Clubmen

During the Civil Wars in The Three Kingdoms there was widespread destruction and looting, to help prevent this, in some areas, groups of locals clubbed together to form an armed resistance to whichever army came their way. These bands of armed civilians became known as Clubmen. This term became common for any local civilian militias, whith a number of Clubmen joining the Parlamentarian side at the battle of Leeds.

“I marched from Bradford with six troops of horse, and three companies of dragons… and near one thousand musketeers and two thousand clubmen, under the command of Sir William Fairfax” General Fairfax

Warlord games do a superb characterful range of metal Clubmen in their Pike and Shotte range, are among my favourites in their range, however I decided I needed a few more to bolster my collection. These four are plastic clubmen, ready to aid or hinder Hawksby’s forces depending as they see fit! These are all converted from Warlord plastics, with parts from other plastic kits with scratch scythe and pitch fork tools. The bodies are from the Warlord Plastic Infantry Sprue some of the heads and the axe arm are from the Gripping Beast Dark Ages Warriors sets and the hammer arms are from the Perry miniatures English Army 1415-1429 set.

WIP shots:

Gabriel Whitestone

Whitestone is the shadowy agent of the crown, little is known about him, other than his fearsome reputation as a killer. He first came to notoriety during the bloody sacking of Magdeburg. It is said that he led many of the soldiers in the slaughter of the inhabitants and his own death toll for that day was in the hundreds. A true mercenary Whitestone will fight for any side that pays, who is paying him and for what in Yorkshire in 1643 is something of a mystery.

This miniature is made from Warlord Games Pike and Shotte Plastic cavalry sprue. The right arm is repositioned and the left arm is from the Gripping Beast Dark Ages Warriors boxed set. His Head is from Crooked Dice Games.

WIP Picture, showing the assembled mini before painting:

Nehemiah Cross and Joseph Peat

Cross (left) Was originally from Northumberland and drifted into Yorkshire in the mid 1630’s after fighting with Leslie army on the continent in the 1620’s. Cross is a wild an unprdictable fellow, mostly known for keeping himself to himself, and bouts of rage on the battlefield that have been known to frighten both friend and foe. Often seen wielding the Warhammer he famously took from the hand of a cavalry officer he slew during the breaking of the Siege of Stralsund.

Peat (Right) Was the son of a Nottingham tradesman,  who was tried for sedition, and hanged by King Charles’ men. Having sworn revenge on all followers of the King Peat fled to his sisters cottage in Yorkshire. There he joined Hawksby’s regiment. He is an educated man and is of a republican mindset, believing that all Kings are wicked and the rule of the land must be given to it’s people. He is a boisterous rebel rouser and can often be found debating matters of government or religion, with anyone who is willing to argue with him.

Both miniatures are Warlord Games plastic miniatures. From their Pike and Shotte infantry sets. Peat has had a simple head swap with a Gripping Beast Plastic Dark Ages Warrior. Cross is made up from two different Pike and shote musketeers, cut at the waist and joined to get the turing pose, his arms are from the spares box,and the Warhammer is from the Warlord Plastic Pike and Shotte Cavalry boxed set.

WIP shot:

 

Pickering and Jones, Musketeers

Hew Pickering, left, and Daniel Jones
Often found griping together, or fighting side by side together, usually involved int he reckless schemes of Matthew Rook, Pickering and Jones are both life long soldiers, sailing over to Europe as young lads they fought with Sir Thomas in every battle he has been in. Both are known equally for their fierce abilities in hand to hand combat, as well as being well schooled in the use of the musket. They are both staunch protestants, and Pickering can often be found singing hymns or reciting the few verses of scripture he has committed to memory, however their religion doesn’t extend to affecting the hours they spend in ale houses and inns, given the chance.

Both miniatures are from Warlord Games Pike and Shotte infantry sprue. Pickering’s head is from the Perry Miniatures Mahadists boxed set. Both of their right arms are from the Warlord Games Pike and Shotte Cavalry set and Jones’ left arms a Bolt Action plastic arm, his back slung musket is from The Assault Group.

