28mm Anglo Danes

 I am quite pleased with the current progress of my 28mm Anglo Danish army and the various buildings, wagons and villagers to go with it. This army was started in 2000 when I bought a mixed boxed set of 50 'Dark Age' figures from Wargames Foundry. Originally they were painted up for skirmish games but a couple of years ago I decided to rebase everything for Hail Caesar to use in bigger battles. I have also managed a few games of Early Medieval themed Lion Rampant too. There are now figures from Foundry, Victrix, Gripping Beast, Crusader Miniatures and a few others in the army.

The main problem is that you need a lot of figures to make up a decent sized army for HC and I had Normans, Vikings, Picts, Arthurian British and Early Saxons to expand as well as my Anglo Danish thus progress has been slow as I flitter about between the various armies and of course my many other projects. To make life easier I decided to concentrate on my Normans, Vikings and Anglo Danes first plus all the extra bits and pieces that help a wargames table come alive. I did a post about my (almost complete) Normans a while ago but today I decided to look at where I am up to with my Anglo Danish army led of course by Harold Godwinson. 

Latest unit of levy infantry, mainly GB plastics with a few bits from other makes. 

Also going full circle, I am now painting up a few single based figures for use with the recently released 'Pillage' rules from Victrix. I have just finished reading through the rules and they look like they will give us some great games. They seem to be a blend of Middle Earth Battle Strategy rules and a few bits from games like Mordheim and Frostgrave for the 'pillaging'. 

I will slowly be adding more single figures and livestock such as the chickens I painted this weekend. 

The tent is a plastic model from Renedra and I have 3 more of these to paint. They wil make an impressive camp in large battles and a good place to 'pillage' in skirmish games. 

My village so far, complete with small chapel, wagons and a few villagers. 

In games of Hail caesar the village will probably mainly feature to the side or rear of the main action whereas in Pillage the village will likely be the centerpiece of the game. 

I also have 5 bases of villagers escorting various livestock which will be very useful as loot as wil the wagons. 

A few 'shieldwall' markers and casualties, all very useful. 

Thor, my turn counter, posing with a few friends to show how big and tough he is. 

The Anglo Danish Hail caesar army so far, two full divisions of infantry (8x units of 16 figures) and two units of skirmishers with bow. There are also 4 command bases. I need to paint up at least 4 more infantry units to create the third division that I need. 

A view along the shieldwall. 

Harold Godwinson and his brothers, ready to lead the army to victory. 

Some skirmishers sent out to annoy the enemy. 

The battles and campaigns of 1066 have always been one of my favourite era's of history to read about and study. I am slowly working on a large Hastings scenario which we should be able to play before too long with the help of some of my friends and the suitable figures in their collections. First though, I fancy a few games of Pillage!