waveydavey | 29 Dec 2016 11:27 a.m. PST |
Hello, as the title suggests I've decided to start gaming the Dark Ages, especially the Anglo-Saxon/ Viking era. I usually game ww2 in 20mm but fancy a change. I've decided to jump in feet first, have bought the Swordpoint rules and plan to build Anglo-Saxon and Viking armies. I'm more interested in fighting battles rather than skirmishes. Could anybody point me in the direction of any books/ websites that could give me information about army composition, painting, etc? Thank you for your help. David |
foxweasel | 29 Dec 2016 11:55 a.m. PST |
The new painting war book is very good link |
coopman | 29 Dec 2016 1:02 p.m. PST |
You might find this book useful: "As Told in the Great Hall: The Wargamer's Guide to Dark Age Britain" by Martin Hackett One neat thing about this period is the miniatures can represent anyone's forces (unless you're extremely picky). You can buy the pdf for the just released "Basic Impetus 2" rules for less than $5 USD at wargamevault.com. It includes all of the army lists too. Best wishes for you and the Dark Ages period. Clay |
coopman | 29 Dec 2016 1:37 p.m. PST |
Here's another useful link for you: link |
arsbelli | 29 Dec 2016 4:02 p.m. PST |
David – I hope you enjoy Swordpoint for your Dark Age mass battles! If you should wish to expand your forces beyond those listed in the main rulebook, the Swordpoint Dark Age Armies book was also released quite recently: link I can also second the recommendation for As Told in the Great Hall ( link ), as well as the excellent 1000 Foot General web site for Dark Age Color Palettes linked above. |
Stew art | 29 Dec 2016 4:25 p.m. PST |
the short answer is really anything you want. most people I think tend to go with a more subdued palate, but otherwise.. anything you want for painting. for dark age armies, in Saxons I expect a core force made up of thegns and houscarls, and then bulked out with fyrd. like 30 to 70. for Vikings I expect more units of hirdmen to bondi, maybe closer to 50 -50. in both I expect few archers and skirmish units. |
Benvartok | 29 Dec 2016 5:49 p.m. PST |
Check out viking age palettes via google. I can't recall the exact website I found and made notes from a few years back but there are plenty on this link. link Oh and welcome to the dark side…. |
Grelber | 29 Dec 2016 6:28 p.m. PST |
Economics of cloth production in the Dark Ages has taken some sinking in for me--nowadays, dying the cloth isn't a big factor in cost, while it was a thousand years ago. Since most northern Europeans wore wool, and dying it would add significantly to the cost, your unarmored warriors need to dress in sheep colors. Our ancestors were quite clever at combining these to get different shades. I've come to suspect that striped clothing was economically driven, in that it was cheaper to add some color by working stripes of it into the cloth as you weave, than to make it a solid color. This might work for some of the lower class warriors and middle class sorts, while the rich have rare colored clothing in solid colors. Grelber
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Herkybird | 29 Dec 2016 6:46 p.m. PST |
Try the Regia Anglorum site regia.org/research.php for Vikings I expect more units of hirdmen to bondi, maybe closer to 50 -50. I would say Vikings fighting in Scandinavia would be the ones with Bondi (farmers) – those invading elsewhere would be a mix of Huscarls and freebooters, which could be a rather mixed bunch in quality and equipment, though well motivated. One note, 2 handed axes are a late weapon, late 10th century for Vikings and 11th century for Anglo-Saxons – though a few may have been used before then, at least possibly by ex Varangians? |
waveydavey | 30 Dec 2016 4:13 a.m. PST |
Thanks everyone. Would the only difference between a mid period Saxon army and an Anglo-Dane army be the inclusion of Huscarls with two – handed axes or were there other differences? |
Herkybird | 30 Dec 2016 4:21 a.m. PST |
Yes, Huscarles were introduced during the reign of king Cnut (1016-1035), before that, armies were primarily spear based (the ubiquitous 'Gar'), though many Anglo Saxons appear to have used Seaxes
..and swords |
Patrick R | 30 Dec 2016 5:46 a.m. PST |
We underestimate the importance people put into colour. Dyes and coloured cloth was a major trade good and actively sought by anyone with a bit of spare cash and the desire to show off their status. In an age where you don't have an expensive smartphone or car to show off your wealth, your clothing was the best way to show off how well you were doing. So my Dark Age figures have bright colours for the better off warriors, nobility, leaders etc. I have a Viking who wears a Bishop's purple cloak you can still see the outline of the cross that used to be stitched onto it, but was removed. Remember the modern chemical industry came about because of the search for good bright, permanent dyes … |
Clays Russians | 03 Jan 2017 12:52 p.m. PST |
I am going to get swordpoint. very soon. |