHIROmodels on 13 September 2014, 08:41:01 PM
Very nice indeed  :-* :-*

But, six minstrels though  :o I'm assuming that they had different roles as well as playing instruments?

cheers

James
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Captain Blood on 13 September 2014, 11:01:53 PM
Absolutely gorgeous. Top work.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: commissarmoody on 14 September 2014, 07:55:23 AM
Very nice indeed  :-* :-*

But, six minstrels though  :o I'm assuming that they had different roles as well as playing instruments?

cheers

James
From what I understand, minstrels was a catch all term for entertainers back then, so acrobats, poets, jugglers..etc. He probably brought them so that they could write stores of he deeds of daring do. lol
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: janner on 14 September 2014, 08:14:31 AM
We'd need to refer to the primary source as the Latin, 'ministralis' was also used to refer to a retainer, attendant. Hence the use of minister for members of the modern UK cabinet.

Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: commissarmoody on 14 September 2014, 09:28:47 AM
Yeah they can also do that ::)
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: von Lucky on 14 September 2014, 10:15:53 AM
Nice stuff, they really look the part.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: whiskey priest on 14 September 2014, 11:06:07 AM
I seem to remember a story about English and Scottish knights having a bit of a scuffle while on crusade in the east of Europe, I think it may have been over a bridge and at least one knight died. Anybody else remember that or is it just me?
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Ray Earle on 14 September 2014, 01:27:15 PM
We'd need to refer to the primary source as the Latin, 'ministralis' was also used to refer to a retainer, attendant. Hence the use of minister for members of the modern UK cabinet.



Yeah, but nowhere near as funny. I always think of Sir Robin being followed by a load of sarcastic minstrels from the Holy Grail. Much better.  :D
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Captain Blood on 14 September 2014, 01:30:34 PM
Speaking of primary sources, I seem to remember from my A Level English, that Bolingbroke was reputed to be the model for Chaucer's parfait gentil knyght? (Although maybe that was just wishful thinking... )

'A Knyght ther was and that a worthy man,
That fro the tyme that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,
And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,
As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse,
And evere honoured for his worthynesse.
At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne;
Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne
Aboven alle nacïons in Pruce;
In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Ruce,—
No cristen man so ofte of his degree'.

In other words, nobody had done as much crusading in Prussia, Lithuania and Russia as he had...

Believed to be written by Chaucer in the 1390's, I believe?


Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Marine0846 on 14 September 2014, 04:23:22 PM
I like the look of your figures, fine painting.
How do you like the Claymore Castings?
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Captain Blood on 14 September 2014, 04:52:00 PM
I like the look of your figures, fine painting.
How do you like the Claymore Castings?

I'm pretty sure he makes them Marine0846, so I'm guessing he likes them quite a lot ;)
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: IMRIE on 14 September 2014, 10:12:45 PM
Yes, Andrew Taylor and I own Claymore Castings.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8qAjz99-rE8/VBXejBgvfFI/AAAAAAAADfk/V8eCq50pm3g/s1600/20140914_190804.jpg)

Some images of the movement trays made for me by Warbase. I got the cut outs
slightly angled. This is to give a less ridged look that movement trays can sometimes give.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FgsoEhVsMOk/VBXemEulqlI/AAAAAAAADfs/1Dl0ZNG6d5c/s1600/20140914_191054.jpg)
the bottom photo is my Anglo-Teutonic Crusader army so far.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Marine0846 on 15 September 2014, 01:07:04 AM
Captain Blood,
Had a good laugh on me. lol
With a wife home sick, brighten up my day.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Dilettante Gamer on 15 September 2014, 04:30:46 AM
Speaking of primary sources, I seem to remember from my A Level English, that Bolingbroke was reputed to be the model for Chaucer's parfait gentil knyght? (Although maybe that was just wishful thinking... )

'A Knyght ther was and that a worthy man,
That fro the tyme that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Trouthe and honour, fredom and curteisie.
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,
And therto hadde he riden, no man ferre,
As wel in cristendom as in hethenesse,
And evere honoured for his worthynesse.
At Alisaundre he was whan it was wonne;
Ful ofte tyme he hadde the bord bigonne
Aboven alle nacïons in Pruce;
In Lettow hadde he reysed and in Ruce,—
No cristen man so ofte of his degree'.

In other words, nobody had done as much crusading in Prussia, Lithuania and Russia as he had...

Believed to be written by Chaucer in the 1390's, I believe?

Have you happen to read Terry Jones' (yes, Terry "Python" Jones) Chaucer's Knight: Portrait of a Medieval Mercenary? It's a pretty compelling deconstruction. That "parfait gentil knyght" seems to have fought everywhere EXCEPT genuine crusades, let alone the major battles for his own kingdom. Highly recommend it.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Paleskin on 15 September 2014, 01:08:04 PM
nice looking force started there!
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Captain Blood on 15 September 2014, 04:48:27 PM
Have you happen to read Terry Jones' (yes, Terry "Python" Jones) Chaucer's Knight: Portrait of a Medieval Mercenary? It's a pretty compelling deconstruction.

No, I haven't. Just checked it out on Amazon - gets pretty mixed reviews...  :?
Might put it on my Christmas wishlist though... :)
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: IMRIE on 15 September 2014, 06:16:32 PM
http://department.monm.edu/history/urban/articles/CHIVALRY.html

I found the above link useful for Information. It talks about heavy losses inflicted by English Longbow around 1392.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: IMRIE on 15 September 2014, 11:12:43 PM
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WxPaqii7Dw/VBdhdC-CjSI/AAAAAAAADg4/-m15g61fydM/s1600/20140915_194221.jpg)

A WIP image of theTeutonic section of my army.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Ray Earle on 16 September 2014, 06:10:23 AM
Nicely done. You're making some progress with these boys.  :D

Do I spot a Percy hiding in those ranks?
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: commissarmoody on 16 September 2014, 06:51:38 AM
Need to take some individual photos  ::)
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: tomrommel1 on 16 September 2014, 04:04:59 PM
very very nice painting and figures!!!
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: folnjir on 17 September 2014, 07:08:55 AM
Very nice work so far. I think I’ll have to look more closely at Claymore Castings too.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: Volleyfire! on 30 September 2014, 10:54:33 AM
Lovely work so far, really like the bases with curved cornering.
According to 'The Fears of Henry IV' by Ian Mortimer Henry, on his journey to Lithuania took with him aboard three ships, all no longer than 100ft, some 300 men, dozens of horses, three hundred and sixty chickens and one cow! Not forgetting 3,400 eggs, and apparently 40 sheep purchased in Boston,though whether they were still alive it doesn't say. The other supplies go on for ever, fish being one particular favourite, and sweets.
Title: Re: Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'
Post by: dm on 30 September 2014, 07:07:05 PM
Superb looking force 8)