Way back in 1976 when I left college Minifigs released a line of figure for War of the Roses. As I later discovered they perhaps owed more to the Froissart Chronicle and other medieval manuscripts than they did to the historical arms, armour and costume of the period. They provided a large number of enjoyable games over several years and being a little short of archers morphed first into a Milanese Condottieri army for my one and only venture into competition gaming, and then into the basis of a Burgundian force. The collection gained more figures from Garrison - the Burgundian range, and later from Foundry. The Foundry figures were my army for two campaigns run at the Telford club. A complete fictional campaign of the Wars of the Roses Warwicke's Grate Rebellione being the second of them. My retinue was that of Stafford complete with hand painte knots on every livery coat, and hand painted banners. I still have them and will no doubt clean dust them off for photo's.
However, I digress. The publication of Never Mind the Billhooks reminded me that in the garage I have a few boxes of plastic figures awaiting attention, so off I went. In moving a couple of boxes I cam across a couple labelled with the Cross of Burgundy, and another with Stafford in big friendly efforts. I openned the box and there and then Never Mind turned into A Load of Old Billhooks as I realised that I had enough of my original collection to field 2 forces quite happily with a number of what - if options. Still stung by the lack of archers a swift email to Caliver confirmed that the figures were still in production and a sample of archers was ordered. The first dozen WR14 are painted and based, green for the moment as befits such old school warriors.
Painted up in blue and white they will join the Somerset's retinue. Currently another 12 of the original army is being spruced up with an overpaint over the old enamels. So far it seems to work. In particular I need to play down the amount of armour my archers are sporting. The figures are cast with full jambes and sabots. The above have leather boots and cloth leg coverings. There is still some armour about the knees but .. And I discovered that the hundred years war archer is almost the same figure but with less armour, and so destined for the city militias and other retainers rather than household.
