Friday 8 February 2019

Thoughts on The Electorate of Bustenberg

One of the many surprises that came out of the eleven crates of unpainted 18th century figures from the collection of Eric Knowles was number of unit boxes designated 'The Electorate of Bustenberg'. The boxes consisted of units of horse and foot and rather a lot of gunners with figures from the final quarter of the 18th century that eventually filled an entire crate. The units all had names so a certain amount of preparation and forethought had been undertaken by Eric and indeed, the whole set up formed a complete and sizeable army for the period.

Nobody, including Eric's son Bill, knew anything about this particular project of Eric's and aside from some small notes about uniform details - Eric was very organised about such things - contained in a few of the unit boxes themselves, the whole thing is a bit of a mystery.

The Army of the Electorate of Bustenberg

Cavalry

Erzherzogin Leibgarde - 10 figures
Bustenhalter Kuirassiers - 18 figures
Fieldelbaum Dragoons - 16 figures
Jäger Zu Pferde Biergarten - 14 mounted plus 7 dismounted figures

Infantry

Garde Zu Fuss - 33 figures
Von Boozy - 33 figures
2nd Line - 36 figures
Vlaming Fusiliers Limburg - 34 figures
Vlaming Fusiliers Brabant - 36 figures
Vlaming Regiment Ghent - 31 figures
Der Freischutz Light Infantry 1st regiment - 28 figures
Der Freischutz Light Infantry 2nd regiment - 22 figures
Combined Grenadiers - 14 figures

There is also 46 gunners as well as mounted generals etc.

Interestingly the figures are quite late in the century compared to the rest of the collection as the infantry are wearing trousers and bicornes whilst the heavy cavalry looks suspiciously like British Napoleonic heavy dragoons.

It is fascinating to speculate exactly what Eric intended for this part of his collection although given that he had the 18th century already covered with his historical armies he may not have prioritised it. I must confess that seeing this and all the attendant figures for the other forces did make me think rather whimsically about my own aspirations in the 'imagi-nation' direction.

The Grand Duchy of Artois and the Electorate of Kronenbourg have existed as an idea for at least ten years, probably longer. I still have the list regimental names for each side - Artois taking theirs from the names of various wines whilst Kronenbourg are after continental beers.

The one thing that struck me though about all this is that these ideas need to be acted upon or, as in the case of the Electorate of Bustenberg, they pass away into history with their creator.

10 comments:

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Gawd ...
This and teh previous posts leave me speechless

How many years would this have taken to paint?
I better just do a reality check in my loft :(

Robert (Bob) Cordery said...

David,

You must - yes, MUST! - ensure that the Electorate of Bustenberg is not consigned to the dustbin of history.

I'm not sure how you can do it, but it's too good a concept to be lost. I'm not suggesting that you paint up Eric's figures, but perhaps a small PW army might be the answer.

All the best,

Bob

tradgardmastare said...

Interesting to read of the Duchy. I wonder if the Napoleonic looking cavalry suggest an approach like that of Peter Young who mixes and matches in Charge with Napoleonic artillery men as part of his army?
Alan

David Crook said...

Hi Geordie,

Apparently the 11 crates represent roughly two thirds of the unpainted 18th century collection.....

The army sizes were very much of their time in many ways and Eric never managed to grasp the concept of less is more!

Checking the loft may not be a great idea - think about what you might be uncovering!

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Bob,

Funny you should mention that - and for both reasons....

(Pauses to grin enigmatically whilst staring into the middle distance....)

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Alan,

That may well be the case as Eric was a fan of Charge. I uncovered another box of figures - the Kurland Hussars - for the army so Eric was obviously going for it in a big way.

It would be good to represent it in some fashion as it would be a shame for it to disappear.

Much to ponder once again!

All the best,

DC

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Plenty to talk about at CoW

David Crook said...

Hi Geordie,

Oh yes indeedy although I will be arriving early Saturday morning rather than Friday - double booked with a concert.

I shall be leaving home around 6:30 am so ‘Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast!”

All the best,

DC

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Bob said:
"I'm not suggesting that you paint up Eric's figures, but perhaps a small PW army might be the answer."

But I am:
With a little help from your friends

David Crook said...

Hi Geordie,

Funny you should say that....

All the best,

DC