New Project/Uses for Fireforge infantry

[Mr.J]

I'm a big fan of the soon to be released Fireforge infantry figures and I am currently trying to decide what I am going to do with mine when I buy them and I'm just looking for a bit of insight really.

I'm my eyes they best fit the period from the late 12th to end of the 13th century so I have been doing a bit of research. I really want my project to be based around an 'English' army, albeit whether they be in France, Wales, Scotland, wherever.

Here are a few ideas that I have come up with but I am unsure of the suitability of the figures as I realise my ideas span about a century.

Henry II/Richard I/John/Robin Hood etc
Henry III French wars
Barons Wars
The Albigensian Crusade
Edward I and the Welsh/Scottish Wars

Have I missed anything that could be particularly interesting to wargame?

I'm leaning towards the Edward I and the Welsh Wars as I have recently been to Wales visited several of his castles.

Any pointers on the suitability of the figures for any of the above (or any other suggestions) would be much appreciated.

[Captain Blood]

Think they might be a bit too pure chainmail and surcoat looking for Edward I, by which time plate armour was making an impression. But for the high 'feudal' period of the 1100's and first half of the 1200's, i think they would serve very well for the other settings you suggest.

[Atheling]

Think they might be a bit too pure chainmail and surcoat looking for Edward I, by which time plate armour was making an impression. But for the high 'feudal' period of the 1100's and first half of the 1200's, i think they would serve very well for the other settings you suggest.

mostly plate as we imagine it now was starting to be introduced towards the end of Edward I's reign. A lot of boiled leather 'plates' around for Edward I too but not on the lowly men at arms.

A nice little short explanation can be found here- at the bottom of the page:

http://www.longshank.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=53&lang=en

Hope that is of some help?

Darrell.

[Dalauppror]

Mix em with the GB plastic Vikings and you off for a Swedish or Danish baltic Crusade army 

If you want archers just get hold of some plastic bow arms fron the perry box...

[6sided]

As said, mix them with dark ages stuff for the Baltic crusades.  Aslo the Conquest Normans can be mixed in (or at least head swaps etc) to create an even earlier look (Steven and MAtilda etc).  Also, Edward I and plate is not an issue, apart from the very, very wealthy plate was not around.

[Atheling]

very wealthy plate was not around.

Emphasis on the very, very wealthy and then it would have been a (quality) coat of plates and leg and arm protection at the very most.

It's still important not to miss out on the Cuir-Bouilii as it was relatively inexpensive when compared to plate. Still, it was probably the reserve of the minor nobility upwards.

Darrell.

[Mr.J]

Thanks for the info guy it's much appreciated.

Had myself a read of the Scottish and Welsh Wars and Medieval Knight 1200-1300 Ospreys as they seemed like a good place to start. Then I've had a bit of a surf online (thanks Atheling your site was useful) and from what I can see is there was some plate around but it wasn't universal and could be worn in fairly random combinations.

What I mean is there were no standard 'suits' of armour people seemed to just pick the bits that they felt were most beneficial or that they could afford. Most commonly I have found things like poleyns on the knees and protection like greaves and cuisse on the legs. There also seems to have been very early spalders that appear to be simple pieces of metal attached to protect the top of the arms and shoulders. Pieces of the above was also made from leather too as Atheling commented.

I think I am going to read up a bit more on the Welsh Wars as I think with a bit of fudging the Fireforge figures could work.

Another option that I had already considered was using the Conquest and Templar heads and doing 'The Anarchy' but it means buying more boxes and unfortunately money is pretty tight atm. Same goes for the GB stuff, but I have been following Dalaupprors thread as a source of inspiration.

Thanks again for the help.

[Atheling]

Thanks for the info guy it's much appreciated.

Had myself a read of the Scottish and Welsh Wars and Medieval Knight 1200-1300 Ospreys as they seemed like a good place to start. Then I've had a bit of a surf online (thanks Atheling your site was useful) and from what I can see is there was some plate around but it wasn't universal and could be worn in fairly random combinations.

What I mean is there were no standard 'suits' of armour people seemed to just pick the bits that they felt were most beneficial or that they could afford. Most commonly I have found things like poleyns on the knees and protection like greaves and cuisse on the legs. There also seems to have been very early spalders that appear to be simple pieces of metal attached to protect the top of the arms and shoulders. Pieces of the above was also made from leather too as Atheling commented.

I think I am going to read up a bit more on the Welsh Wars as I think with a bit of fudging the Fireforge figures could work.

Another option that I had already considered was using the Conquest and Templar heads and doing 'The Anarchy' but it means buying more boxes and unfortunately money is pretty tight atm. Same goes for the GB stuff, but I have been following Dalaupprors thread as a source of inspiration.

Thanks again for the help.

No probs at all, you're most welcome. Glad that I could be of some help  .

Very much looking forward to seeing what you decide upon and some pics  .

Darrell.