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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?
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50 comments:

  1. CyrusMarch 15, 2019 at 6:22 PM

    Great looking armies Jonathan, enjoy your game!

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  2. rct75001March 15, 2019 at 6:45 PM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:34 AM

      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. rrossMarch 15, 2019 at 6:46 PM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:34 AM

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

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  4. Lawrence HMarch 15, 2019 at 10:05 PM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:35 AM

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

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  5. NormMarch 15, 2019 at 10:27 PM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:38 AM

      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. Ray RousellMarch 15, 2019 at 11:42 PM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:38 AM

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

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  7. Michal DwarfCryptMarch 16, 2019 at 12:23 AM

    Beautiful armies!

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  8. The Jolly Broom ManMarch 16, 2019 at 12:57 AM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:40 AM

      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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  9. Biblicrafts MiniaturesMarch 16, 2019 at 1:49 AM

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

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  10. Mark StrachanMarch 16, 2019 at 2:00 AM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:42 AM

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

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  11. Christopher(aka Axebreaker)March 16, 2019 at 3:12 AM

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

    Christopher

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  12. KlingulaMarch 16, 2019 at 3:27 AM

    Impressive army! Waiting for reports from the battlefields

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:44 AM

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

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  13. GonsalvoMarch 16, 2019 at 6:46 AM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:45 AM

      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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  14. Ed MMarch 16, 2019 at 6:49 AM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 7:46 AM

      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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  15. Scott MacPheeMarch 16, 2019 at 8:43 AM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 9:33 AM

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

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  16. PhilMarch 16, 2019 at 9:23 AM

    Wonderful colors, splendid units!!

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  17. timMarch 16, 2019 at 2:45 PM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 5:33 PM

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

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  18. caveadsum1471March 16, 2019 at 3:57 PM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 16, 2019 at 5:35 PM

      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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  19. StewMarch 16, 2019 at 8:26 PM

    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. Jonathan FreitagMarch 17, 2019 at 8:35 AM

      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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  20. Dmitry SvidloMarch 17, 2019 at 4:00 AM

    Gorgeous looking army! Gendarmes are great!

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 17, 2019 at 8:37 AM

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

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  21. Mike VellaMarch 17, 2019 at 5:32 AM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 17, 2019 at 8:42 AM

      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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  22. HendridMarch 17, 2019 at 2:29 PM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 17, 2019 at 3:33 PM

      An intoxicating era for sure! Thanks for the vist!

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  23. DartfrogMarch 18, 2019 at 12:59 PM

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

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  24. Amtmann B.March 21, 2019 at 4:14 AM

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

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  25. Joseph.CadeMarch 24, 2019 at 9:46 PM

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

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    1. Jonathan FreitagMarch 25, 2019 at 6:23 AM

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

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