Thursday, 7 July 2011

25mm Ulfhednar



Posting the Viking quiz, the other day has finally made me get my finger out and photograph some of my massive Dark Age collection. First up are the Ulfhednar, I painted these soon after Gripping Beast released them, it must be 10 years ago?? They're not the best paintjobs you'll ever see, and my painting has got a little better since (I hope), but as a warband I think they look mighty cool. I just wish Little BigMan had released their shield transfers before I bought these, one day I may invest in them and go through the Vikings with a fine toothcomb.


The Ulfhednar (singular Ulfhedinn), mentioned in the Vatnsdoela saga Haraldskveaoi and the Volsunga saga, were said to wear the pelt of a wolf when they entered battle. Úlfhednar are sometimes described as Odin’s special warriors, with the pelt from a wolf and a spear as distinguishing features.


I'll ask of the berserks, you tasters of blood,
Those intrepid heroes, how are they treated,
Those who wade out into battle?
Wolf-skinned they are called. In battle
They bear bloody shields.
Red with blood are their spears when they come to fight.
They form a closed group.
The prince in his wisdom puts trust in such men
Who hack through enemy shields.

from the  a skaldic poem composed by Thorbiorn Hornklofi in Haraldskveaoi 
the late 9th century in honour of King Harald Fairhair, as ulfheðnar ("men clad in wolf skins")












27 comments:

  1. I love these minis with animal pelts ,very tribal. Nice collection. I don't agree with you on the paintjob, it's very good table top level.

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  2. That's a scary looking crew there Ray.

    Good thing we Gar-Dena have got Beowulf, right, unless he's busy with Angelina Jolie again just when this happens.

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  3. Not a group of chaps that you'd want to meet on a dark night! Wild and hairy...perfect Ulfhednar! Lovely stuff!

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  4. Hi those are super looking Norsemen

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  5. Great stuff mate, brilliant. I dont have any Ulfhednar in my warband so I'm envious as heck!

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  6. They look pretty good to me Ray. Very nice figures.

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  7. Naked berserker's Ray, you have a problem my friend, stop mooning me at work.

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  8. Great looking figures, very itimidating!

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  9. Love those Gripping Beast figs.

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  10. the colors on them all are fantastic!!

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  11. Nice looking group. I also think the paint job is pretty darn good, though I agree that your later stuff looks nicer.

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  12. very colourful, but I'm sure they'll be effective

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  13. Very nice, Ray. I'll have to look at getting some of these as I like the dynamic poses - very... berserker.

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  14. Great looking figures well done Ray! well worth bringing these back out.

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  15. Very nice figures. I like the saga excerpt too. I'll take my literature rare, please, nice and bloody!

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  16. ppl used to be crazy back in the day before brainwashing television devices were discovered.

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  17. They are nice!! How do they compare Size wise) to other figs...like the Zvezda vikings???
    Good post over a Porkys mate...;-D
    Cheers
    paul

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  18. Nice close up images and a fine paint job.

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  19. I'll have you know, Sir Ray, that Miss Wiggy gives the BEST puppy hugs, ever.

    Just wanted to come here and let you know that I saw your comment on Porky's blog, and now I'm harassing you here.

    That's right. Whatcha gonna do 'bout it?

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  20. Help!!!!! Fran, where are you?????

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  21. He can't help you now .. Wiggy is on to you ...

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  22. Hey...where´s the answer to my question????:-D

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