Arthurian Legend in 28mm (1 Viewer)

[Fubar]

A collection done at least a decade ago and has not seen the table in all that time. Inspired by Bernard Cornwell's WARLORD CHRONICLES , I collected and painted many troops and some terrain items.Cornwell My younger war game friends were coming over for the day and I could not decide what to do. Honestly, I was feeling too puny to do much. I had no era , scenario, terrain ideas{ well I did but just didn't feel up to all the work setting up ARNHEM or SAIPAN}. Something easy to set up the night before. I decided on the Dark Ages, Arthurian legend in particular .A Quick set up of terrain and a simple scenario . Saxons and their Rogue British allies including Mordred and cowardly traitor Lancelot on the march . Victory conditions were simple, Destroy or route the Romano British , Kill Arthur and cross the river at the fords and sack the town.The last of the lost treasures of Britain is said to be hidden there and it must be found. Merlin has accounted for all the lost treasures and must be slain before he can invoke the Druid Gods to return to the Isles. Lancelot and Mordred care not about any Gods, far too arrogant.But the Saxon Warlords and their Warriors and people do. Slay the Christians and the horrid Druids so their false Gods will be shown of no powers and cast into the void.There is also rumor of plenty of treasure stashed by Bishop Sansum , somewhere in the area, as well as plenty of stores , women ect. The usual plunder.
(41 photos)

 

[Fubar]

My narration of events for this miniature battle are simply putting a story to the mechanics of the game. Dice and cards are chance, timing and fate.
Arthur and His Knights clash with the outlaws and Mercenary scum that have flocked to Modreds dark banner.

Mordred on the black mount in the center. His gold helmet with full face armor. His rabid Hounds charge at his heels.

Arthur Center left with the white horse and shield. As the ranks of cavalry smash into each other , Mordred see's Arthur, Challenges him. Arthur responds and the two are locked in combat as the war hounds snap and bite at Arthur's mount. Both are wounded several times, but Arthur's mount desperately kicks and bucks at the vicious hounds, Arthur's right side is exposed and wounded Modred sinks his spear hilt deep through Arthur's ribs. A mortal wound. As the Bloodied Mordred grins with delight, he looks up and see's his last . Galahad takes off his head with a backward stroke of his sword as he gallops past.
Saxon Warbands advance Against the Romano British

 

[Fubar]

Most of the Saxon foot seemed to be too sober. Several of them advanced somewhat, then stopped and waited for the issue to be decided on the flank. More Ale.

Dang Druids. Bishop Sansum and some of his Monks arrive to put an end to the Pagan Ritual. The Woman in green seems to be saying; Theodoric, "GET IN HERE AND PICK UP THESE HEADS AND BONES YOU LEAVE LYING AROUND." Begone HAG! And you , take your weak god nailed to a tree and leave Britain!

Aella, King of the Saxons and his warriors


Derfel and the Wolf tailed armored warriors defend one of the fords from a ferocious band of very drunk, very angry Saxon fanatics. Their Wizard had worked them into a frenzy . His hair spiked with dung , he covered one eye, hopped about on one leg and spat curses and insults at the men defending the river in an incomprehensible rant.Derfel heard the twang of an arrow being loosed behind him, looked back to his front and saw the Wizard collapse in a heap with an arrow through his good eye. He cautioned the Young Archer . It was considered bad form to kill the enemies Holy men at the onset of battle.It was a bad omen, for the Saxons , already mad with Ale and other Magicians potions threw themselves across the ford and into the Wolf tails shield wall. A Hard fought appalling slaughter .Only with the help of some Lighter armed javelin men, archers and at last a flank and rear attack by Sagamor { the Moor} were the 20 fanatics slain.1/2 of Derfel's shield wall was down and their commander himself had his helmet smashed and his cheek bone split wide open.

 

[Fubar]

Roman Heavy Cavalry. This unit destroyed 2 huge warbands with very little loss. Got in , among, and behind the Shieldwalls, and crashed right through slaying many,including the leaders, splitting the formations and scattering the few survivors.
LikeThe fords. The Saxons only attacked with the Drunken fanatics. Made no attempt to force a crossing. Big mistake. They hesitated, re deployed, left gaps in between their warbands, some changed facing and flank marched. The Arthurian cavalry took full advantage and esily got BEHIND their lines .

The British Light cavalry would shoot and evade, shoot and evade. Twice the Saxon skrimish lines were caught and ridden down, and the cavalry would wheel about to pelt the Saxon Horse with more arrows in the flank and rear.

 

[Fubar]

The Banner of Arthur.Gawain , dead, his body petrified by Merlin's incantations is tied to his horse with the banner. Nothing scares the Saxons more than a dead n and 1/2 rotten corpse carrying the Standard of Arthur Pendragon plowing into their midst.

