Friday, March 15, 2019

Battle of Maisnon - Italian Wars

It has been a little more than four years since Jake's Italian Wars collection made it out onto the battlefield at the Battle of Maisnon.  The battle was a culmination of his effort to build two forces for the Great Italian Wars.  Four years seems like a long time ago but I remember his game like it was yesterday.  The Imperialists were fortunate on this day.  Will they maintain their luck on a commemorative, anniversary battle?  For details on the original Battle of Maisnon, please visit,

Jakes' Battle Report for Maisnon
and my recounting of the battle at,
Jon's Battle Report for Maisnon

In the intervening years, I amassed a sizable Italian Wars collection as well.  Until now, my collection sat patiently awaiting an opportunity for battle.  Time for waiting is over.  On the morrow, my collection will take to the field in a match against Jake's army.  In this iteration, Jake with be commanding the Imperial forces while I command the French.

The French and their vassals have arrayed for battle south of the village of Maisnon to wrest control of the region from the usurping Imperialists.  As the morning mist lifts, the French forces are ready to take on the Imperialist army of Charles V.  What will face us when the skies clear?
French deployment
With an imminent battle and my army without proper standards, time to break out the scissors, knives, paint, and glue and get to work.  Having a stack of Pete's Flags at hand, I struck to work flagging three pike blocks and three units of gendarmes.

French arrayed in battle lines
My army is ready for battle and we are prepared to give To the Strongest! a go.  What will tomorrow hold?

50 comments:

  1. Great looking armies Jonathan, enjoy your game!

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  2. Always look forward to an Italian Wars battle and this one will be special as the forces look so good.

    Richard

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    1. Richard, it is about time I FINALLY get this army out onto the table. Hopefully, they will not let me down.

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  3. Really beautifully painted and based army Jonathan - look forward to seeing how things turn out using TtS - a bientot!

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    1. Much appreciated, Keith! I am looking forward to this battle as well.

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  4. Great work, and those flags on the gendarmes look especially nice.

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    1. Thank you, Lawrence! The flags do add a lot of color to an already colorful army.

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  5. Splendid, those flags are so rich. Four years! hopefully To the Strongest might make it easier for these to hit the table more often. Looking forward to seeing how you feel TtS handles the battle.

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    1. Four years between battles, is hard to justify. Much time spent painting for few tabletop actions is also questionable. If I would stop being attracted to new periods, more gaming would be seen.

      I am looking forward to trying TtS! in a new period.

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  6. The flags look superb on your very well painted troops. Let's hope they perform as good as they look.

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    1. Thanks, Ray! With me in command, my troops rarely meet expectations...

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  7. Lovely stuff, I'll be watching with interest how you get on with TtS.

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    1. Thanks! Of course, you will see how it all turns out. With a few entertaining games of TtS! using ancients under the belt, time to explore a new period.

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  8. Beautiful figures! I specially love the cavalry with the banners!!

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  9. That is a grand looking collection Jonathan. I look forward to the AAR.

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    1. Thanks, Mark! What you see deployed represents about one third of my collection. Of course, you understand how this happens.

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  10. Already looks like it's going to be a beautiful looking game!

    Christopher

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  11. Impressive army! Waiting for reports from the battlefields

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    1. Thanks! You will see reports here when news from the front arrives.

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  12. The flags add so much to troops of this era! I hoope you have an excellent game. As we have discussed, the 2nd edition of the TTS! rules, which will include a volume covering the late medieval/Renaissance eras, is still very much a work in progress...

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    1. Flags do add much to already colorful armies. A gorgeous period to have out on the gaming table.

      We understand that Renaissance specifics are "in development." We will muddle through best we can and make decisions and judgments in the heat of the action.

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  13. Quite a spectacle to see your army on parade--I second the comments on the banners and flags: well done (and historical to boot!)

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    1. Thanks, Ed! As noted above, the troops on the table make up about one-third of the collection. I ought to bring them all out for a parade one day.

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  14. I am very interested to hear how TTS handles this period! Your armies are, as always, beautiful.

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    1. Scott, while this is a last minute game, if you are free today, you are welcome to join.

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  15. Wonderful colors, splendid units!!

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  16. Well if looks counted for anything, they'd win the day for sure! Sadly, experience has taught me otherwise!

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    1. Thanks, Tim! First time in battle with a new army is a tough row to hoe too.

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  17. Great looking forces,flags add so much in this period! I'm very much looking forward to this game!
    Best Iain

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    1. Flags do add a lot to the period spectacle. One reason Italian Wars is a favorite to see on the gaming table.

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  18. Wow! If I understood right, there was 4 years of painting units before they saw the battlefield? That shows some real dedication. 😀
    We’ve all done the ‘night before’ getting the final touches on the miniatures. The flags add to the appearance nicely. I was surprised that each base got more than one flag.
    I’m looking forward to the second addition of TTS. Maybe my that time I’ll be able to give it a try. 😀

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    1. Stew, you are correct. My first unit for the Italian Wars project rolled off the painting desk in July 2015. Almost four years have passed until the collection first saw action on the table. Hopefully, they see action more often now that the figures have seen the gaming table.

      TtS! plays fast but I think it may not be for everyone.
      When time permits, give it a try and find out for yourself!

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  19. Gorgeous looking army! Gendarmes are great!

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    1. Thank you, Dmitry! The Gendarmes are favorites of mine too!

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  20. Absolutely gorgeous armies! Looking very much forward to the AAR. Incidentally, are the figures 15 or 28’s?

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    1. You are very kind, Mike! The figures are 28mm from a mix of manufacturers including Foundry, Old Glory, The Assault Group, Perry, Artizan, and Castiing Room Miniatures.

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  21. Great stuff, always enjoy the smell of Italian Wars in the morning

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    1. An intoxicating era for sure! Thanks for the vist!

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  22. Thanks for the game, the army looks even better in person.

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  23. What a colourfull and nice period to Play. Great effort as always!

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  24. Very impressive! So what happened - did you guys play the battle? Inquiring minds want to know. :)

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    1. Hi Joseph! Yes, the game was played (twice). I have yet to write the Battle Report. Soon, very soon...

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