*
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 08:28:38 PM

Login with username, password and session length

Donate

We Appreciate Your Support

Recent

Author Topic: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise  (Read 11117 times)

Offline Wiegraf

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 301
Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« on: May 21, 2022, 09:42:11 PM »
Here's my somewhat lengthy intro and ramblings to this project and discussion. Lately I've been painting Hundred Years War figures from Perry to create a small force of French soldiers to play Lions Rampant with. I don't have a specific battle or retinue I am working on, but rather have chosen to deal with a mix of Agincourt (1415) up until Joan of Arc's death (1431). Basically I'm using "the rule of cool" and choosing what I'd like to paint that looks good aesthetically.

I love to research everything about what I paint and try to meet my levels of artistic licence somewhere with an agreeable amount of historical accuracy. Most of my painting experience involves doing ancients like Samnites where a degree of artistic freedom is granted, or with World War 2 figures where a lot of the soldiers are uniform. But for me, the late medieval period and renaissance is a bit of a mixture of very loose accuracy as well as documentation, so I hope I am doing both my artistic and historical side justice here in the project.

I have three boxes from Perry, all plastic, no metals (yet). The Agincourt Foot Knight Box, the French Infantry Box, and the Mounted French Knight box. I had to buy an extra 6 horses for the extra 6 knights that the mounted box came with to use all those legs up (They give you 12 horses but you can make 16 mounted men in the box if you buy 6 more horses!). I've also borrowed shields from the Mercenary box set of the later 15th century (they're a bit smaller but still are large enough for pavise). Following the game's unit sizing, I've basically planned my force in the following method:

1) x2 units of Men-at-arms (Foot knights basically, 6 men a unit)

2) x2 units of Mounted Men-at-arms (Mounted Knights, basically. 6 men a unit)

3) x1 unit of mounted sergeants (6 men a unit)

4) x1 unit of Pavise Bearer Sergeants (12 men a unit)

5) x1 unit of Crossbowmen (12 men a unit)

6) x1 unit of "Expert Sergeants" (In Lion Rampant, these are sergeants that ditch the shields and use heavier weapons, they basically get attack bonuses and lose defensive abilities. I'll have the unit contain mixed arms like sword and buckler men, or axe / pole arm users).

I have many, many left over Foot Knight bodies so I might make more generic men at arms later on, or maybe use them to start an English force in the future. I also include a few Scottish men of note that partook in some of the battles in France.

Anyways, here's some of the work I've finished as well as current WIP. Most of them have been what I call "unnamed or generic" men at arms, while some I try to incorporate known individuals or family symbols.






Based on D'Amboise ...





I have Arthur III of Brittany on foot in the back there behind various men at arms.


A Scottish Soldier, Hugh Kennedy of Ardstynchar



Generic Knight / Men At Arms .

Here's some work in progress...



There were two Stewarts of Scotland I noted in the 1420s fighting in France. I've decided to paint the one that died fighting in the Battle of the Herrings (1429), the one of Darnley (not Buchan, who died in 1424).


D'albret. Could be the one that passed at Agincourt, or the son fighting later on.


Jean de Bueil.



This one is a d'Auxy. Died in Agincourt if I remember correctly.



Generic Knight



This one could be Gilles de Rais on foot, or again generic Men at Arms.

I started doing more specific individuals in the second round of Foot Knights and will do so for the other mounted knights as well. I plan get the Count of Vendome and La Fayatte in the mix there somehow as well. For those of you that know your history, you'll see I've mixed in a few coat of arms / symbols that may not have survived Agincourt or only perhaps attend a single battle between 1415-1430 and are never written about again. The problem with individual battles transcribed in English is that its often only recorded with a few commanders present and then they're never mentioned again - So for Lions Rampant I do not mind having a dead individual (such as d'albret the 1st or d'auxy) suddenly appearing in the Siege of Orleans to fill in the ranks. Let's just assume it is someone else for those battles so I don't have to paint so much!

I really enjoy painting and drawing out the various coat of arms and heraldry. One has to apply a certain level of artistic licence when working with them, however, as I believe some of the older recorded versions of the heraldry are either poorly documented, where the newer ones have evolved and changed over time (and we now have digitalized versions in the form of png or jpg files, which is not how they'd look like in the real world!)

