28mm painted battalion of the French Garde Suisses Maison du
Roi 1672
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Getting stuck into the 17th century
North Star market a fantastic range of 28mm miniatures for the
French-Dutch War of 1672-1678. A colourful period in history
made famous by such novels as Alexandre Dumas': 'The Three
Musketeers' etc. I have painted a number of different periods
in my time but this one piqued my interest, the French-Dutch
War was a very bloody war fought by people dressed in somewhat
outlandish clothes seemed to be a contradiction. Interesting
events included; The death of the real D'Artagnan whilst
leading an assault on the walls of Maastricht. The Dutch
opening the dykes holding back the sea and flooding the Dutch
landscape to deny the French army a foothold and the somewhat
arbitrary contribution the English gave to the War by fighting
on both sides (firstly the French then the Dutch).
Dutch Field Gun 1672. Note the sash is orange blue and white, the colours of the United Provinces. |
Garde Suisse 'in the Field' |
Garde Suisse pikemen still wear their old fashioned armour. |
French field gun prepares to fire behind gabion gun embrasure 1672. Note gun crew are grey coated with blue cuffs and blue sash Fusiliers du Roi, the master gunner is a Commissaire ordinaire d'artillerie in blue coat with white sash.
I'm hoping to have time to add the Dutch Regiments and other French regiments in the near future.
Fantastic love the Swiss guards!
ReplyDeleteCheers Chris, it's quite an interesting period, I'll try and translate a brief history of the war when I have the time, all the best Peter.
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