Medieval Peasants - Various Manufacturers

Medieval peasants are often ignored by wargamers since they are not very useful on a wargaming table. However, medieval peasants were involved in battles, sieges and skirmishes of the period. Medieval commanders often used them as laborers, camp followers, arrow fodder or as a last resort. Peasants even had their own armies sometimes, such as during peasant uprisings in France during 100 years war, Hussite armies in Bohemia and Peasant Wars in Germany.

Here are photos of peasants from different manufacturers and review of the models




Above are peasants from Italian company Mirliton. They came from their excellent range of early 14th century Italian militia armies. Most models are city militia, but those specifically labeled peasants. Figures come with variety of peasant weapons such as clubs, pitchforks, scythes, axes, etc. Figures can be given shields and pole arms to make them more like city militias.



Figures above are from interesting company from NY state. I bought these long time ago and don't remember the name, but think that this company doesn't exist anymore. They made unusual figures such as camp followers, soldiers making rude gestures, high nobility, execution vignettes, etc. Sculpting is a bit cartoony, but poses are interesting. If you know the name of the company - let me know as I threw away the blisters.



Foundry civilians from their 100 years war range. Interesting poses, well sculpted. 2 figures in the center are the same, painted differently.


Foundry peasants from 100 years war and probably from their 13th century range. Figure on the left suppose to be just an old man pointing, but I converted him for some reason I don't remember. He now holds mace in his left hand and wears old rusty helmet - GW bits. Some, if not all of those models use to be old GW Bretonians.


Foundry 15th century peasants. Slightly smaller than their other peasants, they fit together nevertheless. Nice sculpts, easy to paint, full of character.


Foundry Scott ribaulds. Figures like that can be easily added to peasants or back ranks of your infantry formations because of very poor clothing these figures have. Very small details make them Scots so there should be no problem using them for other nationalities.


Figures above came from various Fantasy manufacturers, some, if not all of them, are not in business anymore. Fantasy manufacturers often have figures that are suitable for historical periods. Two figures in the center suppose to be slingers, but slings broke off almost immediately and I gave them hand weapons instead. I have no idea what companies made those as I threw away blisters years ago.


Camp followers and their "manager". Women are from NY company with unusual figures I mention before. Monk is an old Citadel figure, I think.


Old Glory figures from their 100 years war "Crecy" range. 30 figures that came in one bag are all different with various heads and weapons switched between the bodies. Above are 6 hammer poses that were in my bag.


Old Glory peasants with pick hammers and axes.


Old Glory peasants with clubs and 2 handed axes.


Old Glory peasants with scythes and chain mace.

Old Glory peasants with flails and pitchforks. All the figures from that bag were very good sculpts and painted up very well.

Compare various manufacturers. Left to right: Mirliton, 100YW Foundry, WotR Foundry, Old Glory, Unknown company, NY company and Unknown other company. You can see that figures are more or less the same height. They mix together pretty well because of the similar head and fist sizes, few mm in height makes no difference.

Igor