Overview

You could sum up the Italian Wars of 1494 - 1559 in one word and that is 'colourful'. This guide to wargaming the period helps you bring that spectacle to the table top. Everything you need is here to begin recreating battles in this exciting time in history. The period saw the end of the dominance over battlefield of the heavily armoured mounted men at arms and the use of huge seemingly unstoppable pike blocks containing thousands of soldiers. Foot soldiers fought with pike, polearm, sword and on occasion the fearsome zweihander. Ranged warfare saw the crossbow fall out of favour and the development and increased use of gunpowder. No single arm was dominant, careful use of the combined qualities of the various troop types was therefore essential for victory. Dress for the soldiers of the time was very flamboyant consisting of bright clothing of many different colours and hats adorned with large feather plumes. Huge flags, in great numbers flew above each of the units which made a spectacular sight on the battlefield. When you transfer this to the tabletop these characteristics produce one of the most visual and instantly recognisable periods of history in the wargaming hobby. The book begins with a brief historical overview of the Italian Wars before moving on to look at the different troop types in the conflict and how they are represented on the table. The author, with a little help from some friends will then guide you through building and painting your forces. Then with the troops mustered its time to get them on the table and roll some dice, included is a guide to refighting the first battle of the wars Fornovo along with some fictitious scenarios. So why not put on a pair of stripey trousers, a flouncy shirt and a feathered hat and start gaming The Italian Wars today?The book begins with a brief historical overview of the Italian Wars before moving on to look at the different troop types in the conflict and how they are represented on the table. AUTHORS: The author is a retired solicitor who has been interested in history for longer than he can remember, and has made models and played wargames since a child. He has published books and articles mainly on Irish, Spanish, West African and Italian history, and has toured hundreds of historic sites, museums and buildings from Ukraine to California. Luckily, he lives in Newcastle, and so can see Northumberland very easily-the English county blessed with the biggest number of castles. Colin Ashton was born in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire in 1958. He has lived in the northeast of England since 1972, and now spends his time between Middlesbrough and Bangalore, India. He has been retired since 2016, having spent much of his career in the Public Sector, before which, among other things, he served for many years in the Queen's Own Yeomanry, gained an MBA and a 1st dan black belt in kendo. Until recently he sat as a Justice of the Peace. Colin's passion for wargaming began in the late 1960s, and over the years he has amassed a huge collection of miniatures running into the tens of thousands. As well as wargaming he is an avid genealogist, writer, researcher, cook and sometime copy editor. Colin's wargaming thoughts can be found on his popular blog Carryings On Up The Dale. 52 colour photos, 21 colour illustrations, 2 colour maps, 17 colour battle maps, 19 b/w illustrations

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9781914059650

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The author is a retired solicitor who has been interested in history for longer than he can remember, and has made models and played wargames since a child. He has published books and articles mainly on Irish, Spanish, West African and Italian history, and has toured hundreds of historic sites, museums and buildings from Ukraine to California. Luckily, he lives in Newcastle, and so can see Northumberland very easily-the English county blessed with the biggest number of castles.

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