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.