War of the Roses

[John Watson]

Not as far as I am aware Radar. One of the things about armour was that it not only protected you but it was a status symbol, much like we all want a car but not many of us can afford a Ferrari (other brands of car are available). So armour ranged from the average billman who probably had a padded jacket, at least, and if he was lucky when pillaging or had a few marks to buy extra bits could have had some pre-owned extras, like a breast plate or helmet, to the top nobles who had armour made to measure. This could be from the Continent (Italian armour was rated highly) and would be bright, shiny and inlaid with gold or silver etc. I have seen examples of painted armour, but I am not sure if this is accurate. Quite often tabards would be worn over armour to help identify the noble or faction and it could be that.
Whilst on the subject can I urge people to do their research into the Banners, standards and liveries of the period. There is plenty of information out there to help. If you want to be creative then there are also plenty of gaps in the information too. I will confess to having a vested interest (non-financial) in the subject as chair of the Lance and Longbow Society.
John

[Antioch (Bob)]

I think that is the plan for a number of teachers or professors....get them interested....then hooked.

This is the high period for amour...so I suspect there is some that will be blackened plate, some blued as well...both are chemical/heat treatments... so I suspect (while it would cost a LOT more) there will be some that had it, though it was probably a german/italian import. So only to the very very wealthy.

I painted 2 suites of blackened steel & one that is blued steel in my groups...& that will be it.

Interesting thing that never gets covered....the squires have to polish the rust out of there lords armour... all the misty wet days.... all not good for armour.  (Courtesy if spending time in a recreation group) ....and no todays nice pretty stainless steel armour was not available...  another reason to have many many squires.

[Leman (Andy)]

I notice that since relocating to the Netherlands that my photos have gone. However, I have opened a new facebook account over here so could repost if anyone is interested. Let me know if that is ok or if it will just waste space. Still working on a viable PayPal account, as nowhere but the Netherlands and Belgium seem to use Maestro.

[Anatoli]

Hi gentlemen, 

I would like to discover this period of History as it seems to be really fascinating...

What book would you recommand to have a good overview of the War of the Roses?

[Colonel Kilgore]

Anatoli,

A good place to start might be this thread:

https://rulesforcommonman.uk/index.php?topic=2680.0

A quick warning: opinions do differ somewhat!

I would say that the Lance & Longbow Society produces a number of detailed yet very affordable guides. Cue John W to continue the commercial!

Simon

[Anatoli]

Super...

Thank you Simon...

Cheers 

[martin goddard]

My recommendation would be the three Osprey CAMPAIGN books.
Tewkesbury, Towton and Bosworth.
Can be got cheap as second hand.

Even better is the bloody barons battle accounts


martin

[John Watson]

Thanks for bigging me up Simon. Anatoli, I am totally biased towards this period of history. Some chap in Weymouth makes just the best 15mm figures for the period. The Lance and Longbow Society is a military history research society covering about 1000 to 1525. The majority of our publications cover the War of the Roses, but we have booklets on the Burgundians, Fredreich the Victorious, Janos Hunyadi and others. We also do flag sheets for 15mm and 28mm figures. The society publishes a journal and back issues up to number 100 are available on CD. If you do an internet search for the Lance and Longbow Society you will find further details. Members get a discount on the Society merchandise. Any questions just let me know.
Cheers
John

[Anatoli]

Ok. That's great.

I will have a look.
Thank you everyone for all these informations. 

Cheers,

Xavier

[Leslie BT]

When you get your 15mm figures painted we can have a game Xavier, perhaps in December maintaining suitable social distancing!!

[Leman (Andy)]

Best overview of the WoR I have read, and I've read a few, is John Gillingham's The Wars of the Roses. This gives a very clear erxplanation of the wars,i.e. causes,events, intrigues etc. From here you can then decide which particular campaigns to look at in depth.

[Moggy]

Wargames illustrated have a big thing on bringing all the previous WOTR articles together this month. I have only skimmed it but may be worth a look.

Derek

[Colonel Kilgore]

Derek,

Thanks for mentioning this. Is it the PDF Compilation for Prime members, or something else (if the latter, I've failed to find mention of it online...)?

Simon

[Moggy]

Yes, I think it is. Not on my own PC (hijacked by the wife for work). ON the laptop and it doesn't like much stuff like websites, work or anything that involves more than looking at pictures.

Derek

[Spartacus]

@Bob. There are couple of WOTR piccies on my site,