Normans in Italy Pt 4

 

Now for the Kavallarioi.  These are all Fireforge Games.  I mixed in some archers to represent the rear row of archers in the formation.  

To differentiate this unit from the other, I decided to have them be heavily armored. I think the metal barding came out good.  I painted it mostly silver and tinted it red with Speed Paint.  

To add some mobility and range to the army, I added two units of light missile troops. These could represent Skythikoi, nomadic mercenaries, or Turkopoloi, Christianized Turks.  Again, they are Fireforge Games. 

For the command elements, I used Gripping Beast with Little Big Men Studios flag transfers. 

With this army complete, I am now caught up with my painting.  After I finish the other armies, I may go back and add a unit of Latin mercenary knights.  If I have any figures left over.  

For my Norman army, I have finished a unit of crossbowmen, archers, spearmen, and dismounted knights.  They just need to be varnished and based.  Which hopefully will happen this weekend.  I also have a unit of retainers I just primed on the painting table.  Got to keep motivated, I'm over half way done with this project!

Thanks for looking. 

Justin

Normans in Italy Pt 3

 

Now that the Lombards are finished, for now...  I started on my next army, the main opponents of my future Normans, the Byzantines.  While reading up on Byzantium during this time, I quickly realized that I wanted to follow the rule of cool and add whatever I wanted while keeping it relatively historical.  This army is mainly made up from Fireforge Games with some Victrix, Crusader, and Gripping Beast added to the mix.  One of the traits of the army was that the units combined missile troops in the back rows of the formation.  I pondered on how to show this in the units sizes for Hail Caesar.  I feel like I came up with an adequate solution. 

First up are the Kontaratoi.  For the first unit, I wanted to make a large unit so it has 4 bases instead of the normal 3.  I read somewhere that by this time, archery across the board had declined.  Not that people stopped using the bow, they just were not that good.  To represent this visually, I mixed in some slings as these were easier to use. 

Next, I wanted to add some variety to the army.  To represent some mercenary tribesmen, I mixed some Victrix Rus and Saxons.  I like the "not from around here" vibe they give off. 

Finally, what Byzantine army would be complete without some Varangians?  This unit was made up from Crusader and Gripping Beast metal Varangians.  I could have used Victrix Rus but I like the look of more "civilized" Varangians. Of both the Lombards and the Byzantines, this is the only unit to use shield transfers, the rest are hand painted.   

Up next are the mounted units.  Thanks for looking.

Justin