The (red) Bishop...

[Calvin]

The inspiration for this conversion comes from the Mike Blank's Lake Peipus diorama (take a look here). For the figure, I took a(nother) nice Mike Blank's sculpture, the Spanish Knight (54 mm) from Elite.

This is the figure as it comes from the box.

On the left the original (from Elite), on the right the accessories (from Pegaso).

First, the original head has been cutted off (without damaging it...) and replaced with Pegaso's helm.

The helm with the tiara used by Mike Blank (if I understand correctly) comes from a commercial piece, but I can't find it, so I've decided to make a new one. Modelling the bishop's Tiara is not as easy as it seems, it's almost impossible to do it in only one step, so I've started drawing the basic shape on a lead foil. When done with the adjustments, the shape has been passed on a thin sheet of plasticard, and moulded under a bulb lamp (using some water to cool down the pieces speeds up the process).

The first attempt with the scarf (using milliput) was really awful, so I decided to redo it (with magic sculpt).

There is a good sentence I read some time ago on this site, posted by John A. Wlas, "If the Medium does not fight you....it is not Art". Seeing the pictures now, it seems really easy, but for me it was really hard. I spend one day thinking on how to do it. Sculpting from zero is almost impossible for me, while doing it directly with the plasticard was a nightmare, until the most basic idea appears from the void, a simple shape from foil... (sometimes a bit of zen thinking is really helpful...).

Here some view of the figure.

 

[Guayo]

Hi Luca, once again like your work, Mike Blanks Bishop is from Soldiers, is going to be the same bishop or are you thinking in changing the colors?

Just would like to add that the weapon of choice of the Mediaval Bishops was the mace, they were forbidden to spill christian blood(only in theory), some warrior bishops used blunt clubbing weapons like the mace to circumvent this prohibition, but if not one was sawing then may be a Axe can help convert the pagans :lol:

Thanks luca your SBS help loose my fear of converting a figure.

Eduardo

 

[Calvin]

Ahhhrg!!! I've just moulded the belt and added the sword...
Thanks for your info, I'll remove it. Yes I'm thinking about red, do you know if there is some other colour that can be used ?

 

[Guayo]

Hi Luca, There is nothing wrong with red my friend, but you can try some other liturgical colors(purple,yellow,red,white,green), one more thing the bishops only use Mitre, the mitre is the "hat" that the bishops and archbishops wear during a service and all other solemn functions.(mass etc..) The bishop will usually remove the mitre at certain points during the service, for example, during the prayers. The mitre is shield-shaped and often has a design on the front. Hanging down from the back of the mitre are two fringed lappets. There has been no evidence of the mitre being around before the 11th century. The shield shape of the mitre also represents the flames of the Holy Spirit.

Here is a example of how elaborate were the designs of some Mitres

This is from the 1400 with a Annuciation scene, this one is not for battle and is from latter period but you can get some ideas.

This is a modern design with the two fringed lappets but I don't know if they were use it in Battle with the helm

Another thing that you can do is go to Mass on your local church and may be you get some ideas jajajaja :lol: Happy to help you in any way but remember you are who really is helping US with your SBS.

Thanks Luca for sharing your ideas and work.
Eduardo.

 

[megroot]

Luca,

i gonna follow this closely. someday i will do a conversion to, and this SBS is so much inspiring.
Just as Eduardo i am loosing my fear for a conversion.

Marc

 

[Calvin]

Eduardo, mi querido amigo, te quiero matar !!!
¿ Porque no me dijiste antes que tenias tantas informaciones, es que no saves leer mis pensamientos y averiguar lo que voy a hacer ? :lol:

It's true, I always confuse between Tiara and Mitra. I found the following about the Mitra:

(nice painting on the garment, eh?)

Also I'll add a crucifix, like the following:

and a scarf, like this (don't know its exact name):

Well, some more info I must know before remodelling the whole figure...!?! Now seriously, I really appreciate your contribution and all the info you post, you know, if you have more, I'll be very glad.

 

[Calvin]

Just as Eduardo i am loosing my fear for a conversion

Yes, I know Marc..., I'm just feeling a psycho transfert on me, getting all the fear because now I really dont know how to finish it...!?! :lol:

 

[Toadlet]

