Thanks for looking

Hi guys,

I've made no bones about my blog being a window into what the Ilkley Lads and I have been up to at my place. It appears that many of you have taken time to look through that window. Thank you for doing so; in the last 30 days there have been more of you than ever before – 2,979 of you in fact, making 5,145 visits.

Again, thank you, and Best Regards,

James

The fighting Franks. Painting finished. Roll Call!

My Frankish fighting units for the Crusades are finished. I still have three units of baggage to do - but these are last on my to do list. So the 'fighting' army is made up of 97 mounted and 298 foot figures - here they are.

Six command stands (18 mounted and 3 foot figures) including the King of Jerusalem, the True Cross, Hospitaller command and three other command stands.

The Cavalry. My knights usually deploy as small two stand units; as such there are six including one of Hospitallers (54 mounted figures). They are deployed below as two full and two small units. There are also two units of Turcopoles (24 mounted figures)

The Infantry. The bulk of the fighting men is made up of five units of foot sergeants (150 foot figures). Two are 'mixed' spear and simple bow units; three are 'mixed' spear and crossbow units.

There are two units of sailors (41 foot figures). One represents 'Italians' with crossbows; the other Norse and English with plenty of two handed axes! Both of these units can represent foot sergeants in loose order for 'special missions'.

Finally we come to the dross (104 foot and 1 mounted figures). Two units of levy - one with missile weapons (simple bows and slings) and one with spears. Both of these units can be broken up and mixed with the three units of pilgrims. When I do my baggage elements I now intend to base them on 60mm x 120mm bases. As I only allow my pilgrims to form up in mass or march column this will allow me to mix them in with the pilgrim stands and double my pilgrim units for the first Crusade or whenever the need arises.

I now only have five fighting units to do to complete my Saracen army and Armenian contingent. Then five units of baggage. Deadline 4th April 09 - Triples Sheffield. See you there.