David Bickley's Wargames Blog

The occasional ramblings of an average gamer, journeyman painter, indifferent modeller, games designer, sometime writer for Wargames Illustrated and host of games in GHQ.



Tuesday 29 October 2024

Penda, the last Pagan King of Mercia

No games scheduled here in GHQ this week for numerous reasons, mostly due to a lack of opponents and my crook foot! While the Lead Pimple has swollen somewhat of late I find there is very little prepped and spray undercoated ready to face the brush. Hence this small vignette/command stand has enjoyed its moment in the sun! Four figures in three castings depicting Penda, the last Pagan King of Mercia, and his entourage ~

This is a vignette from the Early Saxon range sold by Gripping Beast. I ordered it on a whim when ordering some LBMS transfers sheets. As my handle on one Forum Board is Penda I thought I'd paint him and his fellows for fun. Of course he's rather 'out of period' for my Late Romans, but, "my toys, my game", so no doubt he will appear in such games at some point!

Alongside old Penda I also ordered another figure well outside my comfort zone! I expect pelters from at least one Follower when they see it! Keep an eye out later in the week for that one! In the meantime back to cleaning up more Late Romans and some other figures...

16 comments:

  1. Cracking command stand-cum-vignette David! I've always love the guy with the spear nonchantly resting on his shoulder. Looking forward to seeing what you've done outside of your comfort zone...

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    1. Thank you as ever SteveJ, much appreciated!

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  2. Absolutely fantastic vignette.
    Once my Romano British warband arrived I was immediately seduced by Footsore's early Welsh and late Saxon range.
    So,, in true wargamer fashion I ordered a few, then a few more.
    Very inspiring work.
    Looking forward to seeing your next figure (s).

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    1. Thanks Andy. Only a few though? Shurely Shum Mishtake?

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    2. At Footsore prices a few was all I could afford, absolutely fantastic sculpts though, well worth the money .

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    3. Their prices are at the high end of my tolerance, I agree, but Matt's work is surely worth it.

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  3. Most splendid indeed they will do nicely for earlier and why not a tad later, it's helmets and mail after all.

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    1. I'm confident old Penda will appear in other spots too!

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  4. Lovely little command vignette, nicely painted and very nice figures, look forward to see what the figure is that you expect pelters for, very intriguing!

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    1. Thanks Andy! You will know and understand in due course.

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  5. Another lovely addition to your later than late Roman collection David….
    You’ve bought some Space Marines… haven’t you 🤣🤣🤣

    All the best. Aly

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    1. Many thanks Aly, but you are wide if the mark there!

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  6. Nicely done David I do like a good Gripping beast dark age figure. Looking forward to seeing you painting out of your comfort zone …..I wonder what it might be ?

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    1. Two of the three figures were fine, the hornist less pleasing as a sculpt. I feel you are best placed to guess correctly, based on my replies...

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