Wednesday 29 November 2023

Another 54mm figure - Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales

 

Owain Glyndwr (or Owen Glendower, or Owyn Glyndwr) lived between the 14th and 15th centuries and was a Welsh nobleman who revolted against the English and succeeded in ending their rule in Wales. In 1405 he proclaimed an independent Welsh state which lasted a full five years (!) before the English under Henry IV invaded and reconquered Wales once again. Henry V later twice offered Glyndwr a pardon but was rebuffed on both occasions.  Glyndwr, who had in the meantime adopted guerilla tactics against the English,  disappears from the radar around 1415 and his ultimate fate seems to be a bit of a mystery as no further information about him is known after that date. It can be said that Owain Glyndwr was the only Welsh Prince of Wales and no other Welshman matched his political and military achievements. My grasp of Welsh history is limited so feel free to put me in the pillory if I have strayed 😄

Pegaso have produced an excellently-sculpted figure of a mounted Glyndwr in 54mm.  The mount is draped in a caparison bearing Glyndwr's heraldic coat of arms of four rampant lions as well as a dragon, that eternal symbol of Wales. Owain's shield bears the rampant lions as well while the dragon is reproduced on his tabard. It is quite an intricate figure to paint and I was apprehensive that I would not be able to do it justice but I have to say that I am happy with the final result. The figure took just short of three months to finish and is entirely in acrylics except for the armour which is airbrushed Vallejo Liquid Silver and lined in Tamiya Panel Liner. Ink is also used in places.

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