Medieval Herald (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Here, I am trying to model a medieval herald, using a modified Starlux horse and some historex/preiser parts. The figure was made to balance on the horse with a codpiece.

 

[blaster]

Starting to move on this piece. The horse mane was sculpted. The basic shape of the tabard was formed. I sculpted eyes on the Historex head, hair and hat, and thickend the thighs and added boots. Arm positions were created with wire inserts.

 

[blaster]

I have decided to model the herald for the Lord of Gruthuyse(e), a Flemish noble. A picture in my book "Heraldry"" has a caption identifying the Lord of Gruthuyse herald as wearing a tabard with his coat of arms (black cross on gold field, crossed with a gold saltire cross on red field) and is active in tournament jousting.



I believe that the noble is Louis de Gruuthuse, who has the same coat of arms, and is very successful in tournament jousting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_de_Gruuthuse.

I sculpted the outlines of the tabard over the formed arms. Notice that I create a very basic armatureto capture the pose and anatomy, and then improve on the details later.

 

[Ivanhoe]

I have decided to model the herald for the Lord of Gruthuyse(e), a Flemish noble. A picture in my book "Heraldry"" has a caption identifying the Lord of Gruthuyse herald as wearing a tabard with his coat of arms (black cross on gold field, crossed with a gold saltire cross on red field) and is active in tournament jousting.


I believe that the noble is Louis de Gruuthuse, who has the same coat of arms, and is very successful in tournament jousting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_de_Gruuthuse.

I sculpted the outlines of the tabard over the formed arms. Notice that I create a very basic armatureto capture the pose and anatomy, and then improve on the details later.

Great work !

Thank you for the link...always interesting to learn about these people.

 

[blaster]

Hi Matt,

glad you liked the background info as well. I always find these nuggets of niche details very inspiring for embarking on a project.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

I sculpted the fur on the boots and sleeves. Notice that the front tabard is also completed.

 

[Mirof]

Will you represent him with the arms of his familly ( paternal ) like on the picture you show
or with the arms granted him by the King of England

And he is one of The Golden Fleece .

 

[blaster]

Hello Mirof,

I don't have immediate plans to do a figure of Louis de Gruuthuse himself. I do have plans to do another herald after this piece.

I'll be representing the Gruuthuse herald as per the picture. This seems to be a very colourful coat of arms. I may change the details of the horse harness.
Pity I don't have his specific name.

I thickened the thighs and added a solid seat for the herald.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

On the tabard, I note that there are 2 large panels for chest and back, and two smaller shoulder panels. Heralds would wear this tabard as such, but pursuivants (assistant herlads) would turn this sideways, hence the smaller panels would be worn front and back and the large panels would be on the shoulders. Logically, the tabard (generally speaking) would not be sewn along the side seams, allowing for this flexible dress custom.

Based on laid-out tabard costumes, the larger panels were not rectangular in shape, but flared out. The shoulder panels appear to be either rectangular or cut with a curved bottom layer. I prefer to depict mine with rectangular shapes.

Hence, I've decided to resculpt the tabard based on this understanding.

 

[blaster]

For this round of sculpting, I've saved the best for last.

After scrapping off the tabard, I added putty shapes cut out to simulate the four panels. The timing has to be right. the putty can be worked upon once it has lost most of its stickiness but still remain malleable to form the folds. This was done in several phases.

 

[blaster]

Given that I've created a jaunty figure with his tabard swirling around, I decided to also switch horses. I selected a trotting horse from my grey stables. The horse head was modified and I repaired the horse, resculpted some areas and added a mane and fetlocks.

 

[blaster]

A tail was added.

I added some basic colours to this figure and I still have to add the saddle and harnessing but it promises to be a most colourful and exciting piece!

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

I am pleased to inform you that this figure was featured in issue 84 of Toy Soldier Collector.

Rgds Victor

 

[Go for Broke]

I just got that issue in the mail today and saw the article. Congratulations. Looks great.

 

[blaster]

Thanks for your comments. My research suggested that the Gruuthuse clan were rather prominent at these tournaments.

 

[Markster]

Great Job !

 

[blaster]

Hello Markster,

thanks for your comments.

I have just received my copy and I noticed another article in the same issue which is excellent featuring a large diorama by Geoff Barnes. I am in great company...

Rgds Victor