A lot of these historical names I have drawn up from various websites, accounts, and manuscripts. Which leads me on to the next and main thinking part of this forum post: Pavise shields. I've decided for my sergeants armed with pavise to give them individual civic (city) symbols on their shields. I have seen many people combine a unit of soldiers with the same heraldry (Such as giving all the soldiers the heraldry of Metz or Toulon in a single unit), but I will give each soldier an individual shield from various cities and communes. My two biggest problems with doing this is going for historical accuracy. It is not as simple as picking some random French town and applying the coat of arms to it. Some towns in this period after Agincourt also stood behind the English, recognizing the English King as soverign, and not the French. Furthermore, some coat of arms were not documented nor distributed to civics during this time and were only noted later, so I had to research historical medieval towns and the date and age of a lot of the civic emblems. To do this I've looked at armorial rolls / manuscripts recorded in the 15th and 16th centuries as well as try to note how they've evolved in more modern times. I've also found a great blog in French to assist:  https://herald-dick-magazine.blogspot.com/2016/02/recueil-darmoiries-de-villes-de-france.html
It is a very useful blog because there is so much lost with sources in English! It's easy to hit translate in Chrome and get the general idea.

The two main historical manuscripts I've drawn my sources from are from the Armoiral de Gilles Le Bouvier and something called " Recueil de blasons peints. " The first armorial is probably the most accurate, as it seems to be recorded right after / the end of the Hundred Years War. However, I only recognize and can make out the city of Paris in regards to Civic Coats of arms. There are tons of accurate knights and nobles and families within, but with only English at my disposal and unclear documentation in it, beyond Paris I cannot make out which town or city is what.

On the other hand, the Recueil de blasons peints, or just "Collection of Painted Coats of arms" , which was apparently written in the 16th century has a number of towns and cities with coats of arms. These are the ones I have typically seen modernized, but there are some that are recorded differently. Le Mans, for example, in modern day representation has a "chief" at the top of its heraldry with three fleurs-de-lys. the 16th century manuscript omits these fleurs-de-lys. Secondly, Le Mans only has 3 candles historically, but a fourth was added sometime later.



16th century Le Mans Coat of arms as listed in the manuscript.



Modern Day coat of Arms. A fourth candle added along with Fleurs-de-lys.

So since it seems the fleurs-de-lis are an addition , along with an extra candle, I will probably paint this pavise as the 16th century version: Blue backing with a Red Cross and white key with three candles.

Here arrives the next problem in the bag: Le Mans is apparently invaded and eventualy on the side that recognizes the English crown as King of France in the 1420s... Should I use this on my soldiers? Do I assume that a few anti-english frenchmen travel south to Tours and join up with the local Angers and Tours military? There's not much on specifics, and there's a lot of story telling that could be told. The one great thing about wargaming (and the curse) is there's often a lot open to "What if's" and "could be" scenarios!

In any case, I have a unit of 12 pavisemen , ten of which will be armed proper with pavise (sadly I dont have enough single spears to make the full unit of 12, but oh well!).  My current plan is this:



Here I've got 9 pavise designs for civic coats of arms I would like to do. There are some that are potentially problematic however.

1) Angers apparently has only 2 fleur de lys. or none, depending on the source. Orleans and Tours seem accurate, though Tours is often shown with a black backing, not blue.
 
2) Vendome seems historically correct and is also seen on the duke's coat of arms. I've seen it without a crown and both versions are fine to me.

3) Evreux surrenders and throws its doors open to the English - And Amiens and Troyes are also under English domain for a good chunk of time, and even have treaties written under their name. Should they be on French shields if I am using them say in the Siege of Orleans? Le Mans falls in this category too.

4) Rennes is Britanny, and since I have Arthur III in the lot, I wanted some representation from Brittany. I like the Brtianny forces because they essentially end up fighting either sides at some point in the war.

The thing is.. do I worry about crossover? I'm already doing a little bit with Agincourt knights running around in my forces. Who is to say that A few lads from Amiens aren't too keen with Burgundian or English forces hanging around and prefer the Dauphin of France..?