WIP:

Lawson Pymm

Lawson Pymm is a life long soldier, the illegitimate son of an army officer Lawson grew up on army camps and billets in various places across Germany. Taking the name of his english mother, a camp follower who died when Lawson was merely 7 years old. Lawson is a tough fighter and experienced veteran. He has been a loyal member of Hawksby’s foote, and fought commendably in the action at Skipwithe village.

 

This miniature follows the rough procedure laid out here for making a plastic kneeling musketeer. The starting point is from the Warlord games plastic AZW infantry, I used the body and head of one of these, and then added plastic Pike and Shotte hat and arms.

Kneeling Musketeer

I have wanted plastic Kneeling musketeers for some time now and wanted one in particular for a larger model. Having picked up some of the AZW British on a whim in the recent Warlord Games sprue sale I decided to try to use one of the kneeling ones as the basis for a conversion. The base is not done because he will be part of a larger base.

I was fairly pleased with the results. I think the Putees are just a little bit short for the typical stockings worn in the 1700’s, but nothing I can’t live with. The powder casks were quite hard to do, in the end I cut up a musket rest.

Here are some WIP shots.

What you need:

Cut off the pouches, epaulets, and tidied up the putees:

Green stuff added for hair, and to smooth over the waist:

The Full Regiment

Lord Hawksby’s Regiment of Foote.

Not brilliant photos but these show the full regiment in miniatures. Obviously I will be adding to this over time, and there will be Firelocks, command and a few more characters yet to come.

Although all the miniatures came from the Warlord Games Pike and Shotte Imperial Infantry boxed set these minis are using parts from about 11 different sets of plastic and metal miniatures. Here the musketeers are ranked 3 deep, but they could be put into two ranks for wider frontage.

More Musketeers

Blake Milbourne is the son of a merchant. Having no head for business and not wishing to take over from his father Blake has tried his hand at many trades, but until joining Lord Hawksbey’s regiment blake has spent the last few years working in a printers shop.

William Lilly is a Londoner who fled the city after getting into a drunken brawl. He made his way north doing odd jobs, he has spent the last 10 years working as a hired labourer, often on Lord Hawksby’s estates, and is known locally as a dependable pair of hands. He signed on to fight in a moment of ale fuelled enthusiasm.

Again the starting point for both miniatures are from the Warlord Games Pike and shotte plastic range. They both have arms from the Warlord Games Bolt Action plastic Commandos set and replacement muskets from The Assault Group.

2 Musketeers

Jason Bayly was a fisherman. When his brother was killed fighting for the cause of Parliament Jason decided that he could no longer sit by the sidelines, and despite the protests of his mother and wife signed up to fight.

Ed Cradock. Little is known about Ed before he joined Hawksby’s regiment. He is a crack shot and a tough character, well suited to the rigours of life at war. He is also noted for his skill with the knife, and to the annoyance of some others he is known for his oaths and curses. Many suspect him to be a poacher… or worse. What led him to join the ranks still remains a mystery.

Both miniatures are from the Warlord Games Pike and shotte plastic range. Jasons Face is from the Warlord Games plastic Hail Cesar Celts box. Ed’s arm is from the Wargames Factory Persians sprue and his musket is a metal spare from The Assault Group.

Sir Ralfe Stapleton

Sir Ralfe is an Infantry Commander, he has many years of campaign experience and is a seasoned commander. He fought on the side of the Swedish at the battle of Lützen in 1632 and under the command of Alexander Leslie at the battle of Wittstock four years later. He returned to England in 1640 and spent time helping Sir Thomas to gather and train his regiment as conditions between the king and Parliament deteriorated in the spring and summer of 1642. Stapleton is a tough no nonsense officer, noted for his calm head and personal bravery, many of his men look up to him with awe. He is Lord Hawksby’s most trusted Infantry officer, and as a result the one often given the most difficult jobs.

His unusual sword is a family heirloom was passed down to him from his maternal great great grandfather who, it is said, fought against the Turkish at the great Siege of Malta.

The miniature for Sir Ralfe is from the Warlord Games Pike and Shotte plastic command sprue. His right arm is a spare taken from the Warlord Games 30 Years War Swordsmen blister pack.