Saxons for Winchester

I am taking Comitatus to Winchester 21 November for the Forum on Viking Age Warfare. My intention is to run a game based on the Battle of Maldon. First I need to paint up a few more 15mm Saxons.

First step is to rummage through my lead pile and select enough appropriate figures which will fit on an 80 x 40 mm base (two Comitatus stands). I am looking for primarily armoured figures to represent Byrhtnoth’s Comitatus.

Then get painting them. I decide to give their shields a predominance of blue to contrast with other units (in the background) where red, yellow and green predominate. It has been a while since I have painted 15mm figures and I had forgotten how much easier and quicker they are to paint than their 28mm cousins.

Here is the finished unit. I have based them to give the appearance of a shieldwall with some men rushing forward. Many of the figures are Old Glory with a smattering from other ranges which I can no longer remember as the miniatures have been languishing in my lead pile for quite some time.

This is the view from the rear which better displays the armour of such elite warriors. I gave the shields a blue rear facing colour to match the predominant blue on the fronts.

Finally here they are with some of their supporting units of followers.