Hi guys,

Coming back from MIA (busy closing year end projects)... here's my next figure review - Verlinden 120mm figure kit #1532, title "German Knight Ca.1350".


INFORMATION: - The 14th Century Knight

With the rise of the knight it was necessary for society to create a code by which they could adhere to. They lived in a violent world and their job involved being good at fighting. The code of contact of these men became known as ‘chivalry’ after the French word for horseman chevalier. The basic aspects of chivalry included: generosity or largesse, compassion, courtliness or courtoisie, as well as honour, loyalty and prowess, and a duty to protect the weak from oppression.

The armour a knight wore not only serve to give the him the protection he needed in his violent occupation it would also serve to display his status as part of the military elite and also as an indication of his wealth. Armour developed over the years as new more damaging weapons appeared. Chain mail offered reasonably good protection (throughout the crusader occupation of the Holy Land between 1099 and 1291 chain mail predominated amongst the knights) and was the warrior’s second skin for centuries until improvements in armour-making made it possible for knights to wear plate armour in the 14th century. Chain mail could not stop a direct hit from an arrow but there’s evidence to suggest that good plate armour could.

It took until the early 14th century for plate to truly emerge in the form of plate cuisses on the thighs and greaves on the shins. This period saw the combination of mail with plate and must have been very heavy for the knight to wear. The mail hauberk was still worn but became shorter and was called a habergeon. Metal gauntlets were also worn with bell-shaped cuffs and winged couters at the elbow. The bascinet made its first appearance, which was a light helm with a pointed top and at the end of the 14th century it was fitted with a pig-faced visor. Since the 13th century the shield was becoming smaller and became the heater-shield because it was shaped like an iron.


THE KIT:


The figure is wearing a typical 14th century armour which is copy from the statue decorating the tombstone of Count Otto von Orlamunde (Germany) that dates from that period.

Wearing pointed bascinet (helmet) without visor, short chain-mail suit, plated cuirass cover with leather, gauntlets, greaves, ... etc. Stand straight raising his sword with his right hand, and shield slung on his back. All weapons and shield are attach with chains which ends up on the cuirass (chest armour).

As far as the 14th century is concerned, either one believes that heraldry was restricted to the knightly class, or else one has to admit that there were no such restriction. So I will search for a nice heraldry on the net and paint it on the shield... but I'll keep the heraldry off the body armour and focus on painting the leather texture and rivets on the body armour.

The sculpting of this figure is sharp. Especialy the chain mail and the detail of the body armour.





Parts consist of (with casting blocks):
- 1 Upper torso with head attached
- 2 arms, with short sleeve mail
- 2 gauntlets with bell-shaped cuffs (one holding the sword's handle)
- Sword and it's scabbard (separated)
- 1 dagger
- 1 shield
- 2 pcs ailettes (small shoulder plate)
- Beer mug (don't know what's this for??)
- small chains
- 1 base

Personaly I don't quite like the pose, it's too "stiff" and not natural. Initial idea is to perform minor conversion on the legs to shows more natural stand, lower the right arm holding the sword and put the shield on the left hand. Lastly maybe scratchbuild a visor lift up position on the helmet.

Enjoy and comment pls.


Regards,
CPTan

Alright CP! Thanks for the rescue. I was behind in my figure review for this month since suffering from my longest modeling slump todate. Its great to have you back.

I was also curious what else you had in your bag of goodies. Very well written and detailed review. Yes, its a pity the pose is too stiff and at 120 mm its even more apparent. If I'm not mistaken this must be one of their older kits. I've never seen the 2 chain attachment on the chest before, does seem rather odd. As you say the chain links are fairly well done and like you I'm also wondering why a beer tankard.

Here are some links to heraldry if you're interested.

English heraldry
Nice coat of arms site
Another interesting heraldry site
Coat of arms with some background

Here's one that is not directly related as they are on German (Teutonic) knights from the crusades.
Chronology of Teutonic knights

Many thanks for a very detailed & interesting review.

Sorry for the AWOL... heheh.

About the feature of weapons and accessories with chains attachment to the chest plate... It's quite common German armour on that period, which later also adopt by the some of the english and europeon.

According to some sources indicate that one of the functon of these chain is for the knight to gain easy "access" of the fallen weapon (eg. sword and dagger). Some chain also attach to their shield so the knight may slung them on their back when not in use, quite a fancy way to replace the strap (which I thnk not practicle). Some also shows that chain attach to the knight's characteristic flat-topped helmet (barrel helm) which also slung to their back when not n use...

Anyway, I still doubt one maybe caught tangle himself with these chains flying around when in real combat...


CPTan
PS. I'm still waiting for my price winning white metal SEIL figure :-(

Interesting design. I suppose its a bit like attaching a lanyard to a revolver which is what the British had in WW II. Personally I'd think it would get in the way on how the sword would be used as European swordplay involves a lot of wrist action.

You may need to PM Costas for to check when he has sent it CP. He can be quite busy as he's heavily involved in writing modeling articles, commission work, modeling club activities besides his work. Could also be its stuck in customs.

Thanks again for the review.