From IainW: Livestock, militant cattle and the "Man of Blood" (110 points)

Finally, a first post, some livestock to go with my wagon train and also to be objectives.

One group of pigs based on Tamworth pigs which are the nearest breed to the medieval British hogs . The other group of pigs are based on the medieval Italian breed cinta senese, the chicken colours are based on medieval illustrations. The sheep are predominantly all white in the illustrations. The cattle are like the long dark cattle refered to in Irish /Scottish cattle raids and the like. These are all from a pegasus hobbies 1/48 plastic farm animals kit.

Next up is the man of blood, also known as King Charles the First, largely responsible for the war's in all three kingdoms.  You'd have to agree with Cromwell about that unless you're an Anglican as they made him a saint, well I guess it was his church!  I've shown him as per the Van Dyke equestrian portrait in the National Gallery and next to him is the royal standard.  Hopefully he won't drop it as happened at Nottingham at the start of the war. Charles is a Foundry figure and the standard bearer is an Essex figure, both in 25mm. 

And finally , cattle militant? A minotaur for my Curtgeld, he's an old Marauder games figure a subsidiary of GW back in the last century.  He's wielding a large lead spike. Under his left foot, he would have been based on those large square plastic bases GW used to make. 

Alternatively I could base him on a round MDF comsheep base and finish as per my Italian wars, which do you fancy Curt? 

An odd mixed bag, I've been rotten since before Christmas so it's surprising I've got anything done! I'm hoping to finish a unit of horse and some more command stands soon. 

Points wise 15 for Charles and standard ( also counting towards the renaissance duel ), 20 bonus points for Curtgeld  (I think),  30 for the cattle, 10 for the sheep and 5 each for adult pigs (totaling 10 points), and maybe 15 for the piglets and 6 for the chickens?  Which makes 106 points which seems a lot so happy to have any adjustments, otherwise I'll have to work fast to get off Nelson! 

All the best, Iain !

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Welcome to the Challenge, Iain!  That's quite a fantastic haul of plump livestock, poultry and cattle which would have any self-respecting Border Reiver, tartar, cossack, croat or 'Neer-do-well' excited from Hawick to Mohacs!  And all accompanied by an ill-fated King, and a Minotaur.... I feel this is almost a heraldic puzzle going on here!

They're a wonderful collection of figures.  I particularly like the way you've depicted Charles I with the Royal Standard.  When one is a King (and a King of England at that), one really should not be out and about on a battlefield without a Royal Standard and a trusty retainer.

I also really like the way you've collected the plunder - ooops, my apologies - "livestock animals" on bases which should make their theft - oops, sorry again - dispersion on the field easier. And that's a fantastic Minotaur, in really lovely natural colours.  

Great work, Sir.  I make that 110 points in total (adding a couple for the lovely standard, and for your erudite description of Italian pigs).  Bellisima!!