Saturday 7 June 2014

RP No159 NYW French Mousquetiers of the Guard


I thought it was about time I posted these fine looking fellows, they were painted back in March for the Analogue Painting Challenge, BUT, they weren't based up in time, so they sat forgotten in a box with a few other regiments that needed a flick'n'flock. The figures are from Essex, but are from the WSS period, so they all had cast on tricorns, which didn't make it to the field of battle until appox 1700, so in true later French style, I cut off all their heads!!! I did the same to a few in NYW spare Essex figures I had and I also bought some heads from Peter Pig, from their ECW range. So there you have it a unit of Mousquetiers of the Guard in the correct uniform and hat!!!

1re Compagnie des Mousquetaires
The 1st Company of Muskeeters also known as the Gris (Grey) Musketeers, from the colour of their horses,  were formed in 1657, they numbered between 200 and 300 men plus officers and were organized into 4 brigades. They were trained to fight on both horse and foot, (unfortunately nobody sells these on foot.....yet? but I was eyeing up Blue Moon's range the other day??)
The Captains were as follows,
1657 - Philippe Mancicni, Duc de Nevers
1667 - Charles de Bats-Castelmor, Comte d'Artaignan (Yes that d'Artaignan supposedly killed at the Siege             of Maastricht in 1673)
1673 - Louis de Forbin
1684 - Louis de Melun de Maupertuis
1716 - Louis de Montesquiou, Comte d'Artaignan




2me Compagnie des Mousquetaires
The 2nd Company were also known as the Noir (Black) Muskeeters, they were raised a little later than the 1st Company, in 1665, they had the same organization as the 1st.
There Captain's were,
1665 - Edouard-Francois Colbert de Maulevrier
1672 - Francois de Montesbaron, Comte de Tourvoye
1674 - Jean de Garde d'Agoult, Marquis de Vins
1716 - Jean de Montboissier-Beafort


67 comments:

  1. Yet another nice unit. See you tomorrow mate.

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  2. Nice work and nice historical background, as always!

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  3. One for all and all for one!

    Nice work Ray, as always

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  4. Really nice unit(s) - and, in the words of Eric Morecambe, you can't see the join!

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  5. Lovely work Ray and and an enjoyable read :D

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  6. For guys with chopped heads, they look great! :) Nice work Ray.

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  7. Cracking work Ray, not to mention brave! What is it with the French and chopping off head anyway? ;)

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  8. All for one and one for all. I love these even more that I know that d'Artaignan is amongst there ranks.

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    1. Does add another air to the unit doesn't it??

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  9. Very good to see more of your excellent NYW collection coming off the production line.

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    1. There's more to come, so your lucks in Jonathan!

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  10. Looking niece and still love all the history behind the units you provide us with!

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  11. sorry should have written "nice"

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  12. Altogether, quite a nice set! Sorry you didn't have the bases in time for the challenge.

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    1. Yep it was a shame, it would have pushed me up a few places in the final list.

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  13. I always like mounted figurines!

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    1. Me too Dez, cavalry always looks pretty cool!!

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  14. Classy looking chaps and nags Ray.

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  15. Great looking cavalry, Ray. The lace around the brim of their hats really give them a foppish look. Best, Dean

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    1. They should really have had a white feather in their hats as well!!!

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  16. Great looking unit Ray, and I always enjoy the historical write ups as well.

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  17. Nice looking bunch Ray and the history is excellent as always. I know you're busy, but it would be nice to see your work more often.

    Have a grand time at Broadside!

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    1. Tell me about it Anne, my paintings gone to hell!!! I've done around 3 hours painting in the last 2 months!!!! GGrrrr! And Broadside should be fun!!

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    2. Only 3 hours in the last two months? Yikes.

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  18. Great looking boys and a nice conversion too

    ian

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  19. Excellent head swaps and painting Ray.

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  20. Conversions work well, Ray, would never had known unless you'd said.

    FMB

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  21. Nice! Great looking figures as usual!

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  22. Great looking figures, Ray! "All for one and one for all!"

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  23. in true later French style, I cut off all their heads ROFL! :D

    Great looking models Ray.

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  24. Nice conversion work there, old son. A fabulous unit of horse.

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    1. Cheers Curt, shame they never made it into the Challenge though??

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  25. Superb work Ray...if you like this sort of thing?

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