{"product_id":"victrix-medieval-crossbowmen-archers-sprue-x6-figures-28mm-miniatures","title":"VICTRIX Medieval Crossbowmen \u0026 Archers Sprue (x6 Figures) - 28mm Miniatures","description":"\u003cp\u003eField a versatile medieval ranged unit with the freedom to choose your own poses and army composition. With a variety of body, armour, and weapon options, every sprue builds six figures equipped either with crossbows or bows. Miniatures must be assembled and painted and do not include bases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's on the Sprue?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrossbowmen with stirrup-equipped crossbows for rapid reloading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArchers in Gambeson — mix with our Dark Age Archers set for maximum unit variation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHistorical Period\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate 12th to late 13th century — the age of the Crusades and the conflicts of medieval Europe, from the fields of France and Spain to the Barons' Wars in England and the struggles with the Scots, Welsh, and Irish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Crossbow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese figures showcase the later development of the crossbow from the earlier Norman design. A stirrup has been added to the end of the weapon — the archer would place their foot in the stirrup, attach the drawstring to a hook on their belt, then straighten their leg and lean upward to cock the bow. This innovation made loading significantly faster and enabled the development of a far more powerful weapon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe English infantry adopted the bow as their principal weapon following Henry III's Assize of Arms in 1242, fielding large forces of archers, while the crossbow was more widely favoured by the French. The Italians, Gascons, and Catalans were also famed for their expertise with the crossbow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMedieval Tactics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeneral medieval tactics placed infantry — spearmen, archers, and crossbowmen — in a solid block at the centre of the battle line. Cavalry would charge, pull back to reform behind the infantry wall, then charge out again. These figures are built to represent that disciplined, combined-arms approach to medieval warfare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompatible Factions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnglish (Barons' Wars, conflicts with Scots, Welsh, and Irish)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrench\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpanish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGermans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eItalians, Gascons, and Catalans (renowned crossbowmen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrusader states\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAdditional Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrossbow features historically accurate stirrup for late 12th–13th century dating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArchers in Gambeson mix seamlessly with the Dark Age Archers \u0026amp; Slingers set for greater unit variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide range of head and equipment options for varied poses and army compositions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRecommended Historical Rulesets\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese figures are an excellent fit for a wide range of popular medieval wargames:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLion Rampant\u003c\/strong\u003e — use as Bidowers or crossbow-armed Foot Sergeants depending on your retinue build\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHail Caesar\u003c\/strong\u003e — bulk out your medieval divisions with skirmishing missile and crossbow units\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSAGA: Age of Crusades\u003c\/strong\u003e — field as Warriors or Levy with bows or crossbows across Crusader, French, and English factions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBarons' War\u003c\/strong\u003e — ideal ranged support for English and French retinues of the 13th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrusader\u003c\/strong\u003e — represent the missile troops of the Crusader states or their opponents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFantasy Conversion Potential\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dynamic poses and generic medieval aesthetic make these figures highly adaptable for fantasy settings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKings of War\u003c\/strong\u003e — suitable as Kingdoms of Men crossbowmen or human archer units; Gambeson archers work well for lighter skirmish roles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarhammer: The Old World\u003c\/strong\u003e — convert into Empire Crossbowmen, Bretonnian Peasant Bowmen, or mercenary crossbow units with minimal modification; the variety of heads and equipment options makes faction-specific customisation straightforward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe lightly armoured bodies also lend themselves to proxy use in any low-fantasy or historical-adjacent ruleset where human missile troops are needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Victrix Miniatures","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48032955924618,"sku":null,"price":8.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0762\/6984\/6666\/files\/Main_Product_Photo_copy_2048x_e608e7ef-2c0a-4d65-9574-55ff4041d606.webp?v=1776276700","url":"https:\/\/thevictorsspoils.myshopify.com\/products\/victrix-medieval-crossbowmen-archers-sprue-x6-figures-28mm-miniatures","provider":"The Victor's Spoils, Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}