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Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: OB on 10 August 2021, 04:52:47 PM

Title: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: OB on 10 August 2021, 04:52:47 PM

I’m currently working on some Anglo-Danish Varangian Guards.  Shortly I will start on the shields.  They are detached and round and I could use transfers with ease.  I hesitate because a lot of the available motifs seem to be a bit pagan.

What I’m thinking is the Anglo-Danes were Christian refugees seeking employment from the Equal of the Apostles.  I’d have thought Christian motifs would be more appropriate or Imperial ones.

Any thoughts or advice gratefully received.

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: Atheling on 10 August 2021, 05:04:15 PM

This was posted up in the Swordpoint and Militus Mundi Facebook page.

It's about 20 years old now but shows the meticulous brushwork of Darren Harding in the days well before LBMS Transfers were available:
(https://scontent.flba3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/221930425_4256637844381867_977400832396133417_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-4&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=_8KbVzXEY2UAX-9YyFT&_nc_ht=scontent.flba3-1.fna&oh=bce29714ed9769de391d5265fbbbc6ba&oe=61370A3A)

EDIT: Well worth right clicking then opening in a new tab for a larger image OB :)

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: OB on 10 August 2021, 05:29:36 PM

That's very helpful, thanks.  Fine work there and the right impression created of a Christian unit too.   I need to put my thinking cap on.

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: Atheling on 10 August 2021, 06:55:23 PM

Quote from: OB on 10 August 2021, 05:29:36 PM

That's very helpful, thanks.  Fine work there and the right impression created of a Christian unit too.   I need to put my thinking cap on.

As mentioned above, they were painted by Darren Harding one of the Gripping Beast crew or as a great man once put it,  "the doyens of the Dark Ages", Duncan Macfarlane. RIP.

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: OB on 11 August 2021, 01:03:41 PM

Aye, poor Duncan.  He gave us an awful lot and left too early.  RIP indeed.

I've been looking at the size of the shields and the breadth of my skills.  This one is going to be a challenge but I think I see a way forward.  Some of them are kite shields and I think that gives me a way in.

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: Atheling on 11 August 2021, 02:10:20 PM

Quote from: OB on 11 August 2021, 01:03:41 PM

I've been looking at the size of the shields and the breadth of my skills.  This one is going to be a challenge but I think I see a way forward.  Some of them are kite shields and I think that gives me a way in.

Good luck with it all and please post up pics :)

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: OB on 11 August 2021, 03:06:12 PM

Thanks and I will.

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: OB on 19 August 2021, 01:03:07 PM

Here is the command stand for my Anglo-Danish Varangians in Byzantine service.

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: Atheling on 19 August 2021, 01:15:28 PM

Lovely work OB  :-*

Title: Re: Anglo-Danish Varangian shield motifs?
Post by: OB on 19 August 2021, 05:59:07 PM

That's much appreciated, thank you.  The full unit will follow in due course with a Pisan Crusader contingent alongside.