Couldn't end the year without finishing the guards of the White Lady with two additional models to reach my self-inflicted 12 objective.
The first guard is the Reiksguard captain model, converted by adding an ammunition pouch on the side, and replacing the plume by candles.
The second guard is an old Citadel reference, designed by one of the Perrys in the eighties, and that brought a welcome change to the usual Reiksguards.
The pair:
And the regiment:
As I said in a previous post, I needed a break after painting 10 knights in full armour.
I'm not sure how I'm going to use this miniature, but it was a fun project. Essentially an old Citadel cleric whose shield I filed down, and whose staff I extended... with a tombstone, decorated with chains and candles.
And yes, this thumb up is super weird 👍
Another pair of foot knights, including the death cryer.
I think I'm going to take a break before painting new Reiksguard models. However, I have found in my boxes two 80's references from the Citadel Knights of the Empire range that could join the regiment to reach my objective of 12 guards.
In the meantime, 10 elite fighters protecting the White Lady.
Let's go back to the full-plate guys.
I probably need to deepen the shadows on the two-handed sword. And of course paint the bases...
Still 3 guards to paint to complete the regiment!
Finally done. I still have a few ideas, but I need more time (and miniatures).
Back to the foot knights!
Another acolyte of the cult of the Mourners: the gravedigger. A classic Mordheim miniature, and a welcome change in the Warhammer Empire range.
Another fanatic meant to reinforce my regiment of mourners. Neither shovel nor pickaxe here, but a candlestick.
The original miniature is an old Citadel fighter holding a stick. I have simply replaced the hands holding a pole to support the chandelier of the AOS Scriptor Mortis model.
See you soon with a gravedigger 💀
Second batch of Reiksguard foot knights, including the standard bearer, a very basic conversion where the original pole was replaced by a plastic bit.
The banner is an adaptation of the motifs painted on the ceiling of Louise de Lorraine's bedroom at the Château de Chenonceau: feathers, thorns, and the crowned and intertwined initials of the tragic spouses.
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| source: https://loirelovers.fr/en/visit-chateau-chenonceau-castle |
First rank complete!
Something I've struggled with since the beginning of the White Lady project is how to transport the remains of Heinrich, Count of Schädelheim. If you remember the initial post in October 2023, there was an illustration from the Würzburg chronicle, by Lorenz Fries, depicting the old custom of bringing the heart of the deceased Würzburg bishops to the monastery of Ebrach in a glass vessel, in a cart lined with black cloth and pulled by four horses.
My initial plan was to convert an Empire war wagon, by adding a lower deck where the deceased count would be installed. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a coffin small enough to fit into that space. And running out of time, I have rather focused my efforts on the preparation of the rank & file troops for the OWAC.
My second move was to use the unreleased Marauder two-wheel cariole, transporting a casket or a jar with the heart of the count. This idea is not totally given up, but I stilll need to find the human or animal model pulling it.
I have also considered converting the EA16 Carroccio released by Perry Miniatures, based on an illustration depicting the funeral of King Richard II, in Richard Davey's book "A history of mourning" (1890).
Below, the original version of Jean Froissart (14th century).
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The plan was to merge the carroccio with a Heroquest sarcophagus. A lot of cutting, filing and modelling involved... Cough cough... In the end, I turned to the black coach model that I had initially bought for extra bits. On reflection, I realized that it could do the job with a few adjustments including a waxen effigy laying on the coffin... and of course living horses :)
The coach itself has received very few modifications, essentially removing or hiding all the vampire themed decorations. The upper part of the coachman comes from the Marauder Miniatures MM62 monk, the horses and the driver are Perry miniatures, from the WR29 wagon horse team, and finally, the effigy of the deceased count is the Citadel F5 paladin Cyril d'Estiff.
Not entirely convinced by the proportions of the monk. I'll see if I can fix it before starting the painting job.
First trio of guards, all equipped with sword and shield.
The armour pieces are painted using the usual colours: basecoat of VMC Dark Sea Blue and Mahogany Brown, then Formula P3 Greatcoat Grey, then VMC Light Grey, Sky Blue and white.
I have processed the weapons differently: first a mix of VMC Neutral Grey and Field Blue, highlighted with Light Grey, Sky Blue and white, and darkened with GW Gryph-Charger Grey then very thinned black.
For the shields, I have used the royal token of Louise de Lorraine as a starting point:
I wish I was more regular in painting the feathers... anyway. 3 knights done.
Just a boring mortar and its servants.
See you in September!
A welcome break in my black and white (and grey and brown) army, but I've struggled with the green skin, and painted this guy twice.
Second and final version:
and the first version:
Sadly, I'm unable to understand what didn't work with the first trial.
Anyway... Back to the White Lady!
