Wars of the Roses Militia Spearmen

A while back, I posted a single 'Welsh' spearman to show something I was trying in order to capture a suitable look for militia in a WOTR force.  This needed to make them look less well-equipped than household troops, and maybe a little more 'bumpkin' than regular troops.  Those of us in the North and West of England are often thought of in such fashion even nowadays... wild savages from the hill country, haha.  So, having offended everyone, here's some pictures;

Above is the unit, 21 miniatures strong.  The majority of the components are Perry WOTR / European Mercenary - but the keen-eyed will spot elements from a number of kits.  The colours were kept varied, though yellow and green are predominant.  I've also stuck in some red, black, and white.

So, in keeping with the 'Dad's Army' approach, I've chosen mostly hats (rather than helmets) and added bare heads (Warlord Games WW2 British Infantry) for further variety.  The chap centre-front was also given a little goatee beard, as otherwise he looks too 20th century to me.  Actually, he looks a lot like Dick Strawbridge, which is the image the sculptor was going for I'm sure.  And no bad thing - Mr S is a TV legend.

Bearded Dick makes a second appearance, alongside fellow-celebrity Brian Blessed.  The latter is actually a Wargames Factory Viking head - and while he lacks Mr Blessed's awesome acting skills, I think the look adds to the militia feel.  Almost like the village has already given up its supply of farmers / carters / weavers, and now they've had to rope in the crazy mountain-man to boost the numbers.

Odd camera angle makes them look like they're leaning into a force six wind.  Note the shields - these were well out of fashion by the late 1500s, but clung on anachronistically in the less sophisticated parts of the world.  Border Reivers were still carrying them well into the sixteenth century up here in Northern England; and they died out very slowly in Eastern Europe too.  Shields are a mix of Warlord Games Romans, and the bucklers supplied with the Perrys European Mercenaries kit.  The spears are a mix of the Boar Spear from the Perrys WOTR set, and some taken from Gripping Beast Arab troops. One or two have been butchered from Fireforge hands / weapons, mated to Perry arms.