They were Catalan & Aragonese troops copying Saracen units, so you can use the name in modern Catalan (almogàver) or Aragonese (almugávar), as those would be the languages they would use. They served the Crown of Aragon, which used Latin as official language but most people would use those two languages. Spanish would not be imposed on the Crown of Aragon until 1712-16 (when the Kingdom of Spain was created after Castile forces too, he countries of the Crown Aragon by force, one by one). They did not consider themselves Spanish, if you will Franks/Carolingians or post-franks; unlike Asturies and other actual Spanish kingdoms; the counties of Aragon and Catalonia were created and lead by Carolingians as a buffer zone against Arab attacks. Then they would become independent around the 9th century in protest for the perceived lack of support from the Frank Empire. There a decent amount of accounts of the time on them. A good one was the chronicle of Ramon Muntaner in Catalan, the man himself had served as captain in the almogavars ranks. As far as I recall none of the accounts talk about chainmail, so the choice by Fireforge is certainly odd. They were usually Catalan or Aragonese mountaineers and shepherds turned paramilitary, living from the land, and even doing some banditry on the side. Wearing light gear (cloth basically), falchiata like big knives, spears and javelins. Traditionally they would work as small skirmishing bands doing raids on the borders, think more like modern guerrilla raids than the old traditional skirmishers attached to bigger forces (although they did participate as auxiliaries in some pitch battles and sieges too, especially by the end of Middle Ages). Nowadays the Spanish Army paratroopers self attributed lineage over them, an use their names in some units. Even copying symbols or their traditional warcry “Desperta Ferro!” (which means awaken iron in Catalan).

Ah yes my favourite Fireforge Games kit, Alkmgelnrglerhgerlgergerg

@PuttingOnTheFoil

Жыл бұрын

A close second is Fhqwhgads

@ObscuritiesinMiniature

Жыл бұрын

I figured it had some Arabic origins, but Almughavar is a lot more interesting and quicker to say than "lightly armored Spanish skirmishers."

I can see these guys also making good town militia units or even a well funded bandit gang if you wanted to make one that wasn't your typical robinhood esque woodsmen look

@ObscuritiesinMiniature

Жыл бұрын

A lot of Fireforge's models would work well in such a capacity. In fact, I feel like I've got some videos of other kits of theirs lined up at some point soon that would also fill similar roles.

While Almughavars themselves are more High or even Late Medieval unit, who fought during Reconquista and as mercenaries for and against Bysantine Empire, you also defenitely could use this miniatures as Basques/Vascones for Battle of Roncevaux Pass against Carolingian Franks and for other battles in which Basques fought against.Franks, Saracens and Vikings during Early Medieval period.

@ObscuritiesinMiniature

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I absolutely want some Saracens now. Coincidentally, I saw Fireforge has a new Arab warrior kit coming soon too!

@thomaswilliams5005

Жыл бұрын

I just started listening to the Reconquista podcast. Interesting period. Medieval versus Muslims Viking versus Muslims Muslims versus Muslims

@awordabout...3061

Жыл бұрын

Would these work as a Catalan Company? There are very few 14th/15th century Byzantine kits, and a block of these as the Catalan company, some venetian and italian crossbows, and just a few latin-style cavalry should do the job.

@user-yy5xs6xj7r

Жыл бұрын

​@@awordabout...3061 Yes, they would be quite appropriate. If I understand correctly, the bulk of the Catalan Company consists of Almughavars. There also were knights, Iberian light cavalry (similar to Jinets) and local mercenary light cavalry (mostly Turks).

I just a bunch of money on Fireforge kits and now I need these! I love the javelin guys.

Sir I enjoyed this video.

These on 20x20 really do something for me

Spartacus was freaking great!

Nice video, they are pronounced Al-moo-gah-bars

Very nice set! The name of these units is Arabic, as it originates from the time period in which Iberia was controlled by Muslim kingdoms! Very nice bits for any early medieval kitbashes, and I'd definitely wanna take some of those javelins for my Frostgrave soldiers.

@ObscuritiesinMiniature

Жыл бұрын

This kit is a goldmine to pillage for neat parts and for some lighter skirmishers.

A look in to yes the other bit pike men and square baes s no big one but me see nest vid