Sgt Ezekiel Hays, Texas Rangers 1858

 Here's the next Texas Ranger. Sergeant Ezekiel hays. Lovely Foundry model. Very evocative of the period! 

Captain Josiah C Ford, Texas Rangers

 The second Ranger for my What a Cowboy Texas Ranger posse, circa 1858. Painted this guy with an ex-army background and deliberately set out to make the colours richer and more vibrant to make him stand out as posse leader. Really pleased with the effect! 

Texas Rangers for What A Cowboy

First model complete for my 1858 Texas Ranger patrol for What A Cowboy. Foundry model painted in my usual 'dip and highlight' style. He was fun to paint! 

More to come soon!

Wargaming the Age of the Anglo-Saxons at Sutton Hoo.

On Sunday 30.07.23 National Trust at Sutton Hoo are presenting ‘Wargaming the Age of the Anglo-Saxons.’ The event is free with general site admission and features James Morris and chums leading participation games of the Battle of the River Idle (616) and the Battle of Degsastan (603) throughout the day.

Visitors will also be able to speed paint a free plastic Anglo-Saxon warrior courtesy of Gripping Beast Miniatures. 

With Anglo-Saxon re-enactment on-site on the day (the Sae Wylfings group) this really is the perfect Dark Ages day out! 

Wiglaf Miniatures Unarmoured Anglo-Saxons and Skirmishers

 Real life got in the way a bit lately but here is the latest batch of Wiglaf 18mm Angles from Edwin's retinue in the army of Raedwald of East Anglia.

Wiglaf Miniatures Anglo-Saxon Hearthguard

 Here is the hearthguard unit to accompany Edwin, exiled Prince of Deira in my East Anglian 7th Century army. It was created from a mix of the Armoured Saxons and Armoured Vendel packs from Wiglaf Miniatures. I'm really pleased with how these turned out! 

Wiglaf Miniatures 15/18mm 7th Century Anglo-Saxons

 Well, despite plans to paint US Cavalry, nothing got done! 

Instead I found myself buying a whole army of the fabulous Mark Copplestone sculpted 15/18mm Saxons of the 7th century AD - commissioned by Dan 'Lion Rampant' Mersey who owns Wiglaf Miniatures. The 7th century is a brilliant era to game and is very poorly served by historically accurate miniatures: Until now!

These were a joy to paint despite their small size.

This is Edwin, exiled prince of the Northern Anglian kingdom of Deira fighting in the service of King Raedwald of the East Angles at the Battle of the River Idle in 616AD, the battle where Northumbrian king Aethelfrith (who had exiled Edwin and tried to have him murdered several times) was defeated. Whereupon Edwin became king of a united Northumbria. 

I'm working my way through Raedwald's army (for the upcoming Midgard rules, but they'll also do for Dux Bellorum and Dan Mersey's own Age of Penda rules) in the first instance although once Wiglaf Miniatures release Saxon cavalry, the army will do double duty as both East Anglians and the Northumbrians of King Ecgfrith (who came to grief at the battle of Dunnichen against the Picts.)

Edwin's hearth guard will follow shortly but for now here's Edwin with his bannerbearer (banner from LBM)