"Siege of Rhodes 1522 with 28mm miniatures?" Topic

With the recent release of more early 16th century dismounted gendarmes by Steel Fist, I came to think of potential uses for these figures, and was reminded of the siege of Rhodes in 1522. In this action, the Knights of St John led the defense of Rhodes against Ottoman invaders.

Ottoman figures for this era tend to be generally available, but I am left wondering what miniatures would work for the defenders. I presume the Steel Fist gendarmes could work for the better equipped knights, who tended to come from across Europe, but what about the more lightly equipped forces drawn from the locality? How would they have looked like, and are there figures available in appropriate style?

Take a look at Perry's plastic European mercenaries and associated metal figures. They should work nicely. Are you thinking the assault on St Elmo?

The osprey on fortress Rhodes is worth getting. I visited the Island in 2010 and the rebuilt walls are impressive.

Wasn't St.Elmo on Malta not Rhodes?

Knights of St John left Rhodes in 1523 and settled in Malta 1530. The great siege of malta was in 1565
I had a dba army 1522 with Greek archers check Essex miniatures ready made armies for reference

Take a look at Perry's plastic European mercenaries and associated metal figures.

I have a fair number of those, but I think they would look rather outdated by 1522. Could work great for the siege of 1480, though…

The osprey on fortress Rhodes is worth getting.

Thanks for the info, I am not too familiar with their fortress series. Does it mainly concentrate on the physical fortifications and their construction, or is there also good coverage of the actual actions fought around those walls in Rhodes?

I had a dba army 1522 with Greek archers check Essex miniatures ready made armies for reference

Checking the Essex website, they have a set called "DBA 3/4/56 ORDER OF ST JOHN 1291-1522" but I did not find that too informative.

DBR has a list for the Knights of St. John, which covers the Rhodes years, but there is not much detail provided. Besides the knights, that list contains artillery and various missile units (archers, crossbowmen and arquebusiers).

For Venetians (or other Italian troops that might have been around), TAG makes a pretty decent range of early 16th century Italians that could work.

However, I am left wondering how the native troops from Rhodes would have looked, and if there are any suitable figures out there.

Ottoman figures for this era tend to be generally available

Really? I find good Ottomans of the early 16th century to be a bit on the rare side. Most stock, especially those using arquebus or muskets, are good for the second siege of Vienna.

Old Glory has some good stuff, but apart from that I am open to suggestions. I know that Warlord Games has some, but the sculps are a bit on the weired side, and for Acinci or early Janissaries I feel a bit lost. Any good suggestions are welcome. This also goes for early Hussars or Hungarians from Corvinus to Ludwig.

but what about the more lightly equipped forces drawn from the locality?

The Rhodian Greek Militiaman in Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2 by Ian Heath is based on Costumes of the Greeks and Turks in The pilgrimage of the Knight Arnold von Harff, perhaps influenced by Greeks in Peregrinationes in Terram Sanctam by Breydenbach & Reuwich, 1486.

Mirror sites:
Rhodian Greek Militiaman in Armies of the Middle Ages, Volume 2 by Ian Heath
Costumes of the Greeks and Turks in The pilgrimage of the Knight Arnold von Harff
Greeks in Peregrinationes in Terram Sanctam by Breydenbach & Reuwich, 1486.

Druzhina
Extracts from and sources for Armies of the Middle Ages, volume 2 by Ian Heath

Thanks for the pic, Druzhina. I have managed to obtain the volume 1 of Armies of the Middle Ages, but don't have the volume 2 so far.

That Greek coat with the split sleeves looks quite peculiar, though not quite unique. And the Greeks certainly liked to wear beards, another aspect that would set them apart from the Italians.