[VXDA022] Pillage: Carolingian Franks Unarmoured Infantry

36 x Carolingian Unarmoured Infantry

This highly detailed plastic set represents unarmoured Carolingian and Frankish warriors from the 8th to the 11th centuries.

The Carolingian Empire was one of the great powers of early medieval Europe, reaching its height under Charlemagne, who united much of Western and Central Europe and was crowned Emperor in A.D. 800. His reign helped shape the political and military landscape of medieval Europe for centuries to come.

Carolingian infantry formed the backbone of early Frankish armies. Known for their stubbornness in battle, they would gather around their lords or fight in close-packed groups, forming dense shield walls in much the same way as their Saxon and Viking contemporaries. Infantry remained the dominant arm of Carolingian armies until increasing contact with the Avars and other mounted peoples encouraged a greater reliance on cavalry.

Typical weapons included stout spears, often fitted with a distinctive cross guard beneath the spearhead, along with knives, axes and heavy wooden clubs. Swords were rarer and more expensive, but Carolingian examples were renowned for their quality, strength and lightness.

Clothing usually consisted of a long-sleeved tunic with contrasting decorative borders, often worn with a long cloak. Leg bindings were common, while contemporary artwork also shows the distinctive Carolingian “tulip” style boots.

With a few shield swaps, these figures can also be mixed easily with Victrix Saxons, Vikings and Normans, giving you even more variety for your Dark Age armies. They are also ideal for fantasy armies and conversions.

What’s included?

Each sprue contains 6 highly detailed unarmoured Carolingian warriors and a huge range of weapon, head and equipment options.

• 6 unarmoured Carolingian warriors
• 11 spears, including examples with the distinctive Carolingian cross guard
• 9 hand weapons, including swords, axes, seaxes and wooden clubs
• 6 convex Carolingian shields with embossed details
• 6 sword scabbards
• 6 knife scabbards
• 4 cloaks in flowing and draped poses
• 17 heads, including 8 bare heads, 2 caps and 7 helmeted heads
• Horn and standard bearer arms for creating command figures

The head options include several Carolingian helmet styles, including the distinctive form sometimes shown in contemporary manuscripts that resembles the later Renaissance Morion. Historians still debate whether this helmet existed exactly as depicted or was an artistic interpretation of earlier Roman equipment, so plenty of alternative helmet options are included.

Altogether, each sprue contains an impressive 83 parts, giving you a huge amount of variety to make every warrior different, with plenty of spare components left over for conversions and your bits box.