The Divine Comedy

[levied troop]

I've had in mind to do Campaldino 1289 ever since I bought the Scramasax book on the battle on a visit to Florence back in 2002. Partly because the book is magnificently illustrated (and only available in Italian ) and partly because its the battle where you're allowed to field Dante Alighieri, author of the Divine Comedy, as one of the participants.

Collected a big range of Foundry/Essex/1st Corps figures, undercoated the infantry and tried painting a few. Then put them in a big box until last year when I started undercoating the cavalry:


So that's my plan for the remainder of this year - get this project finished or at least usable.

The plan is to use a fast painting technique - block base colour, a couple of discrete Contrast Paint washes and a Magic Wash finish. They may not look wonderful close up but should be ok at 3 foot and more importantly, they'll be finished!

A 3D Kanban, with a glimpse of the draft electronic version and showing an update from the last couple of days:

[Neanderthal]

2002! You seem to be rushing this project. Not your usual measured pace at all.
Could we have a closer look at the 'awaiting varnish ' please?
I can't get it to enlarge sufficiently to see the results on an individual.
Looking good at a distance though.

[World2dave]

Nice to see you up and running with a bijou project LT. How far did you have to travel with all that clobber to find sunshine?

[grizzlymc]

Weekend in Spain.

We have sunshine here in Sydney, but it is so bloody cold!

Tomorrow, the tropics.

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Is that both sides in the piccies, or just one?

[levied troop]

Both sides for the horseys, (probably). Mostly one side for the infantry, I will need to add more for the Ghibellini scum.

Could we have a closer look at the 'awaiting varnish ' please?

No! No close-ups! Oh, alright, Once they’ve moved into the ‘varnished’ position I’ll try a close-up but you mustn’t laugh.

How far did you have to travel with all that clobber to find sunshine?

All the way to the back garden. Going through the kitchen was the worst part.

[FreddBloggs]

Ahhh you are on the side of the Papal lackeys then.

[levied troop]

Close-up as requested:

I think they'll do at 3 foot - this isn't for show games, just for my private pleasure

Ahhh you are on the side of the Papal lackeys then.

That's the first time that's been suggested :o :o The politics at this point get very complicated - Guelf and Ghibelline by 1289 are general terms of insult for anyone who isn't you or your neighbourhood. Florence is Guelf (except when it's not) but the Arentine forces it fights at Campaldino are led by Guglielmo Ubertini, Bishop of Arezzo who's forces include papal guard infantry. Essentially its now communal/commercial Florence against the feudal land-owners of the Romagna and Tuscany. And that's before you take into account the split into Black Guelfs and White Guelfs in the 1290's. Mind you, I'm still working my way through the Italian text - the Osprey on Campaldino looks to be useful but I've only just got my hands on it.

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Ahhh you are on the side of the Papal lackeys then.

I'm told he believes in Paypal infallibility.

[FreddBloggs]

The guelf & ghibbeline split of the city states is insane to try and keep track of, you stick a pin in on a certain date and use that alliance at that time.