More El Cid

 

Having returned to the Reconquista I find myself on a roll. Much had been done before the abandonment. Little was needed to complete new units.  There are re-enforcements for every faction.

Here are some Andalusian javelin men. Skirmishers or a second rank behind the spearmen.

Berbers from Donnington New Era and the very old Originals.

 

The new above, the old below. Berbers could be found on all sides.

 

The Andalusians get two new units of horse archers.

 

All from Forged in Battle.

 

As are these heavy cavalry.

These Andalusian slingers too.

Now to the Christians. 

 

They get some heavy cavalry. The elite of the Christian armies. Donnington New Era figures. The ones top of the page are Minifigs.  

Like the Berbers Christian soldiers fought for Andalusian and Berber armies. The Andalusians likewise for Christians and Berbers.

 

More Christian Jinetes. 

Some Basque javelin men from Minifigs.

Old Glory archers, perhaps Goths or some such. I think they will do for Spain.

In terms of rules I intend to co-opt Dan Mersey's Clerics and Heroes concept. 

El Cid Again

I had the beginnings of a Moorish Spain Project here a few years ago.  The tag was Tell Cid. Passible witty, if you got the reference. Perhaps puzzling otherwise. It stalled, the project that is.

Anyhow, now it is back courtesy of a War Hammer publication -El Cid. It is years old and I bought it from a lad in Germany. The El Cid book is great for inspiration and I’m pleased with it. Nice to get it from Germany and in a timely fashion too. Last week I got Brent Oman's Ancient and Medieval Battle Command from the USA. I also got Harman Murtagh's The Irish Jacobite Army. They arrived in the same post.

One of the many things I enjoy about the hobby is its international aspect. There was an international trade network in the Bronze Age too. Until the Collapse.

So where are we? I thought I should do a Billhooks/Lion Rampant size force for each of the contenders. A protracted rummage through the Lead Pile and its sibling the Box of Forgotten Projects produced the following:

The Black Guard of Yusuf Ibn Tashfin. These fellows will get a second unit and some archers. Donnington New Era figures, you have to drill the hands which sometimes works.

Christian Town Militia. A couple of Museum figures and the rest from Essex via Colonel Bill's. Note the flag of St. Pelagius.  There were two St. Pelagius, this one's the scholar. I like the simplicity of this unit.

Basque light cavalry from Baueda. I have a few of these and they aren't bad at all. Not very lively though.

Andalusian Cavalry from Donnington New Era. Nice enough, paw drilling necessary.

Berber cavalry with a jolly Berber flag. Also from the brand of the broken hand.  I like these.

Mercenary Caballeros from Baueda. Part of a job lot and sold as Sicilian Normans. I think they work for Spain. One can take a flag, I have yet to locate one.

Mercenary Crossbows from Museum. Much to like I think.

Andalusian Town Militia from Forged in Battle. Arabs, should you want some.  Forged in Battle are good. I have lots of their Arabs. I intend to add green stuff tassels to the larger shields suiting them for Spain.

That's it so far but the project is securely re-launched.

I'll put the next batch up when they are done. Handily, most units could fight on either side.

A Company of SCW Moors in 15mm

 

These are all from Peter Pig. I think there is much to like about them.  A variety of poses, consistency in size, and detail galore.  I went for 15mm because I already have loads of Spanish scenery and 15mm is really what I’m used to. Click for a bigger pic'.

Here we have the Company HQ with the Captain, a lieutenant, two LMG teams and some riflemen. Flags were still important in the SCW and so we have a standard bearer too.

The first rifle section here with a lieutenant, standard bearer, sergeant, riflemen and a LMG team for support.

The second section follows the same structure.

It is for the period a very effective fighting group.  I might add a HMG.  In the meantime, they could have a couple of lorries for rapid deployment.  Let's see the whole Company again.

There are a lot of flags. It looks nice and works with the rules I have in mind.  Currently, I'm thinking of games with three companies a side with a bit of armour and artillery as an option.

It is not a huge project but it is shaping up to be a fun one.