"Starting out with Medieval period" Topic

A friend and I have been wargaming WWII for a few years now in both 15mm and 28mm. We are looking to start wargaming the Medieval period. So, I have a few questions for you experts. What scale do you prefer 15mm or 28mm and what era is better to start with, War of the Roses or Agincourt? Additionally, what is the most prominent rule system that captures the real issues for the era? As an example, in WWII the real issue at hand is movement and suppression with some level of tactical hidden movement. What are the core issues at play in Medieval combat?

I like the WotR in 28mm. Plenty of figure choices, Foundry, Perry, and Old Glory to name a few. Plenty of free online resources to be had. Tactically a little removed from the earlier HYW period and the longbow seems to be less of a game winner and both sides have them too. Nothing like a good bloody civil war for good scenario fodder. I like Medieval Warfare for rules but would give others a try if given a chance. I've not played Hail Caesar but all the cool kids seem to like them.

Early WOR and late HYW overlap. You can use Agincourt figs for later games. They are just the knights with their dad's armor.

Shoot for 1450 and command stands for early and late. You can get 1415 all the way to 1495 out of it.

Joe Collins

The 28mm Perry Miniatures WOTR (plastic) are wonderful and not very hard to assemble. You can get 44 infantry (mix of billmen & archers) for $21 USD a box plus shipping from NWS Wargaming. Not many mounted knights in the WOTR battles, but you don't have to play strictly historical OBs. A 30 year long civil war! If you haven't done it already, watch the "Britain's Bloody Crown" 4 hour miniseries on youtube. Great stuff!

Hi if you decide on 28mm figs let me I can help you with figs I have OG ,Foundry, and another company if your in the U.S email is rjdunn62@hotmail.com

Sure you can use the same knights to cover the whole of the 15th century, just as you can use 1939 Germans for 1945 Germans if you want to.

But the look was really different at 1415, 1450 and 1495.
Most obvious differences are helmets and coverings on armour.
1415 – lots of dog faced bascinets and jupons or similar covering for the armour, often with heraldry. As you get later, various other helmet types become dominant – such as the sallet. Armour is often left uncovered or loose covering like tabards are used.

100 Years War – more colorful

War of the Roses slightly less colorful.

Great fun either way and lots of wonderful figure lines out there. With all the great plastic options, 28mm is very attractive both weight and cost are more reasonable than in the olden days.

For rules it depends on what aspect you want to play? Large battles, Skirmishes?

I really enjoy Triumph! Not specific to those periods but covers Ancient to medieval battles very well from a grand tactical level, i.e. major engagements and historical battles.

I have maybe 150 28mm WotR figures for sale. A few painted, a few partly painted and an awful lot raw lead. Just not going to get to the project as much as I think I would enjoy it. If you're interested in a good deal, email me at

mrutz AT verizon DOT net

I'd vote for mid-to later 15th century. You can battle the end of the HYW, the Reconquista in Spain, the Ottoman expansion into easter Europe, the rise of the Swiss, the glory and downfall of the Burgundians, Italian condotta, and the beginning of the Italian Wars. This period also sees the rise of the use of gunpowder, and the decline of cavalry vs. halberds and pikes. Mid-century your army can have almost any weapon we associate with the medieval period, longbows, crossbows, early handgunnes, pikes, halberds, knights, mounted crossbows, etc. And in eastern Europe, Hussite wagons, horse archers, Vlad the Impaler.

For rules, I like To the Strongest, for large battles, or Hail Caesar. Lots of players seem to enjoy Impetus, though I have not tried it. Dragon Rampant is a nice mid-sized game. I do not know about skirmish games, so can't recommend anything.

While a big fan and gamer of WotR – mainly because I love the history and the characters – I think HYW offers more interest with more dissimilar sides and the interplay of the British who need to get set and defend an advantageous position and the French who need to catch out or wear them down by avoiding battle when offered. Obviously this comes out better in a campaign where Chevauchees are used to apply pressure to get people to come out and fight.

Of course, we have to determine if TNF want to try skirmish or big battles for his medieval games!

If you want is easy, use Perry HYW plastics. Suitable for the HYW(duh)
Conditterie in Italy, the various wars in Bohemia the first 40 years of the 15th century.

If you want it hard, early HYW using claymore casting. Much more varied armor and gear.