From AndrewG: More Wars of the Roses Bill & Bow and Characters (125 points)

 

I'm back working on my Battle of Northampton 1460 project this week, and I wanted to start including some of the other notables that were identified as being present at that engagement. Unlike the main force commanders, for gaming purposes these characters don’t really need their own command stands per se, so I opted instead to either make some mini dioramas for them or insert them amongst the rank and file.

In the Orders of Battle presented in Mike Ingram’s book on Northampton 1460, the last name in the list of personalities fighting for the Yorkists is Sir William Chamberlain of East Harling. Born about 1410, he had served with distinction in Normandy under Richard, Duke of York, before returning to England and various offices and appointments. Ordered to raise men in Suffolk in 1460 to resist Neville’s forces, he ultimately sided with them instead. Chamberlain survived the fighting at Northampton and subsequently fought in the battles at Mortimer’s Cross and Towton as well. He died sometime shortly after, but not before he was made a Knight of the Garter for his service.

Step 1 - research. Sir William Chamberlain's personal livery is No.58

Painting liveries freehand is, frankly, a real pain in the butt. And time consuming. And if you’re not careful, you’ll make dumb mistakes like I did and spend yet more time fixing them. Still, I keep subjecting myself to the process because I believe the end result is worth it, at least until I find a better way. Thus, here is Chamberlain inserted in the ranks of a new unit of bill & bow (22 figures total). Being about 50 years old at the time of the battle and having considerable experience and reputation, I imagined him being smart enough to get in amongst the general troops to both keep their morale up as well as guide them accordingly.

I was this far along when I realized that not only had I accidentally painted some static grass into his face, I had the panels on his back the wrong way. All part of the fun.

The finished unit - worth the effort.

The battle of Northampton is also notable for a number of religious observers and influencers that showed up to stir the pot. This little diorama features a mounted Francesco Coppini, the Bishop of Turni (Turin) and Papal Legate, who played an influential role in that he sided with the Yorkists at Northampton and offered them a plenary remission of all sins, while at the same time damning the Lancastrians with the most extraordinary of ex-communications – a mass anathema (formal curse) on them all. The Yorkists did end up winning the battle...

The original concept had them just standing on a road, but I ended up going with more uneven terrain.

Smiting enemies in progress.

"No, no! That one over there!"

I built up a small hill using green stuff for the mounted rider, that way the other figure wouldn't block him visually. It worked out well.

All the bill & bow figures come from the Perry WOTR plastic and metal figure lines, while Coppini and his associate are from the Perry European Armies metal line. The Fauconberg banner is courtesy Pete’s Flags - I like his product line as he has many of the WOTR commanders' banners well designed. All the basing and materials are as per my previous posts.

I’m still working on Fauconberg’s command stand as well as some more bill & bow, but I also need to start thinking about which Lancastrian force he’ll be facing off against soon. More to come!

 

23x 28mm figures = 115pts

1x 28mm mounted figure = 10pts

I am really enjoying this Battle of Northampton project Andrew.  To my mid, having historical context is great driver.  Great work on Chamberlain, though I did get a chuckle out of the grass on his face bit.  Been there, done that!  I have those Perry Cardinals and they are great figures.  Well done sir.