So it's all about deciding which ones I should put on the Ten shields I want to do, and also decide which is accurate or not. Another thought is to make some simple versions - just the Cross of St Dennis, or maybe just generic Fleur-de-lys to represent "France". The Siege of Meaux would also be interesting. There's a Grene and Red Version with a chief of fleurs-de-lys of that city, but there's also a blue and red version without the fleurs-de-lys!

I think the main thing for me to remember too as I have mentioned is that a level of artistic licence has to come into play. To what extent a lot of these blazons were worn into battle is only really shown in art and descriptions!

Thanks for reading my thoughts and process at painting these lads.

Offline Patrice

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1769
  • Breizh / Brittany
    • "Argad!"
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2022, 10:02:19 PM »
Superb painting...  :o

You have a lot of questions and it's not sure everything was so simple at the time.

Pavises designs refer to town militia units, or to important lords heraldry.

Town militias with town pavises would probably only appear near their own town, or exceptionally be sent farther for some reason. Pavises bearers with arms of some lord would follow his orders.

The number of fleurs-de-lys (or of Breton ermine tails) may vary depending on space available, the important thing at the time was easy recognition on the field not the exact number of items.

Offline Wiegraf

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 301
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #2 on: May 21, 2022, 10:24:22 PM »
Quote
Superb painting...  :o

You have a lot of questions and it's not sure everything was so simple at the time.

Pavises designs refer to town militia units, or to important lords heraldry.

Town militias with town pavises would probably only appear near their own town, or exceptionally be sent farther for some reason. Pavises bearers with arms of some lord would follow his orders.

The number of fleurs-de-lys (or of Breton ermine tails) may vary depending on space available, the important thing at the time was easy recognition on the field not the exact number of items.

First of all thank you for the kind comment. I try to do my best and take much time to paint to the best of my abilities.

That is also a thing I am wondering. Would a soldier based out of Tours travel all the way with his giant pavise to defend Orleans? I am not certain. In one battle I read about I see that Arthur III switches sides and there is an English invasion into Britanny. he ends up going on a mass recruitment drive to counter the English offence. would those Bretons have brought along their shields? I'm not sure.  lol There is much that is left for interpretation but it makes sense that much of the pavise might be a local ordeal.

Offline Blackwolf

  • Potato Cup 3 winner
  • Supporting Adventurer
  • Galactic Brain
  • *
  • Posts: 6225
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2022, 10:35:05 PM »
Lovely work :-*
May the Wolf  Walk With You
http://greywolf1066.blogspot.com.au/

Painting Clubs Joined: APC,MPC, PPC,PAPC,LPC.

Offline Patrice

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1769
  • Breizh / Brittany
    • "Argad!"
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2022, 12:18:03 AM »
Would a soldier based out of Tours travel all the way with his giant pavise to defend Orleans? I am not certain. In one battle I read about I see that Arthur III switches sides and there is an English invasion into Britanny. he ends up going on a mass recruitment drive to counter the English offence. would those Bretons have brought along their shields?

Aaaargh... ::) I would say that, if you really want it in one of your games, some guys may have done it. Otherwise, people bearing pavises given by their town or by their lord would continue to follow their orders.

Offline bluewillow

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 2280
  • Bluewillow- Matthew Williamson
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2022, 03:15:05 AM »
Lovely brush work.

I used Le Mans in my French army and have also added Angers and Tours as they are all in the same region and some may of fought at Baugé, La Brossiniere/La Gravel, St Suzanne, Fresnay, St James and Verneuil, plus the 90 odd sieges around Anjou-Maine, (modern Pays de Loire).

The Bonne city militia were raised in the Bishopric so would include men who were not within the walls but in the Parishes of the Bishopric lands in Anjou-Maine also.

look forward to the progression of your project

cheers
matt

Offline MaleGriffin

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1719
  • Don't bother running.... You'll just die tired....
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2022, 06:25:32 PM »
Lovely figures! Masterful brushwork!
Hoc quoque transibit
Sanguinem sistit semper

Offline beausconce

  • Lurker
  • Posts: 1
  • manager
    • Revounts
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2022, 04:40:35 AM »
Lovely brush work.
I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure you this would be beneficial for most people

Offline Tonhel

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 570
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #8 on: May 24, 2022, 04:21:18 PM »
I love threads like this! Beautiful! :-*

Offline Wiegraf

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 301
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #9 on: May 26, 2022, 02:59:47 AM »
Quote
Lovely brush work.

