The Colonels Prepare to Clash...

Despite years of relatively amicable co-existence in the county, and two years of service together in the English regiment during the Dutch Wars, these two gentlemen find themselves in opposition to one another for King and Parliament.  It makes a sad but all-to-common part of the unfolding story of 1642 England.  

When Charles raised his standard in Nottingham on August 22nd, both gentlemen fully expected to find the other on their side and looked forward to serving together again in The Cause.  So certain in fact that not until they found the other _also_ recruiting near the county seat did they realize the other's terrible choice!  

Startled words were exchanged but blows were avoided between the respective recruiting parties.  Still, having known the other man as a person of fine character, good breeding and unimpeachable honor, it remains a disturbing breach to relations.  Of what cost to this and other friendships will the coming struggle be??

My two cleaned and assembled commanders.  Part of the fun with these figures is designing them yourself with a little story in mind.  The fellow on the left is my Cavalier.  Disdainful of his opponents, he's dressed for a hunting party.  He refuses to don armor since they'll "disperse the Roundhead rabble like the outlaws they are" and has lost his hat with his rushing about.  He's well known for his sanguinary disposition, fiery temper, immoderate drinking, course language, and - since the death of his second wife - late-night carousing.  He's shouting 'Onward!  Onwards! For King and the Right!' as he advances, urging his men to follow him to Glory.

My Roundhead is much more subdued, having finished his morning prayers and interrupted his  reading of the scriptures to deal with the ongoing situation developing just outside the borders of his estates.  He is soberly dressed for war in a "back and breast" and holds his horse steady as he directs the placement of his troops in a professional, scientific manner quite in touch with the latest military studies and his Dutch experience.  He regrets the entire situation, but sees it as only his duty for uphold the ancient rights of all Englishmen against the King's rule of tyranny. 

No names yet - those they get when they're painted.  I think some family names from my British side are in order - more fun than historical personalities and I can't make any research errors!

Aside from getting the bodies to sit properly on the horses, the cleaning and assembly of the figures was quick and fun.  Their stories and personalities were formed during the process of selecting their heads and arms.  While I think they both are representative of a typical officer of their sides, they each have some individuality that I'll flesh out as the blog continues.

As the forces assemble, the first construction had to be the commanders.  This gave me time to work with the parts and get a feel for the figures.  Next up I have to work on the infantry commands, trusted men who will be under them in the battles to come, along with some musket-men who can move fast to seize key features in the county for their Cause.  This also suits my painting approach, as I like to simultaneously work on special characters with individual details and common soldiery I prep and paint in 'assembly-line fashion'.