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Opinions please - best Medieval French knights out there?

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:51 pm
by Skullzgrinda
I realize the Medieval French list is a blunt instrument, but I like them anyway. Blunt instruments lend themselves to crude plans.

Anyway, I really do not understand the evolution of European plate armor, and find its various, rapid, regional transmutations baffling. I am not interested in it enough to make a study of it, but don't want laughably incorrect troops out there, either.

Of the present models available, who makes the best 15mm minis for French chivalry at the time of Jeanne d'Arc?

TIA

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 11:16 pm
by hammy
Have a look at the Donnington new era range and Mirlton and Corvus Belli

Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 11:35 pm
by Skullzgrinda
hammy wrote:Have a look at the Donnington new era range and Mirlton and Corvus Belli
I will do so. I have ordered a number of items from the Donnington New Line camp accessories, and they are great.

I think I have been trying to avoid the "hounskull" helmets http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hounskull and caparisoned horses. Looks like this is as vain an aspiration as trying to avoid nasal helms and kite shields in 12th century western Europe. So be it.

Thanks for these tips.

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:16 pm
by berthier
William,

I have some of the Donnington New Era figures that I can bring with me to Average Joe to show to you. The foot are a tad bit slighter in build than comparable Essex figs but the mounted mix pretty good on the same base with Essex.

Christopher Anders

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:27 pm
by Skullzgrinda
That scale sounds ideal, Chris. I would indeed like to see some. I have a couple, but they are personality figures rather than rank and file soldaten.

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:42 pm
by Mehrunes
Corvus Belli is only for the early stages of the HYW.

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:55 pm
by Skullzgrinda
Mehrunes wrote:Corvus Belli is only for the early stages of the HYW.
This is where I get all confused, and really can't tell one pig snout bascinet from another.

I would specifically go for Jeane d'Arc, so I suppose I need the "mid" 100 years war?

Donnington does at least designate these as such.

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:13 pm
by Mehrunes
Or even late. The fashion of the knights is the easiest way to tell if the miniatures are appropriate. I also couldn't tell some time ago but some short wikipedia research should be enough.
Surcoats and caparisoned horses were out of fashion by 1430 so Corvus Belli is more for the Crecy and Poitiers time.
The infantry is not so important, you should be able to use the same miniatures for the whole war (except dismounted knights).

Imagine poorer guys wearing even grandpa's helmet but knights would most likely follow the latest fashion.

A good start is Essex. They have a new knight miniature for nearly every ten years and its equipment is even described.
For 1430 it has armet helmets and first sallets and of course, plate armour.

Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 9:45 pm
by Skullzgrinda
TY all! I think I can begin ordering lead - always a pleasant thing to do.