All the ECW horse

Today chum Ian came around and helped me to sort out all of my ECW cavalry. I say sort- many of the regiments had become mixed up after their last outing (at the Wargames Holiday Centre- three or even four years ago!), and we had to work out what fitted with what. I've recently added three or four new regiments bringing the total to eighteen. You can click on the above image for a closeup. 

Better still, I've recorded a brief YouTube video, below, describing them- I think it is the first I've ever posted. I hope you enjoy it.

On Sunday I'll have the majority of these cavalry and a few infantry, too, at Partizan in Newark. I hope to see some of you there!

To Horse, you Gallant Princes!

It has been far to long since I posted on this blog! With preparations underway for a big Roundway Down game at Partizan in May, I find I need to base more generals, more guns but, most of all, more ECW cavalry. Here's the first of three new new units. This is a Royalist regiment- I like them to be a little more dynamic than their sober Puritan peers, also they carry Royalist cornets. You can click on the image for a closeup.

These are what Andrew and I describe as "Swedish" horse in our For King and Parliament rules- more aggressive than their adversaries who often fought in defensive "Dutch" formations, at least in the first year or so of the war. Most of these miniatures are the excellent Bicornes, intermixed with a few Renegades. Many came from an eBay purchase but others were beautifully painted by Shaun McTague. By the end of May I will have 18 regiments of horse and some independent troops- I only need 14 for Roundway, so I can leave out recognisable units that weren't present at the battle.

"Swedish"-style horse

Here are a couple of regiments of "Swedish"-style horse for the coming Salute game. "Swedish" tactics were introduced from the continent and promoted by Prince Rupert. Three ranks deep, "Swedes" would charge aggressively, reserving their pistols for the moment of contact. Many rules refer to them as "gallopers", although they would more likely charge at a "good round trot". Initially only the Royalists fought in this manner, but in 1644 the Parliamentarians had also adopted it and both sides fought in the same manner.

These are Redoubt horse that I bought ready painted (and got a few more painted, to match). I don't like them quite as much as the Bicornes I generally use- that said, some of the minis have great character and animation and the sizes are broadly compatible with Bicorne. Funnily enough, whilst writing this, a third Redoubt regiment that I'd bought on eBay and forgotten about, just arrived in the post.

One thing that I do feel strongly about, is adequately representing the unusually high ratio of horse to foot in some ECW battles. I intend to base a LOT of horse; up to 500 minis. :)