28mm Maximilian knights, new knight with beard added 28th

[Stuart]

It's a style mimicking Landsknecht dress known as 'costume armour' from the examples i've seen they're 3/4 pieces though i'm not sure whether they're intended for foot combat over a bar, infantry officers, dress armour or medium cavalry. I've also seen a full harness example which i'll try and find for you.

The reason for that is practicality, in the example you've taken inspiration from it looks more usable whereas these are less so, it doesn't appear that you could get much movement in the arms. All by Konrad Helmschmid, another genius armourer alongside Seusenhofer - look up both of their work, each right on the period you're interested in.

i'd go with an open face burgonet or maximilian helmet with visor up, each could display a well armed infantry officer or knight, the former tended to be second sons with equivalent wallets.

If you want a Landsknecht feel, add a nice heavy chain round the neck and shoulders.

[Stuart]

here's another Konrad Helmschmid harness in the Maximilian style with an interesting early burgonet

[Stuart]

an example of burgonets in the 1500-1525 period, after which they evolved to a different shape with a peaked crown and more prominent cheek pieces. Those of the 1500-1515 period tended not to have cheek pieces

[Arlequín]

If your purse doesn't run to the latest fashion, you could always try this:



Just get someone to whack a brim onto Dad's old sallet and voila! Instant Burgonet!   

Moving away from armour and more towards other troops, I found these interesting;



One of Albrecht Durer's lesser known drawings (1501)



No idea when this was done, but it is supposed to be French 'Archer' Cavalry. It looks like a Durer woodcut (and how he did horses) and the style is about right for the first decade-ish of the 16th Century... but I don't know.



Another odd one... Late 15th Century style, jaunty 'Landsknecht' style hat and a mounted longbowman... any ideas?

[Stuart]

Archer cavalry, much maligned and totally unrepresented - love that print.

[Steel fist]

So the Wallace Collection catalogue has it as A28 - its shown with a mail standard and a close helm (A162), which doesn't belong to it and has different provenance.
Note it has backplate too.
Its possibly made in Ausburg, circa 1520.



 My guess is that it was probably a full harness and not the 3/4 which remains, due to the quality of the work?
The design and engraving clearly imitates the slashed clothing of the period. 

Simon.

Thanks simon, it's great to see the backplate, I saw that helmet with it in another photo, but did not think it looked right, I'm not sure if I will do it as a full harness or not at them moment.

here's another Konrad Helmschmid harness in the Maximilian style with an interesting early burgonet

Like that burgonet, I will be doing some in burgonets, thanks too for the other pics, it's very useful, I have still not decided early or later so I think I'm going to do some in 1520s and some in 1500ish armour then see what is more popular.

[JollyBob]

Um, I don't think that longbowman is mounted. 

I might be wrong but it looks to me like he's standing behind the brown horse that another man at arms is either mounting or dismounting.

That said, the sallet/burgonet is really interesting and the care taken to create that moulded arse armour has earned my lasting respect.

[Captain Blood]

I might be wrong but it looks to me like he's standing behind the brown horse that another man at arms is either mounting or dismounting.

Must admit, that's what I thought it looked like - you can see the empty saddle, and the chap in front has a foot in the stirrup, like he's about to hop onto the horse...

Alas Stuart, I think you will have to look elsewhere for your evidence of mounted archers 

[Arlequín]

Stuart? That was me. 

I'll accept there is no evidence of horse visible, but he is the same height as the mounted men, so take that how you will. However I will offer this... there is also a mounted crossbowmen to the right.
 


Seriously though, I'm not suggesting English Mongol-style horse archers as a matter of course, but if your horse keeps still there is no reason why a longbow can't be used from horseback and it was done that way when hunting with a bow.

The arse armour is indeed a curiosity as it shows that the armour was solely intended for foot combat. You couldn't ride with it on; there could of course have been a separate back piece for mounted use that we don't have though. I imagine that if there was armour for the lower legs, it would be rendered smooth or lightly patterned to simulate shoes and hose.

[Stuart]

I wasn't even there, I don't know who any of these people are or why I'm here, I'm innocent!

[Stuart]

By 'archer cavalry ' I was referring to ordonnance archers and not mounted archers though the latter do exist as part of the former. Come on guys keep up.

[Arlequín]

Yes, keep up folks. 

The French 'Archers' began as common mounted bowmen, but steadily evolved into gentry cavalry and a kind of 'cadet' branch for the Gendarmes, or for those who couldn't afford a full set of armour. While they carried bows well into the first quarter of the 16th Century, their use of them dwindled until they were abandoned altogether, yet they were still called 'Archers' despite being 'demi-lancers' to all intents and purposes. 

[Captain Blood]

Yes, I have noted before the terminology of medieval troop types appears deliberately confusing!

(That's why it's so important that we add even more random esoteric terms to the mix - like 'bidowers'...  )

I cannot deny that there are definitely men firing longbows on horseback in that latest pic.

I see your evidence and raise you the familiar defence: ah yes, but is that a realistic contemporary portrayal of warfare, or a mere flight of fancy on the part of the illustrator? (Answer - we will never know for sure )
(Which indeed seems to be the answer to almost all questions concerning the details of medieval warfare - very, very long and oft-repeated arguments by wargamers notwithstanding).

Anyway, straying a bit off topic now. Sorry about that Oliver. You'd better show us another glorious sculpt 

[Arlequín]

I see your evidence and raise you the familiar defence: ah yes, but is that a realistic contemporary portrayal of warfare, or a mere flight of fancy on the part of the illustrator? (Answer - we will never know for sure )

Normally I would go with that, but as it also shows a foot archer and the actual detail itself is otherwise quite accurate, I am inclined to take it as gospel... sort of.

Anyhoo... yes more sculpts. Stuart's idea of throwing inspiration at Oliver is a good one though, some of it's bound to stick.   

[Steel fist]

I wonder what would happen if people used our figure collections as a guide to authenticity in the future..

I think most artists put what they want to see in the composition of their work, but pictures defiantly can be helpful.

Anyway the next knight will be ready in two or three days, it's not the one in the butt armour though it's in a Maximilian suit.
Thanks again for all the support.