Reconstructing the „carroccio“ of the archbishop of Cologne at the

K.-H. Kieckers 01/2011
Reconstructing the „carroccio“ of the archbishop of Cologne
at the Battle of Worringen 1288
A “carriccio”, “standaert” or battlewagon, said to stem from the battle of Worringen
was preserved in the Cologne “Zeughaus” until the 1794 and then destroyed by
French troops. Fortunately at least two drawings do exist based on the original. One
drawing from 1621 by Augustinus Braun shows a large bell suspending from a
wooden arch in the centre of the wagon and shields suspending from the sides of the
wagon-box. The shield-design is the old Cologne coat of arms. The drawing would
rather hint on a municipal Cologne battlewagon or “standaert” than that of its
episcopally enemy.
The second drawing of unknown origin is much clearer in detail, lacks the shield and
the central construction. Note also the covered wheels, the poles and the serated
metal–band beneath the sides (both to prevent the wagon to be turned over during a
fight). The second drawing thus reminds more of hussit battlewagon than a
“carroccio”.
The “Slag van Woeringen” written by Jan van Helelu in the early 1290th tells us that
the wagon was drawn by strong horses and featured the battle-standard in a wooden
box resembling a castle. Later sources speak of 4 horses, which would be the
minimum to draw such a design.
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K.-H. Kieckers 01/2011
We can also rely on a picture of a Florentine “carroccio” from the battle of
Carmignano (1228) featuring a similar design. The source for this is the Giovanni
Villani codex from the 14th century. The Villani codex was used to create the 25mm
model by Mirliton (Italy).
Taking all that in account, a 1:1 model of the battle-wagon was created in 1987 in
Cologne for the celebration of the 700 anniversary of the battle. The model itself
seems (again) lost but pictures do exist. The model was 1.70 meters high (minus the
flagpole), 4.50 meters long and 1.40 meters wide providing space for the banner plus
8 to 10 men-at-arms (with crossbows?).
This design was taken over to create a flat-figure-miniature.
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K.-H. Kieckers 01/2011
Unfortunately no 25/28mm model of the Cologne design exists but several models by
the Privatoffizin Diez Leopold in St.Pölten (Austria) could be used for as conversion.
The 40mm Hausser Elastolin plastic Landsknecht wagon is very similar in design to
DL 1010A, but much harder to come by.
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K.-H. Kieckers 01/2011
Kingmakers supplies yet an other large battle-wagon in 28mm suitable for a
conversion.
Michael Immigs conversion again is based on a model (DL 1030) by Privatoffizin Diez
Leopold and represents a transport- rather than a battle-wagon.
Sources:
Literature:
Der Name der Freiheit published by Werner Schäfke, Cologne 1988
Miniatures:
Historische Wagen und Geschütze Privatoffizin Diez Leopold, Steinfeldstr. 69, 3100
St.Pölten AUSTRIA
Mirliton (Italy) see www.mirliton.it
Hausser/Elastolin 40mm miniatures no longer available
Kingmakers available by 1st Corps see www.1stcorps.co.uk
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