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Gambargin — Frida van Brugge of Kroon-Nederlanden (Flemish) by-nc-nd

#dutch #flemish #history #medieval #middleages #womenwarrior #gambargin #femalewarrior #historicallywrongsketch
Published: 2015-06-22 02:34:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 12162; Favourites: 154; Downloads: 0
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Description A Concept Drawing of a Low-Counties Flemish Woman Warrior in the Historically Wrong Sketch Series: Medieval Revisited , which is roughly based on the Middle ages covering 800s AD to 1400s AD. She represents the Medieval Low-Counties in the series, hence the badly translated name of Royal Low-Counties, whose territory corresponds to modern day Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands.

Inspired by the music: E.M.A - Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack of Titan) OST


INTRODUCTION

Modern day Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg can be considered as some of the most successful European countries in the 21st century, whose innovative, high income economy also made them amongst the richest in Europe. Historically speaking, these 3 countries came under what is considered as the "Low-Counties", whose territories had always been contested by their large and hungry neighbors. In the middle ages, the Low Countries were composed of many newly built cities and urban settlements, unlike the majority in Europe which revolved around Roman and pre-Roman settlements. As a result, the region enjoyed prosperous population and economic growth that relied mainly on manufacturing and trade instead of agriculture. Throughout the middle ages, the regions came under the domain of Frankish empire and their remnants, though, despite the widespread of feudalism, most of the cities in the Low Counties were essentially self-governing domain controlled by association of guilds and councils. Interestingly, their military offered a much different perspective than the usual feudal knights, rather, one which were composed of trained urban militias organized form the "lower-class". While many of such urban militias were often equipped with inferior, crudely made weapons, in many cases, their resilience and a sense of unity to defend their land and possession gave them advantages against their more powerful feudal opponents.


DRAWING COMMENTARIES

The Historically Wrong Sketch series is filled with heavily armed and armored women warriors of wealth and status, fighting to gain or defend for either of them. This drawing however, depicts a much more down to earth portrayal of a Women Warrior, something that the majority of us could relate to and thats where the challange came from. I've drawn many women warriors clad in armor and maybe some who are not, but to draw a woman who had to participate in a battle that's not of her choosing, neither the defender nor the agressor but as innocent who got caught in between, is somewhat tricky. 

Then, there's this news I saw where the reporter wore a buletproof vest, covering the news in war-torn iraq. It was from then, i thought of combining civilian dress with armor, something that portrays crude defense, not because she want to kill her enemies, but survive and to see a new dawn. 

In this drawing, Frida Karelsdochter of Bruges is depicted as a commoner, perhaps a family member of the local blacksmith who took up in arms to support the defender against the besieging force. She is dressed in typical medieval female burgher clothing, but with the addition of mail hauberk to give a crude protection, probably worn in a hurry. Her sword is of simple construction with medium lenght, which contrasted the broadsword which were used by the knights of the era. In this scene, she is depicted running across the town to deliver crossbow bolts to replenish the defender's ammunition at another gate. There's nothing fancy about her equipment, which is intended to portray more realism.

In the background on the left, one can see another burgher lady tending an injured militia, accompanied by the local priest. She can be seen shouting at Frida, probably to remind her something or to request for more medical supplies. On the right, another priest can be seen attending the wounded, accompanied by his comrade who is roughly drawn with coat of plates, kettle helm and Flemish goedendag.

Dedicated to those living in the lower countries, especially Belgium. I grew up reading your amazing comics!


REFERENCES AND OTHER RELATED MEDIA

Maybe related with:

The French, , The Vikings
The Germans , the English


A Part of the Historically Wrong Sketch Series: Medieval Revisited - You can find more on the various faction on the map here:


Related content
Comments: 31

Acecat2798 [2016-06-11 05:19:29 +0000 UTC]

Wow. This picture is so dynamic, she actually kind of intimidates me! 
I really appreciate your work, for the incredible dedication to detail both of historical accuracy and scene (while admitting to flaws/anachronisms/artistic license), for decrying the idea that female armor must be sexually appealing (because really now, who has time for a chainmail bikini when a regular one chafes and you're trying to defend your homeland), and shedding light on the lives of women and even entire groups who have been mostly brushed aside by popular knowledge. Women do and always have played a role in the world of politics and military, and it's about time that they started seeing the light of day!

