Clubmen were hastily assembled militia, banded together to defend their homes, in this case against Montrose's Highland marauders! I painted them up as part of the same commission as four of my previously posted
Highlanders, from Warlord
Pike and Shotte plastic infantry.
These particular clubman have been fortunate enough to gain, through one way or another, seemingly military-grade gear, unlike most of their ill-equipped comrades. Their clothes, however, are an assortment of colors - civilian work clothes re-purposed. The idea of a uniform was still emerging, even among the regular armies.
This particular model carries a matchlock musket, and all the necessary equipment to fire it, as well as a hunting sword, called a hanger on a baldric at his side. Also, a knit cap protects against the cold northern winds. While fairly simple to paint, I enjoyed researching this period, learning more about the campaigns in which these soldiers fought.
His face is almost hidden under a broad hat, but you get a good shot of the gun. While inaccurate, the matchlocks offered a measure of protection to the slow-moving pike blocks, often grouped at the flanks.
Speaking of pikes, here's a pikeman. The size (some six inches long on this model) was startling to me at first, this is a weapon I'd not like to cross! He also wears a large, round helmet, the origin, as I recall of the New Model Army's nickname 'roundheads'. I had a few models left over from this commission, mostly musketeers, which I'm painting, eventually, as New Model Army.
There was one exception to the clubmen, I painted this one in the hodden grey of the Covenenters, soldiers of the Presbyterian Kirk of Scotland. A very interesting force, who switched sides during the conflict, fighting with the Cromwell-led parliament, turning over King Charles to them, before switching sides and supporting the king's son, Charles II.
Like these? Check out my
Etsy shop, where you can custom order some of your own!
Also, check out my Highlanders
here
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