Marignano 1515 at Derby - Everyone's a winner

[olicana]

Hi guys, I've just posted a short report on my impressions of the Derby show this weekend just gone. I like this show, for more reasons than one..........

There are also a few shots of the Marignano 1515 game the Ilkley Lads put on there.

http://olicanalad.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/marignano-1515-at-derby-everyones-winner.html

[Stuart]

Glad you're back James, you've been missed.

I must get to see your Italian Wars collections somehow, they've been a source of inspiration for my own, particularly the French.

Do you have any bows at all, Iirc  Marignano was the last time longbows were used by the French in any notable number.

All the best

Stuart

[olicana]

Hi Stuart, thanks.

I don't have any longbows any more (have used WoR long bows but sold), so they are something I will have to replace one day. In the meantime I'm reasonably happy substituting them with crossbows - my rules don't distinguish one bow from another for this period - and crossbows are much more in evidence [read: figure useful] amongst both the Italians and French in the 'early period'. My understanding is that most foot bows [all kinds] had disappeared (except amongst the French) by 1515 and just about all foot bows disappeared post 1525, all being replaced by arquebus: at least, that is my understanding.

Perhaps someone will correct me. It would be useful if they did as I have about 150 crossbowmen painted up.

Regards,

James

[Stuart]

The last mention I'm aware of 'bows' among French infantry is a decree of January 1522 which required a levy of 24000 francs archers for campaigns in Italy, Guyenne and Picardy (the latter for a second invasion by Henry VIII) to be equipped with , doublets, feathers, leather cape, shoes, corselets, mail gorgets, arm pieces, mail skirts and helmets. 2/3 were armed with pike and the rest were halberdiers, crossbowmen and arquebusiers. All were to serve in hoquetons (sleeveless coats) in the liveries of their captains and or towns / cities. They were paid month by month and stood down at the end of a campaign.

For Marignano, the Adventuriers are mentioned as fighting valiantly and keeping up a steady rate of fire though these are crossbow armed, in fact as i type i've realised im confusing bow armed infantry with the ordonnance archers, doh ! Marignano being when their transition to lighter lance armed cavalryman was sealed / demonstrated. So there were longbows at Marignano, just not as I initially mentioned.

Just ignore me !