From Kerry T - In days of old when nights were bold....450 + points ( I think)?

Morning, afternoon & evening all

For most of the challenge,  I have found myself in the medieval period where there is a wealth of stories and legends. Of course, many are famous and ingrained in our psyche, particularly if we were born in the UK. Who has note been regaled by stories of Arthur & Merlin, Robin Hood and his Merry men and countless others

During medieval times, heroic deeds and acts of chivalry carried out by the great and the good of the land were regaled in ballads sung by the bards. Because of this, for my last post of the “Sweet Sixteen” challenge I thought I might tell you all such a story. Like a bedtime sort of story so you'll probably fall asleep 

The actions of one of Wales’ greatest knights though once prominent and in those days on the tip of every bard’s tongue somehow became lost until its recent discovery. Thus we arrive at the Ballad of  Sir Creshan of Deheubarth. So join me if you will by the fire, pull up a chair and close you eyes and imagine. (Er On second thoughts it’s probably best that you don’t close your eyes as you won’t be able to see the pictures which would defeat the whole object)

In days of  old when knights were bold…

The Bard Gerald of Wales will help us recount the tale...

Behold Sir Creshan and his trusty squire - Pod

Sir Creshan has no lord, he's a hedge knight and is sleeping under one

Sir Creshan is on his way to a tourney where he plans to earn fame and fortune by winning and so marry the love of his life, Lord Lucan's elder daughter Lucretia who will no doubt be unable to avoid his advances should he win and so become a knight of renown

She's on the right wearing blue

Of course one of the reasons he wants to marry her is because she has big chests

What were you thinking, take your mind out of the gutter, these chests are full of money

Anyway I digress....

This is Sir Creshan's old squire, Hodor, but he had to let him go...

At the last tournament on the circuit though Sir Creshan had been victorious he had somewhat unfortunately be the source of much jest and mirth because of the unfortunate well stupid actions actually of his then Squire Hodor. Now Hodor wasn’t the sharpest tool in the box and when asked to repaint Sir Creshan’s shield with his Leopard heraldry misconstrued or misheard  and a dreadful scene followed " I said paint a Leopard -L -E - O-P-A-R-D - there's no T in Leopard you stupid boy.

Fighting with a leotard on your shield is not really the way to garner favour with lords and ladies

This is Pod, Sir Creshan's new squire

Being a squire is hard work

The day hasn't started well because they slept late  and its worse when they get to the bridge where's there's obviously an ye olde traffic jam where carts are piled up waiting to cross

"Pod, I'm in a hurry, tell those peasants to get a move on as I'm an important man you know"

5 mins later - "well? "

"He's signaling sir - I think he's saying it will take 2 hours to cross"

It soon become apparent what the trouble is and Sir Creshan springs into action

A river troll it seems

Finally Sir Creshan is victorious

On with his journey and into the forest.....

Ni, ni, ni - you shall not pass...

Thank goodness for the shrubbery, not too expensive

If that's not bad enough, a few miles on and another says Sir Creshan shall not pass....

The dreaded Black Knight..

Call it a draw?

Meanwhile with his back turned and horse left unattended it looks like some thieving sod has made off with his horses hooves and shoes ( The current practice of stealing car wheels and leaving the car on a pile of bricks originated in Medieval times)

Off to the blacksmith

Then there was the matter of that magic sword

Arthur you little sod, come here. Where did you get that sword, you could get someone’s eye out with that, You wait till your father gets home he will brain you for stealing that sword – now take it back to where you find it and not only that if his lordship finds out you’ll be on one of those boats to Australia

Next off to see the Mad Bishop at the church for a blessing

Nobody was expecting this

At the tourney Sir Creshan's first opponent was disqualified for wearing a dress and being improperly dressed and his second was a little odd

But look behold

Unfortunately not all medieval tales have an happy ending....

Poor Sir Creshan, all hot and melted.....

