Hello to one and all ,
I received recently the latest from RP models run by a PF member Hugo Pereira , the release has been eagerly anticipated by all , coming in 2 scales a bust and the one we will look at here the 75mm Figure.
The release of the figure was announced her on the forum by Hugo :
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/harald-hardrada.94428/
Th release is the first in a new series from RP " Ancient World" with restyled box artwork .
This has been a particularly busy time for Hugo as his main military career called for his attention so it is impressive that this has been released ....and there are more to come!!!
Originally the idea was to have him holding a torch and after much input from many including members of Planet Figure this was changed to what you see here ....for me I was more than pleased to see that RP Models and Hugo continue to listen to idea's and suggestions and act upon them ...its something that I know Hugo is very keen on doing .
So a big pat on the back to RP and to everybody that commented here and on FB
Unusually for me I am doing the 75 scale first rather than the bust ...why because I was very intrigued about how the details RP are well known for look in this scale .....for the review I have both this and the bust in front of me to visually compare.
The sculpt depicts him whist besieging a town initially with no success ..he noticed small birds flying into the thatched roofs of the buildings so had the idea to attach fire to their legs and let them go ...it worked and he captured the city ...all because he saw these small birds nesting .
Harald wears the very best armour a a high ranking warrior, highly decorated and all showing off his status and leadership .
But who was this man ?
Harald Hardrada was the King of Norway for two decades in the middle of the eleventh century. He showed early signs of being a proficient military general and fought many battles during his lifetime. His death is considered as the end of the Viking Age and he is famous as the last great Viking.
1 He was not known as Harald Hardrada during his life
Harald Hardrada was born Harald Sigurdsson in Ringerike, Norway in 1015. He was given the title Hardrada after his death in stories. Hardrada roughly means ‘stern counsel‘ or ‘hard ruler‘. Harald’s father Sigurd Syr ruled the region of Ringerike.
2 Harald fought in the Battle of Stiklestad at the age of 15
In 1028 there was a revolt in Norway and Harald’s brother Olaf Haraldsson was forced into exile. Two years later Olaf returned to Norway to reclaim his throne and Harald took 600 men with him to help his half-brother. 15 year old Harald fought alongside Olaf against people loyal to Cnut the Great in the Battle of Stiklestad in July 1030. The brothers were defeated. Olaf died in battle and Harald was seriously wounded and had to flee. Despite the defeat Harald showed remarkable military talent during the battle.
3 He was the leader of the elite unit of the Byzantine Army
In mid 1030s Harald and his men moved to the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. They joined the elite unit of the Byzantine Army, the Varangian Guard. Soon Harald became the “leader over all the Varangians”. As commander of the army Harald fought in places as far apart as the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Sicily, the Holy Land and Constantinople. Due to his exploits Harald became a renowned military leader and was well respected.
4 He became the joint ruler of Norway along with Magnus in 1046
In 1045 Harald looked to reclaim the Norwegian throne that Olaf had died fighting for. Cnut the Great had turned his attentions to England; and Norway was being ruled by Olaf’s illegitimate son Magnus the Good. Sweyn Estridsson of Denmark had been defeated by Magnus and Harald joined forces with Sweyn against Magnus. However instead of war a compromise was made through which Harald and Magnus would jointly rule Norway and Harald would share half of his sizeable wealth with the bankrupt Magnus.
5 He was the sole ruler of Norway from 1047 till his death in 1066
In 1047, within a year of co-rule, Magnus died with no heir. He willed Harald to be king of Norway and Sweyn of Denmark. Harald was however not content and in the next two decades there was constant warfare between Harald and Sweyn over Denmark. Despite losing nearly every battle against Harald, Sweyn held on to Denmark. Fatigue and huge costs of these indecisive battles ultimately led to the two kings agreeing to unconditional peace in 1064. Harald remained king of Norway till his death in 1066.
6 He died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge
After the death of Edward the Confessor, the English throne passed to Harold Godwinson. Hardrada allied with Godwinson’s brother Tostig, who had been exiled by his brother. Together Hardrada and Tostig invaded England from the River Tees in September 1066. They met Harold Godwinson’s army in the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September. Godwinson’s forces hugely outnumbered theirs and both Harald Hardrada and Tostig died in the battle. Harald Hardrada’s death was caused by an arrow that struck his neck. He was buried at the Mary Church in Nidaros, Norway
7 Harald Hardrada is considered as the last great Viking
Although Harald was known to solve internal disputes by brute force, his reign of Norway was marked by peace and progress. His economic policies are considered good and he developed a Norwegian currency which allowed Norway to participate in international trade. He advanced Christianity in Norway, building and improving churches.
