Mounted Men at Arms completed, archers and Bill men on the painting board next.

The four units of mounted men at arms (knights to you and I) are now completed, which means all the boxes of cavalry for the project are now complete. Attention has turned to completing the foot units of which I have one box of foot knights (6 units in Lion Rampant), two boxes of mercenaries, enough to make three units of spear men and one each of crossbows and firearms and finally three boxes in infantry for three Bill men and six archer units. A box of infantry has been chosen for the next job, they will give Lord Benedict Foxe and Sir Walter de Cobham a second unit of archers each, the units of Bill men carry no specific colours and can be used as required.

Four completed six man units of mounted men at arms. The flags/banners may or may not have been used in the War of the Roses, but as they came in the box, and more importantly, the fact I liked them, they have been added.

The front rank occupied by Sir Walter de Cobham's men.

The second rank by men of Sir Godfrey Howard.

The rear two ranks form two units which can be used by lesser lords/barons in the campaign game.

I now have enough completed units to fight out a decent sized battle in Lion Rampant, the remaining boxes currently being worked on will eventually give me enough for battles in Hail Caesar, L'Art de la Guerre and Sword and Spear. All of which will get an airing over the coming weeks/months.

My new Cigar Box Battle Mat arrived yesterday too! It is the multi-textured one without roads, rivers etc. so it will be christened too.

Finally, today was the last day of my working life. I have now retired after 47 years of nose to the grindstone and I am looking forward to the extra time it will give me. The date for my heart by-pass operation has also been confirmed for the 15th January 2016, if successful, it should return my health to good order once the recuperation period of six to ten weeks is over with. So as one phase of my life ends another begins, the heart operation should be a thing of the past as Spring and better weather arrives and I can truly appreciate my retirement.