Apologies a mad rush and only just in

So In summary - 455b p0its in foot and horse, 3 wagons and a troll and dragon

_____________________________

Wow, amazing work and such a rollicking story, Kerry! I loved how the saga of poor Creshan (it's all very Welsh, you know) allows us to have a wonderful tour of your collection, both new and old. So much to take in. Of the group, I especially like the jousting knights and, of course, the red dragon. Amazing brushwork and all beautifully photographed amongst your stupendous terrain. Bravo on this final parting volley, Kerry! I look forward to seeing you with us next winter for Challenge XVII.

- Curt

From Kerry T: Once more unto the breach (205 points)

 Morning, afternoon & evening all

When I started this challenge I envisaged that I would paint a fair chunk of my English and French 100 year war armies, focusing mainly on French Mounted Knights and more dismounted English Knights and Men at Arms. Last year I prepped some Perry Plastics and metals from their Agincourt range though they remain well down the painting queue.  The main reason for this is that I've developed more of an interest in the Edwardian phase of the 100YW. In short I've listened to too many audiobooks from authors like David Gilman, Griff Hosker and lately Dan Jones (Essex dogs) and others. Listening to audiobooks while you paint can be very distracting and easily set somebody like myself off on tangents and plays havoc with my painting plans.

Early on in the challenge I somehow wandered back into the Reconquista so displacing my Claymore Casting figures that continue to sit untouched on their bottle tops where they've been for the past 6 months or longer.  I hope I can get a few knights painted in the next week. The only substantial post depicting newly painted 100YW figure I've managed so far was for last week's Resistance bonus theme centered around a siege. I didn't manage to get all that I wanted done in time for that so this week I've decided to add to the scene or scenario by producing more English foot and a few French foot.

An overall view of the siege

The siege towers move closer

This week's figures are all from the Medbury Miniatures 100YW range which I had previously printed. I wanted some figures that I could use to populate the siege towers . I decided I would base them on 3 x 6cms bases in the hope that they would fit but also come together to form a standard unit usable in an ordinary game

Last base lower right doesn't fit as his sword is held upright

I decided to base others on single bases in anticipation of creating retinues for the recently released Ecorcheurs game written  by historian Rob Jones and released by Groping Beast. This is what comes of listening to too many audiobooks and wanting to send your figures on a chevauchee through French lands. 

Some are based singly and others in smaller than usual close order bases

In the audiobooks I've been listening to, the men in the retinue of Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent seem to feature prominently along with those of William de Bohun, Earl of North Hampton - this made selecting an English retinue quite easy

Thomas Holland's retinue

This is where its handy to have a brilliant minion - normally we in the "Down Under" group meet on line on a Tuesday and Thursday evening for a paint  and chat. On Thursday I mentioned to Millsy that I was going to try and paint off a banner for Thomas Holland because I'd already used the one I had previously bought in a close order unit. Less than 10 minutes later he's got Chat GTP to make me one from scratch that will pass muster, Its in the picture above. 

Cheers Millsy, I think you should award yourself a flag bonus!

I hadn't given much thought to the French opposition so I gave them shields from some closely related French Nobles  that looked similar. The only problem is that having made these a few months ago after a bit of research, I can't remember who they are! all I know is that looking at the picture above they're a bit fishy! They may even have been from Luxembourg

Anyway, if my fictional audiobooks are anything to go by then its certain that Thomas Holland's men were good in a scrap so let's chuck them into the breach

Have at them lads

The reception is hot

The shield transfers are home made

Meanwhile those based in close order find themselves in the siege towers (if they can fit)

In summary

41 x 28mm Foot figures @ 5 points = 205

No squirrels on account of the fact its hard to kill a squirrel with a sword!

Many thanks and best wishes for the last week of the challenge

Valleyboy 

From Millsy:

Holy cow, another belter of a siege entry mate! After last week I thought you might take it easy, especially with golf on the cards too but I was WAY off the mark. Another 40+ gorgeously painted miniatures to feast our eyes on and a continuation of the narrative from last week complete with commentary and a storyboard. Do you ever sleep?

You are most welcome re the banner, it was an absolute blast working through that together in real time. It certainly looks the business. What a world we live in now right? From pitch, to concept, to reality in the time it takes me to put the bins out. Twelve year old Millsy starting out gaming couldn't have imagined what was ahead.

This lot nudges you back into top slot on the points roster but only just. Can you maintain the rage?

Cheers,

Millsy