Dear Luca,

Nice conversion idea. I like the way you did the mitra.
I am not sure if it is correct to add lithurgical insignias. IMO it looks improbable to mix liturgy with fight.
In fight bishops (and abbots) stood as feudal owners, not as priests. Having a part of land, they were obligued to defend it and to serve with troops on feudal suzerein (eg. King) call. In medieval It was commonly understood as secular duty and often they sent "substitute" commanders to their troops. Not trained to fight, usually bishop had to do it because of possesion of lands.
IMO in fight bishop had only mitra on helmet as sign of social status and command, additionally cross on breast. Never the stole ("long scarf") - it is insignia of priesthood worn only in liturgy and sacraments.
Up to XII century only white color was used in liturgy. Final five colors were estabilished in XIV century, but I do not suggest use them in fighting clothing. Color is important symbol of particular days/holidays service, different in Advent, different in Easter etc. Most accurate would be heraldry of bishop or his land/dioecesion on tunic and shield. There would be portraits of saints or cross on mitra. For mitra I guess white color.
Important is that Church developed symbols, fashion and theology in 2000 year history. So many modern symbols would be unclear or unknown to medievals. For example very common now picture of Christ with white and red light coming from heart was introduced by St. Faustyna in XX century (I have seen one painted by modeler on Pavese). I suggest to copy any medieval original, not modern one. It will help you avoid mistake.
Finally I am not expert on medieval Church, I am just thinking. Many info on Church history you find in Catholic Encyclopedia: http://www.newadvent.org
I hope it will help you.

Wojtek

 

[Calvin]

Hi Wojtek,
what a reply, this is the kind of info I was looking for.

it looks improbable to mix liturgy with fight

This kind of (paradoxical?) mix is what intrigue me, a warrior bishop seems a clear contradiction (ontological speaking, because our history just demonstrates the opposite...)

So many modern symbols would be unclear or unknown to medievals

Yes, I agree. In Italy there is a lot of ancient churchs with original painting. Even remembering the lessons of history of art, for a modern and not accustomed viewer, the medieval style and symbology is very cryptic and different from the current view.

Most accurate would be heraldry of bishop or his land/dioecesion on tunic and shield. There would be portraits of saints or cross on mitra. For mitra I guess white color.

I was thinking to paint only a small cross on the breast, and to reproduce the following heraldry on the shield (the same on all the examples I see from the soldiers catalogue, Mike Blank, Luca Olivieri, Angelo Amorese, etc.)

I think that it could be a realistic version, the key symbolizing the kingdom of the pope/the church and a sword for the fighting 'season'. Do you know if there is possible to use a different symbols ? I was looking on the web about bishop warriors, but really poor info.

 

[Toadlet]

Hello Luca,

Insignia on bishop figure shield is heraldry of Hermann von Buxhoeveden, Bishop of Tartu 1224-1248. He was a leader of crusade against Novogrod repulsed in Peipus Battle in 1242.

Keys are usual insignia of St Peter, who has got keys to Kingdom of Heaven. And after that insignia of his successor - Papacy. Sword is common insignia of St. Paul that was Roman Citizen, so was not crucified but beheaded by sword.
Key and sword is a part of todays heraldry of city Tartu. Maybe any Estonian member can explain it more.

Teutonic Treasurer has asingle key:

By the way bishoprics in Teutonic Lands are:

Sambia:

Pomezania:
Eagle symbolizes St John Evangelist, tekst is "st iohannes".

Warmia:

Pictures are from "Banderiia Prutenorum" - "Prusian Banners" by Jan Dlugosz. Some names and details in description are mistaken, but they were drawn from banners taken by Poles in Grunwald Battle in 1410.

Wojtek

 

[Guayo]

Come on Luca, don't worry about my comments you don't have to change your original project¡¡¡¡ (Solo son ideas) The ideas of Wojtek are much better, why not look for a particular bishop¡¡¡¡¡ Happy to help you but wouldn't like to see change your original project.

Another idea could be the famous Bishop of Durham Anthony Bek, this is the arms of this warrior bishop, he also use red and may be is more easy to find information about it,

There are many Italian Warrior bishops so may be is easy for you to find some information like Guglielmino degli Ubertini or Ottone Visconti.

Eduardo.

 

[Calvin]

Wojtek, what a beautiful pictures, where have you found this book ? Really interesting infos too, I feel the bishop fever coming on... By the way, intrigued by your replies, I started looking for on the web, and the following is a sample bishop's coat of arms I found.

For what I read, it seems that the most generic bishop's coat of arms is formed by the pastoral stick (it's the right name?), the mitra and the sword, where it applies.

(another 'modern' example)

I suppose that when you refers to the Tartu's coat of arms, it's to somethings like this. I wonder if it could be correct to paint the castle on the shield.

Eduardo, your info are really interesting and I'm very glad for pointing me out about the sword and all the rest. Ya te ire enviando una bola de cristal para que averigues por adelantado mis proyectos y me vaya enviando las informaciones pertinentes... :lol:
Nice coat of arms the one of Anthony Bek, I'll search more about it.

so may be is easy for you to find some information like Guglielmino degli Ubertini

Ah! what memories! Guelfi, Ghibellini, the war between Siena and Firenze, the great battle of Campaldino, Dante and La Divina Commedia... I remember, above all about Dante, when learning about that at the college, I found another one, Uldarico Di Augusta.

Definitely, you are going to be my official inspirer..., thanks to your notes I just got the source for my next.

In the meanwhile, these are the avances with the figure. I see that the Duro is better than the Tamiya for the ring mail, but still too strong, so with my next figure I'll try to mix it with something more soft, like A+B or Magic Sculpt.

