The Grenadiers of Burgundy

In my last post, I noted the recent developments in the on-going War of Franconian Succession. Two new powers were introduced: the small but doughty Duchy of Grand Fenwick, and the ever rapacious Duchy of Burgundy. Now of course, an independent Duchy of Burgundy has not existed for several hundred years, and Grand Fenwick was invented by author Leonard Wibberly in the early sixties. But since this War of Franconian Succession was never fought, I figured it's a wash. 

 

Some time ago I mentioned that the Ducal Army of Burgundy started off as a project last year or so to paint up the Irish Brigade in Spanish service during the Seven Years War (SYW). This is a war I've always found fascinating because of the variety of major and minor powers and armies, often each with its own uniform. I mean, who wouldn't want to have the entire army of one of the Imperial statelets of the Holy Roman Empire? The Duchy of Burgundy was an outgrowth of that: the Irish Brigade wore red uniforms with simple facings, but more importantly their standards all bore the Burgundian Cross. The line infantry are Armies in Plastic French infantry painted up to resemble the Irish Brigade. 

But, something was missing. Up to now, there were no good Grenadier figures in fur hats, at least not in plastic. I had high hopes that HaT would come out with their long-promised Austrians...someday perhaps!

 

Until three weeks ago, the picture was bleak

 

Then I received an email from Chris Parker (https://www.chrisparkergames.com) highlighting his new 3D printed Spanish for the SYW. They looked really good, so I ordered a bunch. (Full disclosure: I've known Chris for many years both as a friend and fellow gamer.) They arrived within a week. I'm happy to say they are excellent!

 

The figures are resin printed, so the texture is excellent. Heads and arms for the most part need to be attached with CA, but they go together well as seen below. I would suggest a good washing before priming and painting.  The photo shows the grenadiers, officer, and fifer. I also received four mounted generals, which I will talk about next time. Until then...

From left to right: Officer, Fifer, 2 Grenadiers

Some Things I Should Have Learned By Now

In my last post, you met two wildcards in the ongoing War of Franconian Succession, the Duchies of Burgundy, and doughty little Grand Fenwick. If truth be told, both started as after thoughts. Burgundy started out as the Irish Regiments in Spanish Service, circa 1756. But I needed another player and since all of their standards contain Burgundian Crosses, why not make them, say, Burgundian?

 Grand Fenwick started many years ago. I was either in high school or college at the time, so probably the late 60's (that's 1960's for our younger readers), and I picked up a book at my local library by Leonard Wibberley titled The Mouse That Roared. It was a satire on post-war diplomacy so absurd in concept that I not only loved it, but sought out its 2 or 3 sequels. 

Now as for the Grand Fenwickian Army, I turned their longbows in for muskets and their chain mail for Massachusetts Provincial uniforms for the French and Indian War. The figures are made by LOD as part of their Barszo  line of resin figures. Originally representing British infantry at the time, I just painted them up as Provincials (seen below). The flag was found online, downloaded, and resized.

Doughty Defenders of the Realm

My mistake having a few figures left over. "I'll just paint up one', I said to myself, 'just to see how they look as British regulars."  In truth, I have just painted the one below. "No more...just the one"

"Yup, no more..."

The order went out this morning. So much for things I should have learned by now!

Until next time...