Monday, 21 April 2014

1st Fynske (Funen) Infantry Regiment - Lund 1676


1st Fynske as they would have looked at Lund 1676.

Being Easter and all that, what better way to celebrate a day off spend at the painting table, than to publish these green and yellow lads from the home of H.C. Andersen, the island of Fyn (Funen) - the most geographically central of the Danish isles.

Then and now - uniform plate
(no, we don't have palms in Denmark)

This Danish national regiment took part in the bitter infantry fighting at the center of the battlefield at Lund, 1676. Led by Johan Caspar von Cicignon, they were battle hardened regulars with previous experience from the battle of Halmstad, some 4 months earlier.

View from behind - the apostles showing on the musketeers.

Some might wonder why I've suddenly changed from Warfare to NorthStar figures on this unit.
The explanation is to be found in the "12 Apostles" - the collar of pre-packed cartridge bandoliers very common in the early and mid-17th century.



A set of "Apostles" as seen at the Royal Danish Armory in Copenhagen.

At about the time of Lund, both the Swedish and Danish armies had started to replace this now outdated system. Whereas the Swedes to a large extend had this transition covered, many Danish units still bore the Apostles at Lund. I found the NorthStar range to offer excellent sculpting including this particular feature on the musketeers, along with pikemen without any waist belts.


Close Up - a manly man with laces and rosy lips.

Flags are from Warefare Miniatures. The heraldic dragon was a key feature for Funen. It's actually a Wyvern (Lindorm in Danish) and used in Danish heraldics as a symbol of the Danish victories in the Baltic Crusades. Later it became a direct symbol for Funen, with the Wyvern as symbolic protector of the Funen isles. 

Battle of Lund - view from the north.
The infantry struggle in the center can be seen in the background.


Wish you all a happy Easter.
Thanks again for stopping by for a read!

21 comments:

  1. Fantastic brushwork and the flags are stunning.

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    1. Thank you very much Jonathan. The flags are done by the talented Clarence of Quindia Studios, blog/website worth a visit!

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  2. What a beautiful unit, the paint job is amazing!

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  3. You need to water the lawn!

    Lovely as always Sören :-)

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    1. Thanks Stephen :0) It does look quite dead, maybe the Easter Bunny has been "lifting his leg" on the lawn...

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  4. Stunning paint work Sören !!!

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    1. Thanks Micke - Soon you'll be rallied to the gaming table. Jesper has got quite a few units ready as well. I've got one more unit coming up, then we'll roll out a test game.

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  5. What a splendid looking unit Søren! Beautiful painting and lovely flags.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words Jonas! Test game invite goes for you as well. We'll run it with the Pike&Shotte rules. Can't remember, are you Sörmlänning or Östgöte? I'll try to include a regionally related regiment for your cavalry wing :0)

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    2. Östgöte!

      http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Östgöta_kavalleriregemente

      I like their motto – "Nulli Secundas" – how's that for cocky?! ;)

      I don't know if Östgöta kavalleriregemente fought in the battle of Lund, but Östgöta infanteriregemente did.

      I'll sure be up for some gaming when you and Jesper are ready.

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    3. Powerful rhetorics indeed :0) You're quite right, the regular Östgöta cavalry regiment was apparently stationed at the Eda fortifications around the time of Lund. However, a unit called Gamla Östgötar based on privately recruited veterans, commanded by Otto Wellingk, took part in the rough fighting at the center. I'll get flags et.c sorted out so you can lead your kinsmen to the front!

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  6. Superb painted miniatures Soren, and great looking flags, all backed up by your usual interesting historic background

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment Chris, glad you liked the write up. Learning heaps of stuff myself as I chew my way through the historic source material on these units.

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  7. Thanks very much Ray, appreciate your kind comment!

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  8. Hi Black powder, great work on the project. I have been following your progress on the units and I am wondering when you will post some more Swedish Units? I am interested to see how you paint them and base them. I am getting ready to start buying and painting figures for the Battle of Halmstad. I am using the rules under the lilly banner. What rules will you be using for your game? I will soon move from the Washington DC to Stockholm and I wonder if you know of any Wargaming clubs in Stockholm? Thanks

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    1. Thank you for the kind words on the project! More Swedes are coming, but I'm waiting for the flags, which are being produced at the moment. Good choice of historical period to start up, and equally nice job at moving to Sweden. I'm sure I'll be able to give you a hint or two on this lovely city :0)
      I'm a member at an excellent local club with some dedicated and very productive historical gamers. Send me a PM at: sorenralph@gmail.com and we'll talk more on this and the Scanian War. Cheers, Soren

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