 

[Guayo]

Gracias a ti por inspirarnos, Thank you Luca,

This is my first work of this type and is all thank to you Luca, is not the same quality but I'm learning from your SBS(well I been following your work and you make it look easy) I use a old Pegaso figure I have in my closet, it looks good because he got a big belly and looks chubby(a nice touch like many medieval bishops :lol: )

Here is a example of a Mitra, I try to make it small but is pretty hard, happy to see that you resolve your problem of Who to portray, I just beginning and may be next weekend I would looking for a Warrior bishop, I would have to take my time, too much office work

Muchas gracias amigo,
Eduardo Tellez

 

[Calvin]

Eduardo, asi me gusta tio, pero ahora sigue y no me venga con el rollo del trabajo, de verdad quiero ver como avanzas. I really like your conversion, as you can see, it's not so hard, just start...
On Lilliput I found another example of a bishop warrior, from the gallery of Max Conrad, hope it helps:

(Guglielmino degli Ubertini)

The following is about the base:

 

[Calvin]

How to make a mace...

First of all, I notice that real maces are bigger than the version shipped with the figures:

First try, bleah! really ugly:

Second attempt:

(must be resized)

 

[Toadlet]

Hello again!

I think, if Bishop of Tartu coat of arms - only key and sword. IMHO castle is further addiction. Next pictures are one modern Cardinal heraldry (see: Cardinals hut), interesting is Pelican - bird that feed his children with his blood - symbolises Christ.
Pastoral "stick", correct is Pastoral Staff or Crosier. Next heraldry is unclear to me.

Book on Teutonic banners was written by Jan Długosz, Polish XV century historian. He described all Teutonic banners captured in Grunwald (Tannenberg) Battle. I found scans in one Lituanian website http://memorandum.tinklapis.lt/banderia/BPindex.htm .If you have any questions, about Teutonic or Polish flags and Heraldry, I can help. I just have a number of Polish books.

Looking forward to see finished bishops of both of you, Luca and Eduardo

Wojtek

 

[Calvin]

Hi Wojtek,

interesting is Pelican...

the full article from which I extract such picture, is here (in italian).

Next heraldry is unclear to me

is a work from a contemporary artist, not an historical one. Here his site.

Book on Teutonic banners was written by Jan Długosz, Polish XV century historian

Really great pictures on the site you point out, thanks. I think to recognize some of them in a gallery found on the web site of Crecy Models. The pictures cannot be linked, so open this link, click on the mounted figure (under master section), and click, on the right of the author's name (Enea Rovaris), the link "Vedi", under "Galleria".

Eduardo, don't give up now. I found a brief article about Uldarico di Augusta here, and some pics, like the following, about Guglielmino degli Ubertini (web site here)

About mine, the conversion is now finished.

Not a so sphisticated work, but its simplicity is just what I like.

 

[Calvin]

Wooden bases are not so cheap (from 10 up to 25 euros here, sic!), so I was trying to make one. Just 6 euros for about 35 pieces like that (5 x 5 x 8 cm) at the local carpentry... If you like the result, I'll mount an international delivery with 'Paco', my personal carpenter...

The base has been painted using the Vallejo colours, but the final result is still too rough, so I'll try to use a synt varnish to retouch it.

The scarf on the Bishop has been added just to break the main shape of the figure, no historical evidence...

...and the same for the mitra

As Augie point me out, its basic shape is not correct. I found some reference on the web, and the real one was something like the following.

 

[Calvin]

There are more original drawings I found, showing another type, a bit lower (resembling the one from the old figure of Soldiers), but I don't like it, a too small type, I prefer big head bishops....

Thanks to Augie and Jonsneddon (from El Paso Honroso forum) I got the arms I'll try to paint on the shield. The basic argument is the following. Aside the basic drawing from a McBride illustration in an Osprey book, if it is true that Hermann, along with his brother Albert, were accorded Imperial dignities as Princes of the Empire, then he/they would have been entitled to bear the capo dell'Impero (the Imperial eagle on a chief or), or an Imperial ecusson over his arms. These could be his arms, based on such reasoning.

© Agustin J. (Augie) Rodriguez/El Passo Honroso, 2005
http://forums.delphiforums.com/eph2/start

© Agustin J. (Augie) Rodriguez/El Passo Honroso, 2005
http://forums.delphiforums.com/eph2/start

And this is the arms of his family, thanks to a little research by Jonsneddon.

So the next step (after the few months I need to paint such arms...) is to do a pair of standard (a Teutonic and one with the Family arms) to place on the vignette (the Ernesto's 'standard fever' is contagious...).

See you this summer, I'm going to paint them...

PS: I know, my photos sucks a little, but not everything turns out as it should...

 

[megroot]

Great Work

Amazing Luca, I like it very much, but i am now more scared of a conversion then before.

marc