I used Le Mans in my French army and have also added Angers and Tours as they are all in the same region and some may of fought at Baugé, La Brossiniere/La Gravel, St Suzanne, Fresnay, St James and Verneuil, plus the 90 odd sieges around Anjou-Maine, (modern Pays de Loire).

The Bonne city militia were raised in the Bishopric so would include men who were not within the walls but in the Parishes of the Bishopric lands in Anjou-Maine also.

Thanks for those names. I'll have to check into those areas. I'll most likely stick to the cities I mentioned in my post with the inclusion of Brittany just for something alternative to represent the Brittanny forces.

And thank you all for the kind comments. Glad you all like the work.

I think in the end I'll mix in these different pavise and make it an art project. Part of what I've done on the Knights already is a mix of Agincourt knights as well as Joan of Arc Companions so I'm already all over the place! Even if it makes no sense historically I think art aesthetic will win in the end here.

Recently I released a Youtube Video of my current progress on the latest 6 foot knights WIP. Here that is for anyone interested:

https://youtu.be/ON7KBShBlqM

I hope to finish these ones soon and start prepping the other Mounted Knights. I'll have a few banner carriers in with the cavalry as well.

I plan to include the following named Mounted Knights in some capacity with the next 6 I do.

Louis, Count of Vendôme.  This one's going to be madness to get on the tunic, but I plan to try!!!!



La Fayette family ( This French family is very predominate for a long time in France's history, so they're a must have..)




I might just do La Fayette's banner on a shield. I don't have many cavalry shields of the era done up and it would look cool on one.

The banner carriers I'll probably just make generic Knights. I may pick a third for heraldry but I'm not sure what yet. Maybe Jean Poton de Xaintrailles. If I can pull of the Vendome banner freehand somehow, then I can manage his as well, I think!



I'm nervous about doing the lions. I tried on Arthur III of Brittany... He was the first Coat of Arms I did on these models. I think the biggest mistake I made wth him, however, is that I set his red crown with lions a little too low for the surcoat. It shoulld ideally be raised up and slightly covered by the back of his chain armor.



And the lions at the scale are beyond my ability to paint accurately. They're nowhere as detailed as the digital art images of his coat of arms portrays nor in the real world. Still, I think it works and was alright for my first attempt at heraldry on a Knight!




Offline Tonhel

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 570
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2022, 06:22:45 AM »
Great work! I think the lions at that scale are perfect!

Offline Patrice

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1769
  • Breizh / Brittany
    • "Argad!"
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2022, 11:33:25 AM »
Arthur III of Brittany... He was the first Coat of Arms I did on these models. I think the biggest mistake I made wth him, however, is that I set his red crown with lions a little too low for the surcoat. It shoulld ideally be raised up and slightly covered by the back of his chain armor.


Superb work.

I don't think the lambel is too low. It's true that in another period source it is very high on the shield, but the important thing at the time was easy recognition on the battlefield
(if you really want to be picky, for the same reason they would try to avoid covering the sides of some ermine tails with the three lambel thingies, but that should not stop you).

Offline Iain R

  • Mad Scientist
  • Posts: 505
  • High on life... and thinners. Mainly thinners.
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2022, 12:12:00 PM »
Fantastic painting, always nice to see more Scots in France being done!
Proudly not painting Wars of The Roses since... ever


Offline Captain Blood

  • Global Moderator
  • Elder God
  • Posts: 19305
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2022, 02:50:23 PM »
Absolutely tremendous work, well done  8)

Offline GulKelan

  • Librarian
  • Posts: 111
Re: Hundred Years War WIP. Heraldry and Civic Pavise
« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2022, 03:49:24 PM »
wish i could paint freehands like that! beautiful

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
2 Replies
2697 Views
Last post June 05, 2015, 04:00:01 PM
by Atheling
13 Replies
2852 Views
Last post February 03, 2017, 02:47:51 PM
by smirnoff
6 Replies
2565 Views
Last post October 18, 2017, 10:51:57 AM
by Arlequín
12 Replies
2672 Views
Last post December 08, 2020, 10:30:12 PM
by Atheling
278 Replies
40414 Views
Last post March 15, 2024, 06:06:17 PM
by Lord Raglan