Books on the subject and on Vikings are available here are a few , all providing good details and information
Continued in next post
Nap
I received recently the latest from RP models run by a PF member Hugo Pereira , the release has been eagerly anticipated by all , coming in 2 scales a bust and the one we will look at here the 75mm Figure.
The release of the figure was announced her on the forum by Hugo :
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/harald-hardrada.94428/
Th release is the first in a new series from RP " Ancient World" with restyled box artwork .
This has been a particularly busy time for Hugo as his main military career called for his attention so it is impressive that this has been released ....and there are more to come!!!
Originally the idea was to have him holding a torch and after much input from many including members of Planet Figure this was changed to what you see here ....for me I was more than pleased to see that RP Models and Hugo continue to listen to idea's and suggestions and act upon them ...its something that I know Hugo is very keen on doing .
So a big pat on the back to RP and to everybody that commented here and on FB
Unusually for me I am doing the 75 scale first rather than the bust ...why because I was very intrigued about how the details RP are well known for look in this scale .....for the review I have both this and the bust in front of me to visually compare.
The sculpt depicts him whist besieging a town initially with no success ..he noticed small birds flying into the thatched roofs of the buildings so had the idea to attach fire to their legs and let them go ...it worked and he captured the city ...all because he saw these small birds nesting .
Harald wears the very best armour a a high ranking warrior, highly decorated and all showing off his status and leadership .
Harald Hardrada was the King of Norway for two decades in the middle of the eleventh century. He showed early signs of being a proficient military general and fought many battles during his lifetime. His death is considered as the end of the Viking Age and he is famous as the last great Viking.
1 He was not known as Harald Hardrada during his life
Harald Hardrada was born Harald Sigurdsson in Ringerike, Norway in 1015. He was given the title Hardrada after his death in stories. Hardrada roughly means ‘stern counsel‘ or ‘hard ruler‘. Harald’s father Sigurd Syr ruled the region of Ringerike.
2 Harald fought in the Battle of Stiklestad at the age of 15
In 1028 there was a revolt in Norway and Harald’s brother Olaf Haraldsson was forced into exile. Two years later Olaf returned to Norway to reclaim his throne and Harald took 600 men with him to help his half-brother. 15 year old Harald fought alongside Olaf against people loyal to Cnut the Great in the Battle of Stiklestad in July 1030. The brothers were defeated. Olaf died in battle and Harald was seriously wounded and had to flee. Despite the defeat Harald showed remarkable military talent during the battle.
3 He was the leader of the elite unit of the Byzantine Army
In mid 1030s Harald and his men moved to the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. They joined the elite unit of the Byzantine Army, the Varangian Guard. Soon Harald became the “leader over all the Varangians”. As commander of the army Harald fought in places as far apart as the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Sicily, the Holy Land and Constantinople. Due to his exploits Harald became a renowned military leader and was well respected.
4 He became the joint ruler of Norway along with Magnus in 1046
In 1045 Harald looked to reclaim the Norwegian throne that Olaf had died fighting for. Cnut the Great had turned his attentions to England; and Norway was being ruled by Olaf’s illegitimate son Magnus the Good. Sweyn Estridsson of Denmark had been defeated by Magnus and Harald joined forces with Sweyn against Magnus. However instead of war a compromise was made through which Harald and Magnus would jointly rule Norway and Harald would share half of his sizeable wealth with the bankrupt Magnus.
5 He was the sole ruler of Norway from 1047 till his death in 1066
In 1047, within a year of co-rule, Magnus died with no heir. He willed Harald to be king of Norway and Sweyn of Denmark. Harald was however not content and in the next two decades there was constant warfare between Harald and Sweyn over Denmark. Despite losing nearly every battle against Harald, Sweyn held on to Denmark. Fatigue and huge costs of these indecisive battles ultimately led to the two kings agreeing to unconditional peace in 1064. Harald remained king of Norway till his death in 1066.
6 He died at the Battle of Stamford Bridge
After the death of Edward the Confessor, the English throne passed to Harold Godwinson. Hardrada allied with Godwinson’s brother Tostig, who had been exiled by his brother. Together Hardrada and Tostig invaded England from the River Tees in September 1066. They met Harold Godwinson’s army in the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September. Godwinson’s forces hugely outnumbered theirs and both Harald Hardrada and Tostig died in the battle. Harald Hardrada’s death was caused by an arrow that struck his neck. He was buried at the Mary Church in Nidaros, Norway
7 Harald Hardrada is considered as the last great Viking
Although Harald was known to solve internal disputes by brute force, his reign of Norway was marked by peace and progress. His economic policies are considered good and he developed a Norwegian currency which allowed Norway to participate in international trade. He advanced Christianity in Norway, building and improving churches.
Books on the subject and on Vikings are available here are a few , all providing good details and information
Continued in next post
Nap
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