References for French Ordonnance

[St George]

I'm going to be painting French Ordonnance (army IV\82a and b) as sson as I can find a reference to it. I have the Osprey Armies of Medieval Burgundy coming soon but I guess that's only good for IV\84.

Has anyone found any good references for this army? Online resources would be preferable.

Thanks

[El' Jocko]

My son is using the DBA On-Line drawings as a reference for his French Ordonnance.

French Ordonannce (http://www.dbaol.com/armies/army_178_figure_1.htm)

I don't know how accurate their drawings are, but it's a start.

- Jack

[Ares]

I was looking for info on this army a while back myself. A more intensive investigator than myself might turn up something, but as it was, no luck - those elusive and comprehensive 'online resources' we like to imagine are out there, somewhere, are an illusion or wishful thinking, I believe. smile.gif Of course, some armies are easier to get free stuff for than others since it's mostly an issue of popularity - people aren't beating down the door (at least on English-language sites) to do French Ordonnance, but you can get (almost) all the free advice and references you want for ACW. At some point we just have to break down and buy the book (if we can find one we can use).

Using the DBAOL pictures as a guide is as good an idea for a freebie as anything else I've come across - wish I'd thought of it sooner - and is probably close enough to the historical facts as you're likely to get without going after a PhD on the subject. It looks like the resource I'll be using!

Eric

[ December 14, 2005, 13:24: Message edited by: Ares ]

[St George]

Yes, there does seem to be a lack of online info on this subject; tbh I'm not even sure what a 'French Ordonnance' army is.

At some point we just have to break down and buy the book (if we can find one we can use) This is the point, I don't mind buying a book but I haven't been able to find an appropriate title.

Any guidelines will be gratefully received smile.gif

[Gregorius]

The closest book that I could come up with was the following: French Armies of the Hundred Years War (Men-at-Arms 337).

I hope this helps.

Greg

[ December 14, 2005, 21:45: Message edited by: Gregorius ]

[Terry37]

Ian, I am a big fan of Medieval French armies and do not know of any one single reference for this one. However, if you will give me an e-mail ddress, I can send you some uniform info. That plus the Osprey book on the French armies of the 100 Yrs War, as already mentioned, should get you started. I have done a lot of research on French armies, and most of it is in bits and dabs at various times, and from various sources. The chapter on the French in George Gush's old book might also be helpful. Sorry I can't be more help, Terry

[Maerk]

There is an excellent book on this subject : "Distant Mirror: The calamitous 14th century" by Barbara Tuchman, a U.S. historian.

The book describes the events and the related people of 14th century France, including the upcoming french ordonnances. It gives excellent information about politics and society of the time. There are no pictures inside, but you'll find some descriptions of clothing and armament.

[St George]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have already ordered French Armies of the Hundred Years War so hopefully that will help.

Terry, I would appreciate anything you can send me, my email is stgeorgeofthe59th@hotmail.com.

Thanks again

[Memnon]

There is also the old Wrg book "Arimies of the Middle Ages, vol. 1" (I think this is the right title, I have it at home). It has information on the French Ord.