Russian Varangians Medieval Figures Mystery Figures, our very good friend Andrey Buslov has clued us in on a new set of figures showing up in Russia.
Russian Varangians Medieval Figures New Series
Note: both horses are rearing.
Russian Varangians Medieval Figures Comparisons
In my view and observation of poses and depiction of this awesome set in my like.
Set was made to represent the battle of Hasting and one figure to represent one scene of the previews battle at Stamford bridge between Saxons-Danes army of Harold and invading Viking army .
The pose mounted(Norman with mace) is clear a representation of Willian the conqueror of Normandy in the battle of Hasting portray in painting by various artist ,most looks Norman/DANNES and one Viking from Norway more likely .Other mounted poses should be Harold Godwinson or king Harold
So the set is made to represent battle of Hasting almost certain and one tall scale figure more likely to represent that lone stand at bridge during previews battle of Stanford Bridge
Set has 4 Normans included mounted William ,two foot Norman soldiers or dismounted Normans and one archer(with bow) William army had most archer and were generally Franck/French or Flemish mercenaries archer with medium size bow ,not long bow more likely .
The one Viking- tall figure with axe and sword looks to me is a representation of battle Stamford bridge single lone stand by Viking warrior against Danes /Saxons army .Some times referred as a berserker and a very tall warrior ,reason why was made in odd over scaled versus others .
https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/battle-stamford-bridge-vikings/
Harold’s army is represented with 2 Danes (royal housecarls ) that may represent the main body guard of king Harold ,who may be represented with mounted figure with red cloak.
NOTE- Danish axe used by figures could be a representation of that used by housecarl but not well made as such Axe would be with longer pole and blade not that large .
Looks like King Harold is loosely described as using a red cape-tunic-cloak with very alike Saxon helmet at battle in many art works and several posterior painting depict him with it ,It may be reason they did figure on horse with it .
See samples of red cloak on Harold in following links
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/harold-ii-or-harold-godwinson-c-mary-evans-picture-library.html
https://mylesdungan.com/2019/01/11/fake-histories2-11-1-2019-harold-of-wessex-was-killed-by-an-arrow-through-the-eye-at-the-battle-of-hastings/
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-battle-of-hastings-1820-francis-william-wilkin.html
About There various version of William with mace is the fact that William and his half brother Odo were represented in the battle with a long club -mace as shown in the Bayeus Tapestry made just few years after battle
Can be seen here in a section of tapestry shown here if scroll down inside this link
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/1066-and-the-norman-conquest/the-weaponry-of-1066/
It also represented in many painting made centuries after
by Fortunino Matania
https://bookpalace.com/acatalog/info_MataniaNorm.html
and by Tom Lovell
http://www.warfaremagazine.co.uk/articles/ON-THIS-DAY-THE-BATTLE-OF-HASTINGS/235
I think Erwin’s identification of the tall Viking as the man who held Stamford Bridge for a time is likely correct. The Viking could also stand in for King Harald Hardrada of Norway, the leader of the Vikings, and who was killed in the battle. He was known for his height.
I don’t know if this set is entirely based on Hastings. The Archer as well as the ax holder are wearing a Russian/East European helmet. Most of the figures are heavily clothed like Russian Knights and the figure holding the smaller ax with shield up, the shield is a later style not historically portrayed as being at Hastings but this style seen most commonly in Western Europe in the 11th and 12th, 13th Centuries and later by Russian Knights.
Helmets were very varied and not something universal, Viking been very sea rider dedicated could had any helmet they take from literally any body from Asia, ,N Africa , Spain- Saracen dominated ,Europe else .That is very free speculation to imagine by artist if like .The Vikings of “Harold ” side figures represent in not very correct way the Housecarl 2 poses as they are show with large axes(again not quite same used ) and dress as viking as that was they were .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housecarl
Also Viking and Saxon share massively many helmets alike with such parts as the grimr facial area cover .
It can be more deep red here in detail
http://thethegns.blogspot.com/2013/01/helmets.html
There not such thing as what exact helmet Viking used in one era as only one proved helmet of supposedly Viking origin ever found .
The long mail depicted Normans, as are exact as those depict in many historical sources as those on Bayeus Tapestry made few years after battle by artist ,and people who lived in the era .
The mounted Norman with mace is represented by both William and Odo with a style mace riding on horse in same tapestry link posted above .
I do not see any any Russian classical style heavily clothed figure “knight” By the way many Russian did dress similar as Norman style by 11-13 centuries as they adopt the same style very well known by then in all over Europe .Russian start changing and mixing blending after Mongol invasion’s their dress style with those of Asians .
Normans in time of 1066 used long and short tunic and long and short mail dress ,it is shown in tapestry and described in many books ,museums as well
https://world4.eu/norman-period/
That why most figures or Normans made by other makers such Replican, ACTA, Elastolin ,CONTE ,others depict them with same alike style armor and clothing .Even Biplant ,Publius Normans are depicted alike .Same happen with Conte Saxons been used as Viking and vise versa as they blend mix clothing /armor weapons very often .Emhart brand 1/32 Viking are depicted as more as Anglo Saxon than Viking ,yet can be used as Viking of course .
Anglo Saxon strongly were influenced by Vikings in England and Viking also copied from then as well .The shaving beard in many Saxon nobles was a fashion introduced in very late Saxon period and not very often followed unless by nobles during off campaign in generally .
After first crusades that was very heavy in Normans personnel and coming from France mainly ,the Easter Byzantine roman empire start got influenced as well and this in return transfer these fashion to Easter Rus small kingdoms who adopted the style as well mixing with others and heir own .
Again I base my post in what historical research shows ,if maker and artist was thinking in else ,then they got all mix up or not quite accurate of course .If artist want depict else x this set is up to them ,for me the set is very strong base in those ,also the fact that are only two mounted character more likely two leaders of opposing side ,one been definitely a classic Norman mounted pose very hard influenced from those painting made that I post above in link and as Viking rarely used cavalry but Harold is described as been mounted in battle by some accounts before been kill made me think of the battle depiction again.
Of course with simple imagination could be used as any x all these figures I bet as I will use Them x same or else ,but I stand for what the set looks like to me .
my thoughts
best
A nice set of figures from Russia once again, I like the scale of these figures, And the poses and its nice to see them painted which is quite rare these days. If i see a set of them i will buy them if the price is not to high, The only problem with many of the figures that come out of Russia is the price which is beyond the budget of many collectors like myself. Does anyone know roughly how much these figures are?
They are very cheap x been painted and well done. About 25.00 USD a set or a bit more .
Andrey from Russia should have more x sale soon .
his ebay store ID is plastic -soldiers
direct store link
https://www.ebay.com/usr/plastic-soldiers
here direct link :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/154354885926
Thanks for the information and link.