Stalwart Roman infantry

A formidable and untouched line of Romans.Archers to the front, a solid line of Heavy spear men , with Ballista and even more archers on the rise behind. These unleashed HELL on several Saxon war bands that attempted to advance, thought the better of it, and hunkered down in a shield wall . Unwilling to go further but too stubborn to fall back.

 

[Fubar]

In the end the Saxon center and left are completely destroyed.Mostly by the Heavy cavalry and ranks of Archers . Aella is mortally wounded, Clovis dead, Cerdic dead, Mordred dead. His cavalry destroyed.
Lancelot manages to bring his Heavy cavalry to the Saxon right and put an end to the cavalry action, the remnants of Arthur's Knights and Light cavalry fall back to the very formidable Romano British infantry line. The Cavalry and Warbands on the Biritsh right cross the fords and march unopposed to the center dispatching wounded Saxons they find along the way among the heaps of their shattered shield walls. The Romano British line is still very strong and well supported by Ballista and Archers that remain intact. Several Saxon warbands remain on their right , along with Most of Lancelots cavalry, but they can not begin to attack and retake the center , let alone cross the fords which are at the other end of the field. Defeat.
But Lancelot can console himself that Arthur has fallen.All his Allies are dead, so now HE shall become all power full. His bards shall write poems and songs of his Glory and courage defeating the Enemy of God. As he and his guards gather around the bodies of Arthur And Mordred A lone rider plunges from the smoke and mist.Like lightening he falls upon Lancelot , dumbstruck, eyes huge with shock and fright.The lance goes through his neck at the base of the throat. He falls ingloriously face first into the mud.The rider challenges the Mercenaries. He will claim Arthur's body and if they try to stop him by All the Gods he will slay any and all that try to prevent him in his task. The mercenaries say nothing. The sit upon their mounts. Not a word , only some creaking of their leather armor. The rider begins to dismount as do two of the Mercenaries.He reaches for his sword, they put up a hand to still him, they lift Arthur into his arms and step back. As Lancelot gurlge's in the mud the lone Knight nods in acknowledgement to the enemy riders , turns and rides down the hill. The riders turn too, walking their mounts over the body of Lancelot pushing him further into the soft and wet blood soaked soil before they ride into the darkness away from the battlefield . Theirs was a fragile allegiance to this so called Noble. They knew him for what he was and although Arthur was their enemy, they knew him for what he was. Some say it was Galahad himself that struck his Brother down.

Of course this is all just my imagination applied to the miniature sham battle as it turned out. Also, Cornwell has his own way with the Arthurian tale. Lancelot is NOT a hero in his epic story.
All in all for an unplanned and truly off the cuff gathering , it turned out to be a wonderful afternoon with my friends Daniel and Frederic.Plus, I want to gather more recent released figures for this period I thought I didn't need. well, I might not need them but a few more war bands of new figures while yet still inspired should prove to be a good thing.
Harold
der FubAr

 

[zblang]

WOW! Thanks for sharing that

 

[mikemiller1955]

Harold...your collection is epic...did you paint all of these...

 

[nmrocks]

Wow Fubar, you just "threw this together" cus you weren't really into it??? can't wait till your really excited!!
Ray

 

[Fubar]

Harold...your collection is epic...did you paint all of these...

Thanks Mike. Most of them, 2/3 or so. Some I bought off a friend . Some are mounted CELTS, Mixed in,{ another huge Barbarian army I did years ago} hidden in rear ranks. Some are 1066 Saxon Levy, round shields, spears, a little more refined after 600 years but not much difference. The Fanatics are Viking Berserk's , there are also some Viking Spearmen and skrimishers too. Tunics, round shields, hairy, they work.Had to add some ALLIES for the Saxons. The Romano British is a smaller army , but very tough and the cavalry especially disciplined. I was on a dark ages roll for a LONG time. Normans and Viking armies too. Individual warrior types are a lot of fun. I don't know if I can paint the shields like that anymore. Out of practice.
Will probably get the Vikings and Normans out for a dark ages free for all. I know, Normans and Vikings? Without cavalry on the battlefield it's an impressive array, but not real exciting battles.
Thank you for the kind remarks .:smile2:
Harold

 

[jon1941]

very Very cool I know I cant figures that small. that is a skill :salute::

 

[mikemiller1955]

Thanks Mike. Most of them, 2/3 or so. Harold

Harold...
I think this was why your back went out...
it wasn't the longshoring...^&grin...

that's a lot of painting...
you have the patience of a Saint...

 

[Ragnar]

Nice to se you playing again with the 28mm troops Harold....Your catalogue of 28mm collections must be the JEWEL of your entire TS collection!