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Review of Crusader Miniatures
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28mm Dark Age Norman figures
These figures are described as Normans, but can be used for most armies in Western Europe from the mid-tenth century until the mid-eleventh. They are also entirely suitable as Crusaders.
The figures are quite stocky, sturdy-looking men. They are generally nicely-modelled and cleanly cast with a minimum of flash. I have slight reservations about the proportions of two of the spearmen where the right forearm is rather short. The mail armour is well represented and the detail is clear, making them attractive to paint. The spear-armed figures have open hands to take wire spears. The figures come with separate kite shields, of which I have seen three types, one plain with a simple boss, a similar shield with the addition of a rim and a more elaborate rimmed shield with six studs around the boss.
The figures I have seen are :
Dismounted knight, from the Infantry command pack.
This figure is heavily armoured with a knee-length hauberk with integral coif, mail chausses and a helmet with rim, nasal and a single comb-ridge. He is advancing, leaning forward with his weight on his left leg, body and head turned to the right. He is shouting to his men, pointing the way forward with his sword. Part of the weight of his shield is taken by a strap over his right shoulder.
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Dismounted knights with axes.
I have seen two of these. The first is in a knee-length hauberk with coif over a tunic, with a spangenhelm with nasal on his head. He grips a Danish axe with both hands at 45 degrees over his right shoulder and advances on the enemy with a grim expression on his face. His shield is slung over his shoulder on a strap.
His companion wears a more complete hauberk, covering him to his knees and wrists and the simpler helmet with a single comb-ridge. His legs have cross-gartered leggings. He holds his axe in both hands, slightly more upright than his companion. He leans forward behind his shield, carried on his left arm.
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Crossbowman
This figure is wearing a short hip-length hauberk over a tunic and a cloth hood under a simple helmet with nasal. He is advancing, holding his crossbow at waist height, leaning forward. He has a sword on a waist-belt which also carries his bag of bolts on his right hip.
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Armoured spearman
He has a hip-length hauberk over a tunic, with the cloth hood and helmet like the crossbowman. He has cross-gartered leggings. He holds his shield close to his left side, supported by a strap over his right shoulder. He carries his spear horizontally in an overarm grip. His waist-belt supports his sword on his left and a small pouch on his right hip.
Unarmoured spearmen
The first has a tunic, cloth coif and spangenhelm, with cross-gartered leggings. A sword hangs from his waist-belt. He stands with his weight on his left leg, his shield held close in front of him. He is thrusting his spear with an under-arm grip at waist height.
The second is similarly dressed, with a simpler helmet. He is running forward with his feet close together. He holds his spear horizontally at chest height. This is a slightly odd pose, and to achieve it the designer has had to make the figure's right forearm very short. This is the figure I like least of the ones I have seen.
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Mounted figures
I have seen two of these. The saddle-cloth and saddle are cast integrally with the figure, and are a good fit on the horse with a minimal gap. The figures ride with straight legs, appropriately for western milites. The horses have breast-straps to help absorb the shock of impact.
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The first figure has a knee-length hauberk with integral mail coif and a simple helmet with nasal. His shield is supported by a strap over his right shoulder. He has his lance couched and his head is turned slightly to the right.
The second figure is from the mounted command set. His armour and equipment is similar to the first figure and he brandishes his sword in the air while looking slightly to the left.
Steve Sykes
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