#hundredyearswar

[brushmans-guild]

Mercenary band, Renaissance Wargames Atlantic November 2025

It’s always nice to return to the medieval and renaissance periods for a bit of a palette cleanser; I painted up a Landsknecht vignette a while ago, and found that painting a number of similar miniatures in an absolute riot of colour was a really nice break from the usual uniformity I go for (if a little more time-consuming than that typically is). In that same spirit, here are a couple of European renaissance mercenaries, ready to stand in defence of the highest bidder. I painted these with the Italian states in mind, but they could just as easily be from essentially anywhere else in Europe. These are from Wargames Atlantic's 'Conquistadors' box, with equipment and headwear to allow them that little bit more pan-European versatility.

[infamoushistory]

Joan of Arc Vindicated: The Trial That Restored Her Name

On July 7, 1456, a retrial verdict officially cleared Joan of Arc of the charges of heresy that had led to her execution 25 years earlier. After being captured by the English and their allies in 1430, Joan was subjected to a politically motivated trial and burned at the stake in Rouen in 1431 at only 19 years old.

The new investigation, ordered by Pope Callixtus III, examined the original proceedings and found serious errors and unfairness in the trial. Witnesses were called, evidence was reviewed, and the court declared that Joan’s conviction was unjust, restoring her reputation as a faithful servant of France.

The retrial transformed Joan from a condemned prisoner into a symbol of courage, faith, and national identity. Centuries later, her legacy continued to grow, and she was canonized as a saint in 1920, becoming one of history’s most celebrated figures.

[thebritishmonarchycouk]

On This Day In History . 25 October 1415 . Henry V gained his greatest victory at the Battle of Agincourt . The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory in the Hundred Years’ War. It took place on 25 October 1415 (Saint Crispin’s Day) in the County of Saint-Pol, Artois, some 40 km south of Calais (now Azincourt in northern France). . ◼ England’s unexpected victory at Agincourt against a numerically superior French army boosted English morale & prestige, crippled France, & started a new period in the war during which the English began enjoying great military successes. . 👑 King Henry V of England led his troops into battle & participated in hand-to-hand fighting. . ◼ The battle is notable for the use of the English longbow in very large numbers, with the English & Welsh archers making up nearly 80 percent of Henry’s army. The devastation of the French cavalry at their hands signaled the decline of cavalry & the increasing dominance of ranged weapons on the battlefield. . ◼ Agincourt is one of England’s most celebrated victories & was one of the most important English triumphs in the Hundred Years’ War, along with the Battle of Crécy (1346) & Battle of Poitiers (1356). It forms the centrepiece of the play Henry V by William Shakespeare. . 📖 Read my full story of the Battle with biography of Henry V, where you can also watch clips of Shakespeare’s play, by Sir Laurence Olivier in 1944 & Kenneth Branagh in the 1989 version. . . . #onthisdayinhistory #thisdayinhistory #theyear1415 #d25oct #BattleofAgincourt #HundredYearsWar #History #Historic #HenryV #HenryVofEngland #KingHenryV #England #France #SaintCrispinsDay #EnglishHistory #EnglishMonarchy #instahistory #historyfacts #Thebritishmonarchy #Britishmonarchy #HouseofLancaster #HouseofPlantagenet #otd (at Azincourt) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGxuvHzDNXs/?igshid=boli0pz7tlr8

[brushmans-guild]

Longbowmen, Hundred Years' War Claymore Castings October 2025

I don't tend to post things that are especially personal here, instead reserving it for hobby-related hijinx only, but recent events call for me to break that rule. I sadly lost my father earlier this year and, given that he was a keen longbow archer, I felt it necessary to break out a couple of these metal longbowmen from Claymore Castings that I've had in my backlog for a while. My first thought after finishing them and basing them up was "I bet Dad would've loved to see these."

[infamoushistory]

June 14, 1404 – Owain Glyndŵr Allies with France in the Fight for Welsh Independence

On June 14, 1404, Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr strengthened his struggle against King Henry IV by forging an alliance with France, England’s long-time rival. Having proclaimed himself Prince of Wales in 1400, Glyndŵr had led a growing national uprising aimed at ending English rule over Wales.

