The tragic death of a Renaissance dwarf… - calling White Knight!

[traveller]

His father, Arvid Birgersson Trolle, was born in the middle of the 1430s. He was a mighty nobleman and knight, owner of more than 1500 farms in Sweden and Denmark. When he passed away in 1505, he had outlived three wifes and fathered 14 children. The most unfortunate of all these children was Little Arvid, who was born in the third marriage sometime around year 1500. Little Arvid was born a dwarf, hence his nickname “Little”. Considered a cripple, due to his small stature, he only got half the heritage (same as a woman) when his father passed away. His father being a rich man, this still meant that Arvid became a wealthy man when he received the title to the manor of Ed. He would though not enjoy his new property for long. We do not know much about Little Arvid´s life but it is recorded that he met a violent death in 1542. One of the most serious rebellions in Swedish history started that year. The peasant leader Nils Dacke raised an army to throw off the tax burdens that the Swedish King Gustav Vasa had put on the country. During more than one year Dacke controlled a big part of the south of Sweden and fought off the Kings Landsknecht mercenaries. Beside the peasant army of Dacke there were also bands of brigands roaming the countryside, burning, killing and looting. Unfortunately for Little Arvid, such a band operated close to the Ed manor. In August 9, 1542, Little Arvid sat down at his table in the manorhouse to have dinner when the brigand Nils Bagge, together with six men stormed the house, shot poor Little Arvid and looted the manor.

It is not much of a story but I find Little Arvid`s fate touching. It is not often a “real” dwarf is mentioned in history. After seeing White Knight´s Renaissance dwarves I found it fascinating to encounter one from reality. We do not know in detail how Little Arvid met his maker. But I imagine him hearing the screams from downstairs, rising from the table, sword in one hand and dagger in the other, bravely facing the intruders coming through the door. At least that is the way I plan to have him in a small diorama. So White Knight, do you have any model suitable for Little Arvid available for purchase?

[von Lucky]

It is touching... thinking now of adding a dwarf to a historical army to respresent men like him.

[white knight]

Hmmm. There are no models with two handweapons currently in the range, though the core infantry champion's pose might lend itself well enough to adding a dagger to his left hand. Note his head is separate so could be swapped for another one from the range if deemed inappropriate.

[traveller]

WK,

He looks great! I will PM you.

Thanks!