Modified Dragoons, (Warlord) - Part 1 of 6

The models detailed in the next half dozen posts have been modified to depict dragoons during the English Civil Wars (ECW). Drgoons were mounted, mobile infantry. A very interesting article about their use during the conflict can be seen [Here be Dragoons]. The name itself may derive from the weapon, a dragon, that this type of mounted infantry originally carried or possibly be derived from the Dutch word meaning mounted infantry.

Unit of Dragoons for The Pikeman's Lament

Although the famous Streeter map of the Battle of Naseby shows the dragoons dismounted and an individual holding the reins of half a dozen horses I preferred to depict a more dramatic look for these models based on the experiences of a WWII soldier. More of this in a latter post.

View from the Parliamentarian positions looking diagonally across the Naseby battlefield towards the Royalist right wing. Colonel John Okey's dismounted dragoons attacked Prince Rupert's cavalry using the cover of the hedges approximately along the far left of the photo above.

For this particular project I also wanted to attempt a slightly different basing method to the one I normally use and make these particular figures instantly recognisable as dragoons and not regular cavalry.

The upcoming (January 2017) The Pikeman's Lament rules recommend using a mix of mounted and dismounted models to represent dragoons and there are six models per unit for this particular type. 

To my logic this would consist of three mounted and three regular infantry figures fixed on round bases (although typically I didn't stick to my own rules). The use of round bases aren't required by the rules, it is just to make it immediately obvious when playing a game to differentiate which models are proper cavalry and which models represented dragoons. I'm playing fast and loose with the basing system here as the Pikeman's Lament rules are flexible enough as to which basing method you prefer (already use) isn't particularly important. Individual figures probably give a better impression on the tabletop of a skirmish game. Multiple based figure just require a method of recording the casualty numbers. I simply use a single die to keep track of a unit's casualties and then remove bases as and when necessary.

The next few posts will detail the models themselves and the modifciations made to them.