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Three questions;

1) is it acceptable to use 'gripping beast' plastic thegns mixed in with their late roman models to represent the elite household spearman of a British warlord? I know they are about 2 centuries later but a lot of the equipment and armour would of seemed similiar?

2) (I already know the answer to this...but will rule of cool counter act this) is it too much to use gripping beast byzantine cataphract cavalry with maces to represent a romanticised version of Arthurian knights?

3) if not do you know anywhere I can get cheaper cavalry to represent the period. Idealy either plastic or cheap pewter?

Thanks all for your help!

It depends who you are playing with really.

If your army fulfils the game rules and the different troop types are easily distinguishable, I personally would be delighted to accept Byzantines as Arthur's knights, and thegns as his heavy infantry. Who is to say there is not a parallel universe in which Arthur visited Byzantium and brought back ideas about heavy lancers?

But some players are sticklers for historical accuracy.

The crucial question is, are these "compromises" acceptable to you? Perhaps more so than in other genres of war gaming, there is a kind of art to historicals. This includes the pursuit of "accuracy" primarily for aesthetic reasons: many gamers like to evoke the feeling of an era as they perceive it. This does not always necessarily equate to strict adherence to historical fact; indeed, sometimes it cannot because no one knows certain facts (for example, uniform colors). These same considerations are also at play for the people who sculpt miniatures and write rules, of course. So if the models you listed successfully evoke the period, then you're set. But if you're just trying to save money, you may find yourself disappointed.

As to your other question, Foundry is pretty inexpensive:

http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/ancients/arthurian-british

Thanks guys.
Manchu..yeah I should of been clearer with regards to accuracy...I picked sub roman because it allows a lot of creative freedom over more recorded periods and I've taken a 'high' interpretation of the romano-british...to me it's not a compromise more of a balance between art and what little knowledge we have...so I'm hoping for someone to kind of give me a little info on their romano-british armies and what they'd expect. But top notch info and point worth considering. Thanks man.

Foundry! Forgot about them..win!

 Manchu wrote:


As to your other question, Foundry is pretty inexpensive:

Really ? I know peoples perception of what is expensive differs, but foundry are about the most expensive of all the 28mm historical figure manufacturers. For example, Foundry cavalry are £12 for three figures compared to £9 for Gripping Beast.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Hyglar's Hellraiser wrote:

1) is it acceptable to use 'gripping beast' plastic thegns mixed in with their late roman models to represent the elite household spearman of a British warlord? I know they are about 2 centuries later but a lot of the equipment and armour would of seemed similiar?

2) (I already know the answer to this...but will rule of cool counter act this) is it too much to use gripping beast byzantine cataphract cavalry with maces to represent a romanticised version of Arthurian knights?

Both fine I would say but be careful which helmets you use for the GB plastic thegns. Some helmets are probably a bit too late for Arthurian. I would also recommend getting the GB plastic dark age warriors, for your rank and file troops. Then you can do some head swaps and use some of the unhelmeted heads on your armoured bodies.

 Hyglar's Hellraiser wrote:

3) if not do you know anywhere I can get cheaper cavalry to represent the period. Idealy either plastic or cheap pewter?

No suitable plastic as far as I'm aware but Newline are the cheapest metal I can think of that cover this period, at £7 for three cavalry or £20 for 9. Not as good sculpts as GB, Foundry, etc though.
http://newlinedesigns.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=122_123_504&products_id=6839
http://newlinedesigns.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=122_123_124&products_id=1027

Footsore (formerly Musketeer) is another choice:

http://footsoreminiatures.co.uk/collections/28mm-late-roman-romano-british-early-byzantine

Thanks guys. I ended up getting my first batch from gripping beast..I will diversify as well and get a few bits from each range.
Just wanted to say I was very impressed with gripping beasts delivery times, product and also customer service. x2 kataphract's were missing and they quickly replaced my order and sent a byzantine emperor as a make up!
Great company!