Until the XVI century, Christendom had suffered greatly under the sword of Islam and for several reasons had been almost unable to react to its menace. Then, fortunately, this inactivity came to an end. In 1521, Suleiman the Magnificent, ruler of the Ottoman Empire at the height of its power, prepared to dispatch an invasion fleet to the island of Rhodes. It was to prove the opening shot in an epic struggle between rival empires and faiths for control of the Mediterranean that consumed the centre of the world for sixty years. It is the story of the great contest between the Ottomans and the Spanish Hapsburgs, a fast-paced tale of spiralling intensity that ranged from Istanbul to the Gates of Gibraltar and features a cast of extraordinary characters: Hayrettin Barbarossa, the original Barbary pirate, the risk-taking Emperor Charles V, the Knights of St John, last survivors of the military crusading orders, and the brilliant Christian admiral, Don Juan of Austria. Its brutal climax came between 1565 and 1571, six years that witnessed a fight to the finish, decided in a series of bloody set pieces: the epic siege of Malta, the battle for Cyprus, with the desperate defence of Famagusta by Marcantonio Bragadin, and the apocalyptic last-ditch defence of southern Europe at Lepanto.
I have always been very interested in this period, but I decided to design this range after reading two books. The first is “Empires of the Sea: The Final Battle for the Mediterranean, 1521 - 1580” by Roger Crowley. The second is “The Great Siege: Knights vs. Turks MDLXV. Anatomy of a Hospitaller Victory” by Stephen C. Spiteri, a must for anyone seriously interested in the subject.
Please, contact me at arsenalminiatures@yahoo.it or at andrea.magnani@tin.it
My name is Andrea Magnani. I am 43, male, Italian (sorry for that!), married with two daughters. I work as a "Dottore Commercialista", which is something between a fiscal lawyer and a chartered accountant. There is not a British or American equivalent, I think.
History and wargaming are my favorite hobbies. The idea to start this project came one evening, after I had a day to leave behind.
I decided that I had better enjoy myself and avoid to worry if the business would not reach the break-even point. With the sale of the miniatures I will (perhaps!) reduce my losses.
My goodness, this man is fast-paced at work. Very well done! This range keeps me excited.
RispondiEliminaCheers
SG
This is really lovely work!I'm really looking forward to the release of this line.:-)
RispondiEliminaCheers
Christopher
This looks like an intriguing range of miniatures! I was reading "The Great Siege" only this afternoon.
RispondiEliminaThis looks to be a very promising line of miniatures :)
RispondiEliminaAll the best with the venture
Any news on this range?
RispondiEliminaHi, I'am looking forward to buy these range.
RispondiEliminaAndrea did you have any success launching the range, I would be interesting in buying several castings.
RispondiEliminaRegards
Stuart
Looking fine!
RispondiElimina