SoA Forums

Hello chums, a figure manufacturer of my acquaintance wants to launch their 10mm Baron's War range with a demo game and has asked my advice on armies.
While I can advise on displays and basing etc I know the sum of naff-all about the period.
His main query is how the Royal and Rebel armies may differ?
Broad stroke advice and ideas are welcome!

AdeG

Do you know which one he wants to do? 

Quote from: Ade G on September 13, 2024, 03:04:04 PMHis main query is how the Royal and Rebel armies may differ?

I suspect that, whichever war is under consideration (Anthony's question), the answer will be "Not much".

If your manufacturer is trying to do both, then you might find more difference between the First Barons' War (1215-1217) and de Montfort's Second Barons' War (1264-1267) than between the two sides in either conflict.

Quote from: Erpingham on September 13, 2024, 03:32:59 PMDo you know which one he wants to do? 

I have asked him and waiting for a reply

Quote from: Duncan Head on September 13, 2024, 03:59:36 PM

Quote from: Ade G on September 13, 2024, 03:04:04 PMHis main query is how the Royal and Rebel armies may differ?

I suspect that, whichever war is under consideration (Anthony's question), the answer will be "Not much".

If your manufacturer is trying to do both, then you might find more difference between the First Barons' War (1215-1217) and de Montfort's Second Barons' War (1264-1267) than between the two sides in either conflict.

To be honest Duncan he knows les about it than I do!

For the 2nd BW -
At Lewes, the London militia _may_ have been better equipped than the average. There is a partial muster review from the following generation which notes the weaponry available to the members, though I haven't yet found the actual document. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26630017?read-now=1&seq=13#page_scan_tab_contents has some info.
It also mentions that in the 14th century, the militia wore red and white surcoats and it wouldn't be too much of a leap to allow them for the 2nd BW

At Lewes, the rebels wore white crosses to distinguish themselves. By Evesham, the royalists had followed suit though in their case the crosses were red. I doubt that putting these on 10mm figures is likely to make much difference!

Single biggest difference between rebel and royal at Evesham is the presence of Welsh in de Montfort's army. I have my own pet theory that the 'roden rock' of Edward III's Welsh were rude tunics (which fits with the following comment about not being warm), not red tunics, but even if that is completely wrong, the few roughly period depictions show Welsh in a variety of colours.

For more interesting things about the London militia, have a look at these documents and commentary.  Not much on equipment but something on flags.  As to the two wars, London seems to have provided a large force to support Louis in the 1st war, as well as a large force to support De Montfort in the 2nd.

I did the banner of St Paul as a church style hanging banner though for a bit of a change rather than solid evidence. https://swampster-danteswars.blogspot.com/search/label/Londoners
At Lewes, the militia were led by Nicholas de Segrave. I've noted on my blog that the young Fitzwalter was captured at Northampton* before Lewes. I still had my London 'captain' with Fitzwalter arms as I had Segrave as a mounted figure.

I'd forgotten the mention of cloth or iron caparisons in that source. Interesting that the London militia paper also mentions the possession of some iron coverings for a few of the mounted militia.


*So I put on my blog years back, though I don't remember the source.