From Dallas: Simon de Montfort in the Knights Solar (30 points)

OK! On to Level 3 of the Dungeon and into the Knights Solar with a 28mm knight from Curteys Miniatures...

This model is the first in my long-collected but not-yet-started Second Barons' War project. I have literally hundreds of unpainted models in a drawer for this one - mounted knights, dismounted knights, armed foot, and archers... from Curteys, Black Tree, and many many many from the Wargames Foundry.

I wanted to start with a "hero knight" on the project and who better than Simon de Montfort, the leader of the Barons' faction. Born in 1205, the sixth Earl of Leicester was a religious and principled man and a talented and experienced military leader. His opposition to the Henry III's weak leadership and corruption was made all the more difficult by the fact that Simon was the King's brother-in-law, being married to Henry's sister Eleanor.

I love the history of the Second Barons' War and the battles of Lewes (1264) and Evesham (1265), two of the only pitched battles to take place between knights in England in the 13th Century. My interest was really ramped up on our trip to the UK in 2019 when Pam and I visited Lewes. The castle is really cool and it's a nice walk from there to the ruins of the Priory and the Montfortian memorial. The ancient parts of the town really give you an idea of how cramped the quarters were for the battle.

So that's the start of this project and there's plenty more models to paint. I think next I'll paint Henry's son Prince Edward (later King Edward I), a man as devious and ruthless as his father was guileless and weak-willed. I have a few more of these nice Curteys castings for some noble hangers-on as well.

Ten points for a mounted 28mm model plus 20 for the room bonus makes 30 total... I'll try to keep the posts coming this week as I have a backlog of painted Chamber-fodder to get up there.

Stay safe all!