Medieval Chapel - roof

The roof construction is basically a straightforward 'from the box' build. There are no changes needed and the model has a nice finely detailed wooden shingle roof, with a small prominent bell tower. The roof was painted Vallejo German Grey and then drybrushed with mid and lighter greys. The exposed wooden framework at both ends of the building have also been treated the same way whilst still attached to the sprue, which will be added once the walls have been painted.

Hoping to get this all done this weekend.

Medieval Chapel - stonework

I've now added the stonework to the bottom section of the walls, which cover up the extensions to the height. These are cut from some embossed plastic sheets that I had in the 'bits box', which were originally from a model railway water tower I think, but I can't recall the manufacturer. I tried to create an uneven finish to the line of foundation stones, which should contrast with the rendered upper sections of the walls. I made a mould for the door and took a casting from ProCreate putty; it sits a little bit too proud but I hope it'll blend in when painted. I filled in some of the missing stones at the corners by both cutting out individual stones and gluing on and by filling any remaining gaps with modelling putty. I also found an excuse to use Games Workshop's Liquid Green Stuff for the first time to smooth over cracks and it seems to work pretty well.

Next step will be to construct the roof.

Medieval Chapel build

The next few postings will relate my attempt to build a small medieval chapel, the type that would have been a typical site along roadsides before the Reformation and which I can use with any of my medieval armies. I'm taking a modest step out of my comfort zone of figure painting into converting a plastic kit.

The idea has been taken from one that John Boadle has already completed for his own collection and which looks absolutely great - mine will use the same approach - but won't match the quality of his. The framework is a Faller HO railway kit (which comes with numerous very useful shrines as you can see on the box lid).

First step is to raise the height to make it more compatible with 28mm figures. I've cut extra strips of plasticard and added to the foot of the walls. Those of you with keen eyesight will note how my inability to cut a straight section of plasticard attempts to recreate the odd angles seen in medieval structures(!!). I've blocked up the original doorway and window, as I'll add the larger door - one of John's castings that he very kindly given me to use on this model. The inside has been braced with some balsa struts as it has a degree of fragility as I'm not securing it to the original base that comes with the kit.

So far, so good. Next will be cladding the lower walls with stonework to disguise the lower walls.

French Crecy knights

I've recently purchased a new PC and when searching through my files, I found these pics that I'd taken some years ago. I thought I'd stretch the time period for this blog and little and post them up. Afraid they are older pics and I think if you click on them they'll be Ok to view?

They are French knights, from the earlier part of the Hundreds Years War, from a army that I started and completed these knights and a crossbow unit, but then never finished. They are Games Workshop Bretonnian figures from the 1990s; possibly still available second-hand now, Perry brothers sculpts I believe and one of the earlier renditions of plastic horses - which look a bit bulky by today's standards but which created nice flat surfaces for applying heraldry.

All are handpainted- 'twas a time before Steve Hales brought us all relief through pre-printed shield transfers etc. I think I added the crown to the helm of the French king figure too - probably the most complex bit of sculpting work I've done with green stuff (not sure how!). Perhaps one day I'll return to do the foot figures...but not sure if the eye sight can manage it these days!!

Wargames Illustrated Special

Just a quick post to say that WI magazine has published it's first 'special', entitled Great Wargames. This is essentially a glossy, full of pics of games that they've photographed over the last couple of years, probably since the current ownership.

There are two for the medieval period - the Verneuil 1424 game at this years Salute and Tewkesbury 1471 from last years show, which Michael Perry put on (and to which I modestly contributed some figures & encampment and played in the game).

Lots of eye candy here for other games, over a broad range of periods - WI were kind enough to send me a sample copy several weeks ago - good reference material and inspiration for future projects perhaps. Not sure if this is going to be available in WH Smiths or only by mail order?

I will gradually continue to add to this blog and my HYW armies, but work commitments and focus on my Burgundians (over on the other blog) are taking up my spare time at the moment.

Cheers for now.

Verneuil at Partizan II next week

Darrell Hindley, myself and others from the Lance & Longbow Society will be putting on the Verneuil 1424 game again, at the Partizan show in Newark, next Sunday 4th September. The Lance and longbow Society and the Society of Ancients have kindly collaborated to 'pool' their table space for the game. We should therefore be able to use all my terrain tiles and have a slightly wider table - "ooh feel the width!"

I have nearly finished some extra bits for the table, in addition to the casualties and vignettes already posted. Pictured here are a town market (a nice Total Battle Miniatures resin casting), some additional men at arms and heralds (painted by Jim Bowen and based by me) and a few individual figures plus baggage bits are at the varnish/basing stage, which will be in the English camp or the town. These have been a bit of a struggle for me to finish, as my focus is now firmly switching to my 1470s Burgundian Wars armies.

From my past experience the Partizan shows are always a very sociable affair; with participants and traders willing to take time out to chat and there are some nice looking games and collections on show. So if you're planning to be there please do come along and say 'hi', as it'll be great to put faces & names to avatars!

Hope to see you there.

Wargames Illustrated 286

Just a quick update to tell you that there is an article in the August Wargames Illustrated magazine on the battle of Verneuil. It runs to ten pages and includes lots of pictures of the Salute game, including some from this blog and close-ups of Darrell's fine casualty markers. Nigel Cook, one of the players at Salute, has written a historical setting for the battle and I've penned some words on how Darrell and I put on the game and how the re-fight went on the day.

Hope you enjoy reading it, if you're a consumer of WI mag.

Darrell and I are hoping to reprise the game at Partizan II in September and if so I'll try and get a few more figures done.