Pagan Rus Varjazi

 

Here are some Pagan Rus Varjazi or Varangians that I've just finished painting. The figures are the very detailed resin kits by V&V Miniatures. The banner and one of the shield transfers are by LBM/Victrix, the other three shield transfers are by Wargames Foundry. The figure in white clothes is Sviatoslav I Igorevich, Prince of Kiev (942-972), based on the Angus McBride's illustration in David Nicolle's Armies of Medieval Russia 750-1250 Osprey book. Sviatoslav had a short career as Prince of Kiev, I found this really interesting online article about him:

https://deremilitari.org/2014/05/the-infamous-svjatoslav-master-of-duplicity-in-war-and-peace/

Sviatoslav was eventually killed by the Pechenegs and their leader Kurja, apparently took his head and made his skull into a drinking cup overlaid with gold! I think Sviatoslav's Last Stand would make an excellent Lion Rampant scenario. I have more Rus Varangians and Pecheneg horse archers to paint but this should be an interesting little project.

Indian Elephant and Cavalry

 

Here's an Indian elephant and some cavalry that I've just finished painting. The ellie and crew are by V&V Miniatures, a very detailed resin kit, and the cavalry are by Newline Designs. We have a Mauryan versus Nandan Indian ADLG game organised for later this week and these figures are reinforcements for that game.