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.

Part of the Black Bande of Giovanni Szorza

Following my trip to Florence earlier this year, and the increasing role Caterina Szorza is playing in series three of the Borgias, I had to have my own Black Bande of Giovanni Szorza. I know that they were around a bit later, after the fall of Cesare.
But I'm sorry but its my army, and I need some sort of opponent.
 Anyway, there is a lot of argument [ well in the renaissance history world there is] about the make up of this unit.
 I know the consensus is that they were a unit of arquebusiers. But I also have seen that they could have been pike or even mounted arquebusiers.
 Well never being one to duck the accuracy of history, I am opting for a mixed legion!
 That is pike, arquebus, sword and buckler, some mounted light troops and a small artillery piece!
That should cover every option I think.
 I purchased the lovely Pro Gloria pike when they first came out and I have used them as the pikemen of the unit, with a mounted Foundry officer.

 Where are the flags one cries! Well I am hoping Pete, from Petes flags will have them ready in a week or so. [no pressure there Pete] and will them adorn the unit. I am currently adding a further three bases of pike to give it a hefty look. Always necessary in Blackpowder.

 The small gun is from Foundry's conquistador range, it is a lovely piece and will suffice for the legion.

The arqubus are a mix of Foundry landsnect and Foundry conquistadors. Of course Pro Gloria are gearing up to produce some arqubusiers later this month so I will probably replace these.

The combined legion partly completed.

 I also painted a couple of command stands, for the army. One may do as Cesare pending a more suitable figure. Both are from the Foundry range.

 Anyway, onwards and upwards........................

The Papal Guard.

You can never have enough Household troops, like the Old Garde, one needs a colourful unit of men that stand about looking pretty. Hence my small Papal guard.

 Made up of Perry, TAG nad Pro Gloria, the unit probably never fought for Cesare, but it was just to good to miss. You cant beat a man in a dress, especially when he has a great big halberd near him.

I also had to have these wonderful Pro Gloria one pound arquebusiers. Expensive, but too good to not own

 John kindly painted the chap in green, and showed me how they should be assembled.

 Finally, I have completed my first unit of Foundry Gendarmes, which were a joy to paint, after I had cleaned up the flash. In a rush to photograph them I haven't finished flocking the unit, but they still look pretty menacing. My army is slowly growing and is getting to look like a proper army now.
 PETE'S FLAGS look particularly impressive, definitely the most accurate and best on the wargames scene.

June was a busy month!

 I can only apologise for the dearth of posts during June. It was a very busy time, with work, and more importantly trips to see Bruce Springsteen [ twice], Rod Stewart and a trip to Florence and Bologna.
 The trip to Italy was a great inspiration for my Borgia project, and I noticed that one of the city gates in Bologna is dedicated to the Borgia pope, so clearly there was some influence in that city.
 Florence is obviously dominated by the di Medici family and is a great place to gain inspiration.
 Hence the photographs of Giovanni di Medici, leader of the fabled Black Band.

Now I don't want to get drawn into a contentious argument, as some experts say the Black Band was non existent, and di Medici led something much more modest.
Personally I take the romantic view that he led a multi armed group, more akin to a legion, of cavalry, arquebus and pike. I hold this view as I am now painting my Pro Gloria pike as the Bande Nere. Absolutely nothing to do with Cesare, but just too good to ignore.
 Especially having done a little bit of reading around Giovanni whilst in Florence. As the son of Catherina  Sfforza, he was bound to have had an interesting but short life. He was banished from Florence twice, once for murder [!] and secondly for rape of a 16 year old male [!!] and all by the age of 13 years.
 Additionally he was reputed to having been dressed as a girl by his mother and hidden in a convent for several years.
Hardly the best start to life. So what we have is a very nasty but very brave piece of work. Who says history is boring.
 As for my painting in June, well I have managed to complete my Papal guard, and a unit of Foundry gendarmes,photographs to follow.
 The problem with my painting is that at the moment I am suffering from a very bad case of pains in my wrist, elbow and fingers, which is slowing me down alarmingly. So much so, that I have had to change my lighting and employ a heavy towel wrapped around my elbow. Ah the joys of wargaming.
Hopefully my next visit to the doctors will finally enlighten me as to the problem,apart from old age.

Finally they are Based.

One of the biggest banes of my wargaming life is basing my figures.God knows how many hours I have spent basing and re basing units. Anyway, I have finally finished these two units,that have been painted for several weeks. Its not that I have been slacking,but other things took priority. Anyway my Swiss skirmishers are now completed, and my Vulcan Gendarmes are ready for war. Hopefully I should have completed the Papal Guard by the weekend, and very fine they look to.