The Armada Sailing from Ferrrol, July 12th, 1588

The second print from a painting by Sir Oswald Walters Brierly is entitled "The Armada Sailing from Ferrrol, July 12th, 1588". This was painted in 1879 and etched by David Law in 1882.

Here is a close up of the galleon which dominates the painting, probably "São Martinho" again.

"The Decisive Action with the Armada off Gravelines 30th July 1588 (Drake in The Revenge attacking Medina Sidonia in the San Martin)"

My family is the proud owner of two David Law engravings of work by the English maritime painter, Sir Oswald Walters Brierly (1817-1894). The first is "The Decisive Action with the Armada off Gravelines 30th July 1588 (Drake in the Revenge attacking Medina Sidonia in the San Martin)".

This was painted in 1881 and etched by David Law in 1882. These are artist remarqueed prints, we think from 1882. We had them restored in 2007, a painstaking process that took 11 months, by conservator, Frances Pritchett, and then reframed behind museum glass.

Here is a close up of the famous dual. The "San Martin" was in fact the Portuguese galleon "São Martinho", impressed into Spanish service when Portugal was invaded and annexed by Spain.

You will read later that I have recently commissioned a 1/350 model of the Revenge and hope to also commission São Martinho.

Battle of Bosworth Field, 22nd August 1485,

Many years ago when visiting Bosworth Field, maybe mid 1980's, I purchased a print of the heraldry of the participants. It looks like it may have been copied from a water colour original by the artist Peter Russell, dated 1981. It may have been commissioned in anticipation of the 500th anniversary of the battle, and just as the battlefield restoration was in full swing with the new museum and visitor's center and flags on the battlefield.

Anyway, the Perry's new Wars of the Roses 28mm figures in plastic and metal have me thinking a lot about heraldry and badges of the principal participants. The print is somewhat fanciful with a mix of gothic armour and armour for the joust. However I thought this might be useful for modelers wishing to paint the tabards and coats of their figures in heraldry. The new Foot Knights set in particular allow this with several new models.

Anyway, with thanks to Peter Russell for this poster which I have kept on various walls for over 40 years, here are some photos of his work.