By 1404, the rebellion was at its height. Glyndŵr controlled large parts of Wales, held a parliament at Machynlleth, and sought international recognition for an independent Welsh state. The alliance with France brought military assistance, including French troops and financial support, giving new momentum to the revolt.

For France, supporting Glyndŵr offered an opportunity to weaken England during the wider conflict of the Hundred Years' War. For the Welsh leader, French backing provided legitimacy and the hope of securing lasting independence.

Although the rebellion ultimately failed and English authority was eventually restored, Owain Glyndŵr became a symbol of Welsh resistance and national identity. Today he remains celebrated as Wales's last native Prince of Wales and one of the greatest figures in Welsh history.

[infamoushistory]

The Failed Burgundian Siege of Calais

On July 9, 1436, Philip the Good launched a major campaign against the English stronghold of Calais during the later stages of the Hundred Years' War. Leading a massive Burgundian army estimated at around 30,000 men, Philip sought to capture the strategically important port after peace efforts at the Congress of Arras failed and English raids threatened Burgundian lands.

Despite the impressive size of his forces, the siege quickly became a costly failure. The English defenders of Calais resisted fiercely, and the Burgundian army struggled to overcome the city’s defenses. After weeks of pressure and mounting difficulties, Philip was forced to abandon the campaign and withdraw, leaving Calais firmly in English hands.

The failed siege demonstrated the challenges Burgundy faced in expanding its influence and confronting English power. Although Philip the Good remained one of Europe’s most powerful rulers, the defeat at Calais showed that military strength alone could not easily break England’s hold on its continental possessions.

[infamoushistory]

French Capture of Cherbourg During the Hundred Years’ War

On July 6, 1450, during the later stages of the Hundred Years' War, French forces captured the strategic port of Cherbourg in Normandy. The town had long been one of the remaining English strongholds on the French coast, giving England an important naval and supply link across the Channel.

By this point in the war, France had been steadily reclaiming territory lost earlier in the conflict. The siege and eventual surrender of Cherbourg marked another step in pushing English power out of mainland France, tightening French control over Normandy and weakening England’s ability to project power on the continent.

The fall of Cherbourg was part of a wider shift that defined the closing phase of the war: England’s continental holdings were shrinking rapidly, while France was consolidating authority over its traditional lands. It was another sign that the long struggle was moving decisively in France’s favor.

[infamoushistory]

From Charles the Beloved to Charles the Mad: The Tragic Fall of a French King

When Charles VI of France inherited the French throne in 1380, he was welcomed as a symbol of hope. Crowned at just 11 years old, he grew into a popular ruler known for his kindness, earning the affectionate nickname "Charles the Beloved." Under his early reign, France enjoyed a period of stability as he gradually took control from the powerful nobles who had governed during his childhood.

Everything changed in 1392. While leading a military expedition through a forest near Le Mans, Charles suddenly suffered a terrifying mental breakdown. In a fit of madness, he attacked his own knights, killing several before being restrained. It was the first of many episodes that would haunt the rest of his life.

As his condition worsened, Charles experienced delusions so bizarre that they shocked the royal court. At times, he failed to recognize his wife and children. On one occasion, he believed he was made of glass and refused to let anyone touch him, fearing he would shatter. During his periods of insanity, rival factions of the French nobility fought bitterly for control of the kingdom.

Charles's illness plunged France into political chaos. The feud between the Armagnacs and Burgundians erupted into civil war, weakening the kingdom just as England renewed the Hundred Years' War. This instability paved the way for England's greatest victories, including the devastating defeat of France at the Battle of Agincourt.

By the time Charles VI died in 1422, the king once celebrated as "the Beloved" had become forever remembered as "Charles the Mad." His tragic illness transformed not only his own legacy but also the fate of medieval France, leaving the kingdom fractured during one of the darkest chapters in its history.