The Thistle and Rose

15mm Medieval Figures

reviewed by Rod Burr

The Thistle and Rose had a slew of new and redone releases available at the HMGS Cold Wars convention covering the gamut from the barbarians opposing expansion of Roman power in the West into the Middle Ages. This review will cover the Dark Age and Medieval items. The redone figures include the sets "Landwaster: Harald Hadradi's command" forthe Vikings and "Wooden Rain: 20 light infantry with bow" for the Early Germans. The Viking command set which includes a Harald standing over a corpse, a kneeling captive and a standard bearer with "Landwaster", is a substantial improvement over the sculpting in the original Viking release where many of the figures had the proportions of dwarves. The two sets of Viking heavy infantry, "Hirdsmen" and "Boar's Snout", have been withdrawn to be redone. The three new sets of Medieval Lithuanians (mounted javelinmen, mounted archers, and foot archers) are a welcome addition to the limited number of figures for this nationality.

The mounted and foot archers received for review are all well done, especially the horse archers. The set of these includes both one and two piece castings of horse and rider. The two piece poses will avoid the two dimensional appearance that units of strictly one piece cavalry castings frequently show. Roughly contemporary with the Lithuanians, is the new line of Early Poles and Slavs. The figures from this range reviewed include foot archers that would mix easily with the Lithuanian figures of the same type and a Slavic wooden idol with two bearers. The idol is nicely detailed and should be fun to paint. Potential opponents (or allies) for the Lithuanians and other "infidels" are several new sets of crusader figures including personality sets for " 'GEODFREY' leader of the first crusade", and "'COUER de LION' Richard, King of England". The three sets sent for review were " 'GOD'S WILL' 12 mounted knights", " 'CHRIST'S SPEAR' 24 spearmen" and " 'THE WICKED ARBALEST' 24 crossbowmen".

All of these figures are equipped appropriately for the period of the Third and Fourth Crusades. The firing crossbowmen pose, of the two included, suffers from having the crossbow positioned vertically, presumably for ease of casting. While the bow can be twisted horizonally, this leaves a twist in the stock. The mounted knights are nicely done and include 6 different horse poses! All of the sets include multiple poses of figures. Besides this, there are different shield patterns inscribed or molded on individual figures with the same pose.

Another set of new releases are more Scots/Irish. Judging by the heavy cavalry received for review these are intended for the later part of the period covered by the WRG Book II list, contemporaneous with the Vikings and Normans rather than the early raids on Roman Britain. The heavy cavalry riders have variations in equipment and armor, but are all in the same basic pose, unlike many other of The Thistle and Rose sets. Two different mounts are provided, one of which is a delightful barrel chested pony/small horse.

Also received were samples of the redone mounted Normans and of many of the figures from the previously released medieval Scottish period. The Normans are now up to the standards of the rest of the company's releases, and the later Scots include a delightful variety of figures, including the two now infamous infantry, one presenting a single digit salute to the enemy and the second "mooning" them. Two additional sets useful for many nationalities are " 'THE REAVERS' 12 mounted western infantry" and " 'THE SAVAGE SCOTTIE' 4 DOGS". The set of mounted infantry includes 6 different poses of rider and 2 different horses. The riders and horses are all well equipped and loaded down as if returning from a successful campaign (or well provisioned at the outset of one). The Scottie set includes two large and two small dogs. One of the latter is shown ripping out the throat of an opponent in order to quell any rumours about the lovableness of the Scotties.

All of The Thistle and Rose figures are slightly larger than true 15mm, and mix well with Essex and Minifigs 15s for size. The figures did show some flash and, for some of the figures cast to hold separate wire spears and lances, the hands did not appear to be fully cast. the lead alloy used appears to be very pliable, so the figures can be easily repositioned. The Thistle and Rose figures are available from 3079 Bridgeton Court, Woodbridge, Virginia 22192. The normal price is $7.20 for 24 foot or 12 mounted figures.

Reviewing Stand

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