A Bit more of the Black Bande.

Well, Ive managed to complete the final sub unit of my Black Bande, or so I thought. I have been re reading The Art of War in Italy, where there are several mentions of the Szorza Black Bande,
 and what was of great interest was that Giovanni Szorza having seen the effectiveness of arquebusiers, formed a mounted unit of such which he used as an early form of dragoon. Well I did have a couple of spare flags, so I think the bande might grow a bit more.

 The Black Bande as it stands at the moment.

Anyway, not forgetting my original aim, I have been busy adding to Cesare's Papal contingent, with a unit of pike, with the odd pavise included.I took this idea from the last episode of the Borgias, where the Papal troops storm Forli castle.

 It looks a bit of a motley unit, but that actually was the look I was going for. I bought these figures unpainted off E Bay, and they were advertised as Foundry figures, but I think that is clearly wrong. Still I still like the figures.

 The pike with its sub unit of crossbowmen.

  If everything goes to plan, I hope to have based two units of gendarmes, one of which are a delight to look at. Unfortunately I didnt paint them, still they are mine, and look really fine.

The Black Bande return.

As promised, I have taken some more photographs, now that Pete [ of Pete's Flags] has done my standards for me, [and brilliant they are too]
Additionally I have added the third rank to the pike, to make them up to a 32 figure unit.I have also added some sword and buckler troops to the bande. Now there is only a small unit of mounted crossbow to complete. I always said the Bande would end up as a sort of legion.
 I have also painted up a Giovanni Szorza to lead the bande.

 My Pro Gloria pike unit,with a couple of Foundry thrown in for fun.

Foundry swordsmen, with a banner all the way from Spain.
 

 My interpretation of Giovanni Szorza.

Another photograph to show off the diverse nature of the Bande.

                                                                Giovanni Szorza.

 I have also been painting up some more heavy cavalry, using a combination of plastic Perry figures, and metal personalities from their Wars of the Roses range.
 I wanted to see if a mix, added heft to the plastic bases. I personally think it does, although you have to be careful picking them up. Pick them up by the metal figure to be sure.

 I've decked most of the cavalry out in the Borgia colours,just to make them stand out.

Pro Gloria do some interesting civilian types, which I had to have. I particularly like the chap dressed to frighten the bejeasus out of the peasants.

And finally my latest version of Cesare, ready to lead his conglomerate army to glory[ one hopes]
Im not totally convinced by the figures, which are bicorne I believe, but they will do until I find a more suitable chap. Still he looks the part.

 So there we are one year! on in this project, and I haven't deviated too much from the aim, of rebuilding my army of Cesare Borgia. I still have a lot of unpainted troops, including a lot of Connoisseur figures to paint.. I haven't actually checked on how many units I have painted, but I think its certainly enough to fight a decent sized game.