Henry Bolingbroke and the attacks on Vilnius 'Lion Rampant'

[IMRIE]

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.



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.

[commissarmoody]

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?

 

[janner]

Cracking start 

[Ray Earle]

Great start, and a nice backstory.

Look forward to seeing this force progress. Who are you looking to use as opponents?

[OSHIROmodels]

Very nice indeed 

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

cheers

James

[Captain Blood]

Absolutely gorgeous. Top work.

[commissarmoody]

Very nice indeed 

But, six minstrels though  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.

[janner]

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.

[commissarmoody]

Yeah they can also do that

[von Lucky]

Nice stuff, they really look the part.

[whiskey priest]

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?

[Ray Earle]

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. 

[Captain Blood]

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?

[Marine0846]

I like the look of your figures, fine painting.
How do you like the Claymore Castings?

[Captain Blood]

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