It was one of those moments, treasured if you like, when you come across an old picture whilst looking for something completely different. Gestir for Warhammer Ancient Battles. These must have been painted nigh on twenty years ago! They are all Colin Patten sculpts from Milliput(!) from very old moulds which managed to I pester Darren into getting Stuart to cast up for me.
These warriors were as the name suggests these were "guest warriors" in another lords hall. Down on their luck but willing to fight in exchange for the patronage of a new lord. They were more then a useful unit to have on the table in WAB as they could be armed with two hand weapons and were Light Infantry; quite a powerful combination in WAB as they could manoeuvre well over difficult terrain and were a handful in melee.
To quote the section from the Warhammer ancient Battles, Shieldwall Supplement in the Dogs of War section:
"It was common for impoverished lordless warriors to visit the halls of the Jarls and Kings (Kunnungr) of Scandinavia where they would be maintained as a sign of the lord's wealth and hospitality. Such warriors would have accompanied their host when he went on campaign, and they would keenly fight to show their respect for their lord's hospitality. Unfortunately, they would sometimes find themselves in the predicament of fighting against the warriors of a former host. The most famous of such "guest warriors" were the Icelandic adventurers who flocked to the courts of the Norwegian Kings in the 10th and 11th Centuries."
A real blast from the past!
For old timers they look excellent, nice find
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul. There are some pretty old sculpts in the Gestir. Not so much the Norse. I think they both stand up to scrutiny up to this day. :)
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