Anglo Danes Close Ups of Each Base (Unit Five)

Here are the close ups of the last unit I finished. So, why the close ups? First off it allows for the bases to be seen as individual interactions or conversations between the miniatures. where possible, with my miniatures I try to make each model look like it is part of an organic fighting force This is the case even in Victorian era armies as you can see here:

This is all the more important with vignettes (to state the obvious):

In the case of the Anglo Danes I wanted to evoke the frantic crush of battle as portrayed in the Bayeux Tapestry. To conjure up the press, the desperation, the sheer brutality and belligerence as illustrated on that famous embroidery.

I hope that, in some small way I have managed to touch upon the press of battle as elucidated in the tapestry in some small way.

All the images in this article, are as usual, "clickable" if you would like to enlarge the pictures.

Huscarl Base 1:

Huscarl Base 2:

Huscarl Base 3:

Fyrd Base 1:

Fyrd Base 2:

Fyrd Base 3:

Anglo Danish Huscarls/Fyrd Unit Five

Continuing with the painting momentum created with the completion of the Italian Mounted Arquebusiers unit a few days ago, and after a week of waiting for the gloss coat to to fully cure before matting down, I have completed yet another unit, this time for my Anglo Danes army, which now, excluding command bases, Shieldwall markers casualty and contains 120 miniatures. With another unit of Huscarls/Fyrd, a unit of Viking Mercenaries and two skirmishing units to complete the end finally seems in sight.

The Anglo Danish army of the 11th Century, arguably the best infantry in Europe at the time has always fascinated me. How could such a steadfast an object as Harold Godwinson's royal army lose at the Battle of Hastings? It is a mystery. Were they doomed from the start following on from Harold's forced march from  being exhausted after the fight at Stamford Bridge? Then to march down the spine of the country to face William? Or, was Harold too eager for battle and neglected to rest his army and more importantly, build it up into a larger force, which he had time enough to do? Or, maybe it was pride or dishonour as William ravaged his Harold's personal landholdings, that forced Harold into a hasty battle?

We will almost certainly never know, but to speculate is the way of the wargamer.

So, onto the completed brushwork. Again I have mixed things up with the choice of miniatures with Footsore (Matthew Bickley), Footsore (Bill Thornhill), Saxon Miniatures, out of production Gripping Beast, (later) Griping Beast and Wargames Foundry (Matthew Bickley)!