15th Century Byzantines

Emperor and retinue.

Some conversions

Perry miniature's conversion

Top work by DJ again.

Inspiration for the parasol.

15th Century Byzantine collection

Hi gents,
A few pics of my growing 15th century Byzantine war collection for the Venice in Greece wars.

I'm still looking for a suitable figure for the emperor Constantine this Crusader figure will have to do for the moment.

I managed to get Ebob to take a small commission for the troops but alas he didn't continue.

I have been converting the figures to add more variety. 

Mark Allen did a great job on the flags.

Standard bearer is another conversion.

This will be a small unique collection representing the armies in the twilight years of Byzantium.

Dave Jarvis has used his paint magic on the figures.

I have been using some foremost horses from Hinds figures I got this idea from John Rays SYW collection where the results he gets is outstanding.

The armies will be small DBA size armies.

I am adding to the Byzantines and also will add early Ottomans /Venetians /Genoese  and Timurid I'm looking forward to  putting this together but it will be a slow burner.

Best wishes

Willie 

Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta

Hi gents,


Here we have via Wikipedia Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta  
popularly known as the Wolf of Rimini, he was an Italian condottieri and nobleman, a member of the House of Malatesta and lord of Rimini, Fano, and Cesenaa from 1432. He was widely considered by his contemporaries as one of the most daring military leaders in Italy and commanded the Venetian forces in the 1465 campaign against the Ottoman Empire. 

The Flags are by Pete's flags http://www.freewebstore.org/Petesflags

Following the family's tradition, Sigismondo after the death of his father debuted as man-at-arms at the age of 13 against his relative Carlo II Malatesta, lord of Pesaro and Pope Martin V's ally, who aimed to annex Rimini, Cesena and Fano to his territories. After his victory, Sigismondo obtained, together with his brothers Galeotto Roberto and Domenico, the title of Papal vicar for those cities. In 1431, albeit with inferior forces, he repelled another invasion by the Malatestas of Pesaro. When, soon afterwards, his elder brother abdicated, he became lord of Rimini, at the age of 15.

After 1449 Malatesta served variously under Venice, Florence, Siena, Naples and Sforza who he had battled with previously. The Peace of Lodi (1454), from which he was excluded, pushed the major Italian powers against him. His territories were repeatedly invaded by Aragonese, Venetian and Papal troops. In 1456 Sigismondo married Isotta degli Atti, his long-time mistress, and legitimized their three surviving children; the only son, Sallustio, was declared his heir. On 25 December 1460, a famous trial in absentia was held in Rome against Sigismondo. Pope Pius II, who considered him guilty of treachery towards Siena arising from his long-running feud with Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, excommunicated him, declaring him a heretic and attributing to Sigismondo a series of sins (incest, sodomy against his son Roberto and others) which smeared his reputation for centuries. In a unique ceremony, he was canonized into Hell with the curse, "No mortal heretofore has descended into Hell with the ceremony of canonization. Sigi shall be the first deemed worthy of such honour." Quite an achievement!

Malatesta's image was publicly burnt in Rome, and a de facto crusade was then launched against him, in a league including the pope, the king of Naples, the Duke of Milan and Federico da Montefetro not a popular man at this time. He defeated the first contingent of Papal troops, led by Napoleone Orsini, on 2 July 1461 at Castelleone di Suasa. In 1462 he was able to take Senigallia, but was forced to flee to Fano after the arrival of Federico da Montefeltro. The latter followed and severely crushed him on 12 August 1462 near Senigallia at the mouth of the Cesena. The war ended in 1463, due to the intervention of Venice, with the loss of all Sigismondo's territories apart from Rimini and a territory of some 8 kilometres around it: both, however, were assigned to return to the Papal States after his death. He then sought greater fortune as a general for Venice in its war against the Ottomans, as a field commander in the Peloponnesus (1464–1466).

The Venetians granted him a contingent of 150 men to defend Rimini and his other lands during his absence in the Morea. The first war , lasting from 1463 to 1479, saw much fighting in the Morea.

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 After returning from the Morea Sigismondo appears to have intended to murder Pius' successor, Pope Paul II (who had asked him to exchange Rimini for Spoleto and Camerino), in 1468, but he lost his nerve and returned to Rimini. He died in his residence of Castel Sismondo a few months later, I am sure you will agree a very interesting chap!

I still have nearly all this collection to base I still can't decide on which is the best way to do it so some serious thinking ahead!

Thanks for stopping by

Willie

 

Venetian crew now painted

Hi gents,

I managed to get the conversions painted up this week along with the new boats although still got the masts to sort.I think I will buy some linen hankies and have the Lion of St Mark printed onto it for the sails if it works it should look pretty good.

Also got away a few orders off for new figures to be sent to the painters so this collection will see a nice few additions in the near future.I know this era is not every  ones cup of tea but I think this could well end up my signature collection. Here's a few pics of how the new boats and crew are coming along.

As I said I still have the masts to do.

During this period  the Venetians and Ottomans raided each others towns

First crew hit the town

Not a lot of troops to defend it.

Peasants about to feel the brunt of it.

Garrison take to the keep and hope the Sultan sends help.

Hand guns and cross bow won't make a dent.

                           

                                                              Venetians lay siege but with no guns the garrison is fairly safe

I have a bombard on the work bench so maybe the Venetians will get what they need.
Thanks for stopping by
Best wishes
Willie

The Papal legate arrives!

Hi gents'

When reading about the fall of Constantinople I was interested in the schism between the Orthodox and Catholic Church's this caused one Orthodox clergyman to remark that he would rather live under the Sultans Turban than the Cardinals hat!There was a great deal of tension between the two doctrines that resulted in riots in the streets before the end.I have a few Orthodox Clergy but have now added to the Catholic faction.

This is the legate on the small boat I painted last week.

The figures are Perry Miniatures

Buildings in this pic from Touching History.

 

Figures painted by Dave Jarvis.

As you can see Dave has once more worked his magic.

The legate mounted

Not too happy about the new arrival.

The Venetians send some troops to escort to the Italian quarter

Gate to the Italian quarter.

Papal arms on the shield.

Safely in.

A better welcome here.
I have put off doing this collection for the last eight years don't know why but I am glad I did.The mix of the Perry figures and Dave's artwork is a joy to behold I am absolutely delighted with these.
I am now off to the garden to enjoy the sunshine a rare treat here in Bonnie Scotland.

Thanks for stopping by
Willie