Several months ago Gripping Beast released their exciting new "El Cid" 25 mm figure line. The period of El Cid is one of my favorite wargaming periods. Since I am currently building arnides for this period and I was familiar with some of Gripping Beast's earlier releases I took the plunge and ordered the entire line. I was not dissapointed! The Gripping Beast figures are of the highest quality and are designed specifically for the forces that battled for control of the Iberian Peninsula in the late eleventh-century. Currently there are 15 figure packs available for the Moorish forces and six for the Christian forces. Most of these packs contain four figures although the drummer pack contains two figures and leaders and mounted figures are sold individually.

The quality of these figures is superb. They have excellent facial expressions, great variety of poses, and the level of sculpted detail is truly remarkable. No flash to speak of! These figures are very large twenty-five mm. In fact approaching thirty mm from the soles of the feet to the eyes! They are indeed somewhat taller and heftier than Old Glory figures which are themselves large "twenty-fives." But they mix well with them giving the appearance of people of slightly different build. (More on that in a future article.) They are also very sturdy figures made with an alloy which seems to include a generous amount of lead. The quality of the painted figures may be judged by the pictures in the beautiful full-color ad which appears in Wargames Illustrated of September 1997. (This, by the way serves as an excellent painting guide.) The sculptor -who is this master?- has rendered El Cid as a mature warrior at the height of his powers. He rides a spirited Arabian stallion -Bavieca- and is shown issuing commands with his right arm raised brandishing a wicked-looking sword which gradually widens towards the tip and suddenly tapers to a sharp point. He wears a cape fastened with a round brooch, a Moorish sash, and a simple conical helment without a nasal (perhaps to better reveal his presence to foe and friend alike). He is protected by a short-sleeved coat of mail and his legs are also covered in mail but he remains shieldless in truly heroic fashion. He sports a full beard 21a barva vellida" of the Poema de Mio Cid -all in all a noble figure full of character. The Cid's worthy opponent -the Almoravid leader- Yusuf ibn Tashufin (called Ben Yusef in Gripping Beast's catalog) is a foot figure. He is shown standing in a flowing cape with a slightly curved sheathed "alfange" sword hanging from a baldric.

His expression is one of serene determination. Another dramtic "command" figure is the Muslim immam. He is shown raising both arms to heaven with the hands open in supplication and a veiled face. (Good painters can attempt to show the fierce fanaticism in the immam's eyes.)

Next to pass in review are the drummers. One of them wears a turban and is shown beating a small two-headed drum with drumsticks, the other, with his face veiled, plays upon an elongated conga-like drum with his hands -the darbukka. The "Moors" -a generic term for Muslim akin to Sarracen- come in four flavors: Andalusians, Berbers, and "Nubians." (These Nubians are more properly Senegalese troops recruited from the southern reaches of the Almoravid empire.) There are also two packs of Yusufs elite Black Guard. All the packs contain a variety of poses within a general overall posture. For example pack MOR 7 "Andalusian spearmen standing" contains four turbaned spearmen, each in a distinctive pose. One of them is equipped with an almond-shaped shield protecting his body as he leans forward. His right hand is open to accept a spear carried upright and his face is veiled. Another figure rests his figure-eight shaped shield on the ground. A third figure is similar to the first but carries a medium size round shield and has his bearded face uncovered. The fourth figure has a simple almond shaped shield, a bearded face and his hand is ready to hold a lance thrusting forward. The variations give a nice variety but at the same time they feel like a unit. The Andalusians should be painted in bright colors and rich fabrics with much ornamentation. The African Berbers and the Black Nubian s/Senegalese mostly in undyed clothing in off-white, cream, grey and some tan. Shields should be painted mostly in natural cured leather shades except for the richer Andalusian warriors. (Again refer to the ad in Wargames for a painting reference.) Some warriors may carry elongated crocodile skin shields!

Others sport an interesting light quilted armor.

The Spanish troops include armored and unarmored infantry, archers, and skirmishers. Again, each pack contains a variety of poses, costume, and equipmdnt. There are also three mounted knights sold separately. One of them in a couched lance pose, another th~usting overhand and the third with the lance in upright position. (The lances must be glued to the figure.) All three knights are armed with conical helment, mail hauberk, and kite shield. In addition many other suitable figures may be obtained from Gripping Beast's Norman range.

All in all Gripping Beast's "El Cid" line is a wonderful addition to any wargamer's collection. If you are interested in the Dark Ages or the Crusades this line is a must. If you -like me- specialize in the period of "El Cid" place an order now! Gripping Beast, promises to release more figures for this line including Moorish cavalry. I can hardly wait!