For God and Ulster

Here are some older Royalist units from my VBCW in Northern Ireland. As they are admired by most people, when I put them on the tabletop, I thought to dedicate a post to them.

THE ORANGEMEN OF ULSTER!!!

The first unit of Orangemen Militia

Rather gentlemanly with swordsticks and top hats

A cricket fan making good use of his equipment

The Orange Order was founded in County Armagh in 1795, during a period of Protestant–Catholic sectarian conflict, as a Masonic-style brotherhood sworn to maintain the Protestant Ascendancy. It is headed by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, which was established in 1798. Its name is a tribute to the Dutch-born Protestant king William of Orange, who defeated the army of Catholic king James VII & II in the Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691).

The main function of the Orange Order is as conservative British unionist organisation with links to Ulster loyalism. Its members wear orange sashes and are referred to as Orangemen. The Order is best known for its yearly marches, the biggest of which are held on or around 12 July.

Da BIG Boss... you have to be quite wealthy to aquire a leading role on the Orange Order

The miniatures are several Victorian gentleman and Pulp's League of Ungentlemanly Warfare. The sashes are simply made of some sculpted Green Stuff and they were equipped with second hand-rifles (indeed, spare Martini-Henrys). 

Reverend Murray

They are accompanied by Reverend Murray, a militant Presbytterian preacher, who offers spiritual support, as well as some firepower from his trusted shotgun.

The Orange Order has been criticised for associating with loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), so here they are.

UVF miniatures by Reiver Castings

These Loyalist paramilitaries try to defend Ulster from Irish, Catholic influence in order to secure their Protestant state in the North and the Union with Great Britain. Except for their orange armbands, they were civilian clothes and attempt to lay ambushes for the Communists and IRA. 

These units form a combined small brigade or platoon (depending on the ruleset used) in defense of Ulster during the Very British Civil War. They already participated in the Battle of Crossmaglen and the failed attack on a factory district in Newry, held (and defended) by Workers' militia.