As i mentioned in my last post i am planning to explore the Holy Mormon empires invasion of Albilande in 1619. I intend this to be a long running project that i will dip in and out of while exploring other parts of Albilandes military history. I have almost finished painting the required troops to refight some of the initial battles of that ill fated campaign, mainly situated in the Eastern county of Burkinshire where the first mormon troops came ashore. I thought i would use this post to showcase some of the units that will be used in my upcoming games as well as giving a little background on those famous sons of the wet country.
The first landings of Mormon troops on Albilande soil.
Proud sons of Burkinshire (10mm
pendraken miniatures)
Burkinshire, also known as 'The Wetlands', 'The Wet Country' and 'Slopshire' depending who you talk to is famous for its almost completely improbable levels of rain fall (at least 20mm of rain per day every day since 719ad). This has led the people of the shire developing a happy go lucky, almost 'devil-may-care' attitude (little things seem slightly less important when you live ankle deep in mud with contantly wet hair). They also are the main producers of the countrys most importent crop, the humble Cabbage. Burkinshire is home to over 235 types of the vegetable as with the weather being as it is it is the only crop hardy enough to survive a the constant downpour. Each region has its own favoured variety, often named after it that the locals will swear is the finest example of cabbage kind known to man or beast, in fact, so obsessed are the people of the shire with their local cabbages they all throw annual week long Cabbage festivals that have to be experienced to be believed!.
The other main sorce of income in the region is directly linked to the area in the center of the shire known as The Middenlands. This area is quite literally the nations toilet. Run by the aptly named 'Night Soil Barrons' the area forms the end of the 'waste chain' that runs the length and breadth of the country. Made up of endless trains of waste collection wagons and carts the barrons control the disposal of this 'material' on their 'Midden heaps'... for a hefty price of course. This has led to this area being extremely affluent (despite the smell) and politically very importent indeed. This has given the Barrons a large degree of autonomy from the rest of Berkinshire.
Burkenshire has never been known for producing great leaders or soilders, its people being more content to spend time tending their cabbages and visiting the Crumpy house (Crumpy being a regionally produced highly potent fermented Cabbage drink) however when called upon to defend their homes they can rely on some surprisingly able forces, as the invaders would discover.
As with all Albilande forces of the period banners were of great importance on the battlefield. Most units of fighting troops would display three banners depicting the town or region they were raised in, the Lord that raised them and the County they are fighting for. The troops below display a selection of the following flags:
Left: The county banner of Burkinshire, Center and right are the regional banners of the troops involved in the initial battles.
Banners of the lords present in the first battles of the invasion.
In the 1600's the mainstay of any force was the pike block. Below Are two of the more noteworthy regiments of the war:
The Stubbidge city watch, trained to fight with pike in the field as well as guarding the City streets with club, torch and whistle. These brave men have a proud history of sometimes never alowing crime to pay within the walls of Stubbidge.
The Westernpoint combined militia made up of the really rather altogether too eager and enthusiastic East Friggage volunteer guard and the almost completely unenthusiastic Ruffigeton old boys. The Volunteer Guard were created to serve as a training group for young recruits for Lord Branthions personal forces. The Old Boys are a collective of like minded old sorts who formed their troop as an excuse to disappear 'down the barracks' twice a week... the barracks being the local Crumpy house!. In battle the Old boys insist on standing around chatting and giving 'encouragement' to the 'young'uns' while the youngsters do all the dangerous stuff!.
The other mainstay of most armies of the period were the emerging hand guns. Troops armed with these weapons were quick and easy to train and expendable enough to replace. Above are a unit of gunners from Stubbidge raised by lord Flangitte.
The Lords of the region in their finary
Of course the lowly foot sloggers require their betters to be present to keep them properly motivated and provide a hard hitting force of heavy cavalry. I say present, as was the way at the time in Old Albilande the lords would hire trained mercenaries to don their armour and take their place, pretending to be the lord in question. Of course the unwashed were always well aware of this pretence but thought it more fun to keep up the facade. This would lead to comments like 'That lord Fussle aint arf spritely for 75' and 'oooh look me lord, you grew back that leg you lost last time'.
The Berkinshire attack Goose is one of the deadliest creatures found in the region. Wild flocks are said to be responsible for more than 300 deaths a year. The creatures have truly foul tempers and are surprisingly intelligent making them ideal as guard creatures and by extention beasts of war. They can only be controlled (after a fashion) by trained 'Gaggle masters' who devote their lives to the study of these animals and their attendent pipers who are experts in the Drizzlemere sackpipe, an instrument so annoying the geese (and anything else for that matter) can be driven directly away from them meaning they can be (sort of) hurded into position in battle.
The rugged men of the Royal Border constabulary patrol the wild lawless areas between towns bringing the Kings justice to bandits and wrong doers all across the country. They live for months at a time in the wilderness by royal commission living off the land and hunting wanted men. Of course that level of power and freedom can lead to a teensy bit of courruption but best not mention that.
Above are a group known as Hubbleys Hoofers that were active in the area when the invasion took place that like more of thier ilk got called to protect the county in the name of the crown,
I still have some more shot, cannon ans skirmishers to paint for the army, as well as a couple more silly bits to finish off, i hope to have these done soon ready for a game.
