ECW info

[Rougue]

I need some direction I've just dived into ECW a period I've long had an interest in.I got my first load of figs and a question has come to mind and I could use some direction.With armoured and unamoured infantry did they ever find a mix within a unit some armoured some not,or were they pretty much one or the other.I'm a yank and for our civil war there was regulation and then what happened in the field was two differnt stories the sky was the limit as far as dress,weapon's,unit strength's ect. especially in the later part of the war. So any suggestions would be helpful.          
                                                                                       Rougue (MIke)
                                                                                         Thank You

[mollinary]

Hi Mike,

I'll be the first to put my head above the parapet, and then I'll step back and take the flak!  The Pike would be the only infantry that would ever be armoured, and they were classified and deployed by virtue of the weapon they carried, the pike (14-18ft long), rather than how well they were equipped with protective gear. Ideally, at the start of the war, commanders would have wanted their pieman equipped with a helmet, back and breast  plates, and tassets (pieces of armour hung from the breast plate to protect the thighs). That was the ideal, and it is unlikely that any unit fully achieved it in practice.  The King's army at Edgehill was notoriously ill equipped, and a majority of their pike were probably unarmoured, and a number would not even have the pike, but merely a club or some agricultural instrument.  As the war progressed two factors seem to have come into play more armour was made in England, and the Royalists in particular imported more. So armour became more available to the main field armies. At the same time campaigns, and extensive marching, seem to have resulted in a lightening of the equipment actually worn by the soldier in the field.  The tassets were probably the first to go, the helmet probably the last(?).  That is a complicated way of saying that, as in the ACW, uniformity was extremely unlikely in any unit, and you can probably get away with any mix that appeals to your own sense of aesthetics.

Right, let the coconut shy begin! 

Mollinary

[Rothgar68]

I used a mix of the armored and unarmored pike in my bases.. I'm using the Field of Glory rules, so most of my Parliament foot are all the same.

[Sandinista]

I try to get as much variety in a unit as possible. Each unit has differing shades of coat colour, armoured/unarmoured for pikes with armour in front ranks of course Also I have muskets mixed, with loading at rear, the cavalry again as mixed as possible. My royalist foot (newcastles rabble) have some scots bonnets mixed in as well.

I'll try to get organised to stick some photos up soon

[Rougue]

ThankYou Mollinary,Rothgar,and Sandinista That help's a great deal I knew all Pike were grouped together I just didn't know if they further classed within those rank's as armoured and unarmoured. I have three Osprey book's on the ECW but if you guy's know of a more comprhensive book avaliable let me know. Again Thank You
                                                                      Mike                                                                                                                                                       

[nikharwood]

I went for a (slightly) more uniform look in my Royalists than I did with the Roundheads - just to give some variety as Sandinista says (I also mixed in some Scots)

Pics of mine in-action here: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,389.0.html

[mollinary]

Mike,

When I set mine up I tend to concentrate the best equipped in the front rank. Something I expect most commanders would try and achieve.

Mollinary

[FierceKitty]

Hi Mike,
Ideally, at the start of the war, commanders would have wanted their pieman equipped with a helmet...
Mollinary

I think that was just in the Simple Simon regiment.

[sdennan]

Oi thats not funny 

[Hertsblue]

Mike,

Bear in mind that, especially in the early days of the wars, the vast majority of foot regiments were raised and financed by their colonels (who were also their owners). Equipment was whatever the great man could afford, and armour was expensive. It was only when the New Model Army came into existence, funded by the government, that strict uniformity and red coats became the norm. However, pikemen's armour was still being produced well after the Civil Wars had ended, so you can use whatever mixture of types takes your fancy. 

[Rougue]

Herts&Group Thank You for your help and info, this is the reason I switched to all 10mm Pendraken top notch fig's and a great group of people who support there product's. Again  Thank You!
                                                                             Mike

[Leon]

 

[Luddite]

I need some direction I've just dived into ECW a period I've long had an interest in.I got my first load of figs and a question has come to mind and I could use some direction.With armoured and unamoured infantry did they ever find a mix within a unit some armoured some not,or were they pretty much one or the other.I'm a yank and for our civil war there was regulation and then what happened in the field was two differnt stories the sky was the limit as far as dress,weapon's,unit strength's ect. especially in the later part of the war. So any suggestions would be helpful.          
                                                                                       Rougue (MIke)
                                                                                         Thank You

Your civil war was in the 1860's.

The English Civil War was in the 1640's.  In most cases, the concept of a 'uniform' wasn't really in existence.  Units on both sides were raised and equipped according to local or noble resources.  Really it wasn't until the Parliament formed the 'New Model Army', that anything approaching a uniform was developed.  Of course regionally raised units would dress similarly to try and get a bit of esprit de corps going (or more usually to satisfy the vanity of the nobleman who'd stumped up the cash).

When it comes to armour the situation is even more patchy, and indeed even troops issued with armour are accounted as having discarded it as it was hot and uncomfortable.  High status cavalry were the only units who really regularly wore 'uniformed armour'.  In general, as you suggest, the musket men rarely, if ever wore metal armour, although buff coats (by far the most common armour of the war) and perhaps helmets could be worn.  Pikemen could be issues with cuirasses and iron helmets but this was patchy.

When it comes to representing all this in figures, having a mix of types is appropriate for both sides.  Uniforms should be patchy also, although once the NMA kicks off, lots of Roundhead units wore red coats.

http://suite101.com/article/english-civil-war-uniforms--the-infantry-a264177