Friday, July 4, 2014

IV/18 Lithuanian or Samogitian


1132 AD - 1435 AD

DBA 2.2

Army Composition: 1 x (Gen) 3Cv or 2Lh, 6 x 2Lh, 1 x 3Cv or 1 x 2Lh, 2 x 3Ax, 2 x 2Ps 

Historical Enemies: Early Polish, Early Russian, Estonian, Prussian, Teutonic Orders, Mongol Russian, Mongol Successors, Ottoman, Wallachian, Moldavian and Later Polish

During the 13th through 16th centuries Samogitia played a central role in Lithuania’s wars against the crusading order of the Teutonic Knights (Knights of the Cross and Knights of the Sword). Invasions started in Lithuania in 1229. Combined military forces undertook numerous campaigns against Samogitians and Lithuanians. Saule (1236), Skuodas (1239), Durbe (1260), Lievarde (1261) are just a few of the battles that took place. Since Žemaitija was the last pagan region in Europe left to be invaded and christened, the Teutonic Order set their sights on this last mission. 

Between 1345 and 1382, the Knights of the Cross attacked from Prussia some 70 times, while the Livonian Knights of the Sword made 30 military forays. Year after year, fortresses were attacked, farms and crops were put to the torch, women and children enslaved and men killed. Despite all their effort, the Žemaičiai managed to defend their lands until the 1410 decisive Battle of Grunwald or Žalgiris, where united Polish-Lithuanian forces defeated the Teutonic Order and ended their crusading days.

Anyway.....on to the figures
Another Cavalry Nation Army painted up to face their fierce rivals the Poles, Russians, Mongols and the Teutonic and Livonia Orders. I decided to give these guys a winter-snow look. I used Baking Soda for my bases to get that smooth snow effect which is fine, but there's a problem, I wouldn't dare and try to travel with this army to visit friends/club tournaments because the baking soda will crack,flake off etc. I need to find, have been for a few years, a good solid sealer to protect and secure the baking soda from falling apart! :o) This snow "flocking" method is not entirely secured and it was put together for visual appeal only.


Army Arrayed











General as 3Cv or 2Lh


General as 2Lh


General as 3Cv


Skirmishers 2Ps


Spearmen 3Ax



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16 comments:

  1. Jonathan FreitagJuly 4, 2014 at 6:45 AM

    Another very handsome yet chilly looking force. Your detailing is fantastic! As for snow effects, I read a long time ago of using white, powdered laundry detergent as snow. Perhaps that is not fine enough for your application?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:02 PM

      Thanks Jonathan, um hmm...never thought of powdered laundry detergent as snow I will try it out, thanks for the tip!

      Delete
  2. James FisherJuly 5, 2014 at 3:41 AM

    Ditto everyone else's admiration of your snow effect. Could you spray with a glue, varnish or coating to hold it in place? We have recently 'discovered' this great product called plastidip, a plastic coating/varnish which comes in colours and also clear (gloss and matt)

    ReplyDelete
  3. DeanMJuly 5, 2014 at 9:49 AM

    Great looking work - shields are very impressively done. BTW, I admit I have never heard of Samogitians before - Samoans, yes, Samogitians, no :) Best, Dean

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    Replies
    1. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:34 PM

      Thanks Dean, well to be honest here, I never heard of Samogitian as well. I thought Lithuanians were just that, Lithuanians :o)

      Having fun researching/reading about the Samogitian's and others who tried to survive during the Great Northern Crusades.

      cheers,

      Delete
  4. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 5:56 PM

    Thanks Pete, I thought about flooding the bases with watered/white clue but to risky to try and may cause a huge mess of slush.. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:00 PM

    Thanks Phil, I know very little about this army, doing more research coming up with some very interesting battle notes about the Lithuanian or Samogitian nation. very tough fighters indeed..

    ReplyDelete
  6. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:06 PM

    Thanks Mark, yeah the army looks cool (no pun intended) to go up against my Early Russians and Poles.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:07 PM

    Thanks Telamon, appreciate your visit as well.
    cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  8. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:10 PM

    Thanks Christopher, I just hope I don't sneeze while handling these snow elements or else
    my face will be covered with baking soda! :o)

    cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  9. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:14 PM

    Thanks Dan, I agree, it just looks so great with the baking soda as snow, but really need to find a good strong sealer. perhaps use bathroom tiles "Grout Sealer"?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:16 PM

    Thanks Chris, hey some good news for you, almost finish painting my first 28mm Swiss Pikemen block....

    cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  11. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 6:18 PM

    ;o) Thanks Monty, I dry brush some of the foot and cavalry with off white color to give that extra snow/winter realism to the army.

    cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  12. Phil CJuly 5, 2014 at 7:01 PM

    Thanks Mike, but your Chariots at your blog look a Awesome!

    cheers,

    ReplyDelete
  13. ChrisfigurinesJuly 6, 2014 at 10:05 AM

    That's great Phil, hope it was not all down to my influence, but your certainly welcome to use mine for reference. Look forward to yours.
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  14. Phil CJuly 14, 2014 at 3:06 PM

    The Swiss are up! ;o)

    ReplyDelete

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