Also, you're just great at art. I can't art. I practice, but it's more for my sake than anyone else's.
Do you work in a historical field or just do this in your free(?) time.

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Scipia [2015-06-24 17:26:34 +0000 UTC]

Amazing that's remember me Jeanne Maillotte at Lille in the French Flanders and the medieval rebellion of Flanders against French Kings at the same time

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Gambargin In reply to Scipia [2015-06-26 22:22:10 +0000 UTC]

Indeed that's correct! I still owe a drawing about that Scipia!

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MarkNL42 [2015-06-23 10:44:50 +0000 UTC]

Very nice. Also a very interesting subject. I myself live in the Netherlands, so I like it even more!

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Gambargin In reply to MarkNL42 [2015-06-26 22:22:26 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, glad you find the drawing to your liking

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single-leg [2015-06-22 17:47:25 +0000 UTC]

Very realistic. You know women were definitely doing this in history

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Gambargin In reply to single-leg [2015-06-26 22:23:05 +0000 UTC]

Indeed they were! Women and normal people, just like you and I! Sadly, many of them were forgotten

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single-leg In reply to Gambargin [2015-06-28 05:13:30 +0000 UTC]

As I get older, I don't think I even want to be remembered by this stupid and evil world. This may be an advantage..

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grassa48 [2015-06-22 17:27:47 +0000 UTC]

Simply brilliant! Her expression shows her determination.

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Gambargin In reply to grassa48 [2015-06-26 22:24:05 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. She is pretty determined to deliver the crossbow bolt

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ThunderboltFire [2015-06-22 14:15:47 +0000 UTC]

Your technique of drawing chainmail is great! What's funny, it's actually easier to make the chainmail than to draw it.

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Gambargin In reply to ThunderboltFire [2015-06-26 22:23:42 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for that! Is it true? I heard making chainmail is a back breaking and eye-tiring process ?

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ThunderboltFire In reply to Gambargin [2015-06-27 08:44:03 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!
I'm making a chainmail for myself. In modern conditions it only requires lots of steel circles (can be bought via Internet), two pairs of combination pliers and a lot of patience, but the technique itself is preety easy. In past every circle was closed by rivet, what made production complicated and labour-intensive. Chainmails used by reconstruction groups in Europe nowadays doesn't have rivets, what makes them less protective, but also easier, quicker and avaiable to make even at home.

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Yukow [2015-06-22 13:03:59 +0000 UTC]

OMG!!!!!!!!!! All your drawings are lovely! I love the expressions!!!! stay drawing, your drawins are awesome!

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Gambargin In reply to Yukow [2015-06-26 22:25:09 +0000 UTC]

I certainly will Yukow! Thanks for the encouragement

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Yukow In reply to Gambargin [2015-06-28 11:23:43 +0000 UTC]

OMG! NO PROBLEM D

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aristi1982 [2015-06-22 12:43:06 +0000 UTC]

Cool!

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Gambargin In reply to aristi1982 [2015-06-26 22:24:13 +0000 UTC]

Thanks

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Gryffgirl [2015-06-22 11:20:04 +0000 UTC]

Great sense of movement here!  I really love your backgrounds.  Although the focal character is always wonderful, the details and actions in the background make your pictures so interesting!  I keep finding new things that I hadn't noticed before!  Keep it up !

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Gambargin In reply to Gryffgirl [2015-06-26 22:24:55 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, glad you like that! Background is something that I've been working on lately, because it adds so much more to the story and the drawing

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DC-26 In reply to Gryffgirl [2015-06-22 12:53:04 +0000 UTC]

Exactly what I was thinking

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BATTLEFAIRIES [2015-06-22 08:37:34 +0000 UTC]

Spotted the easter egg...!

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Gambargin In reply to BATTLEFAIRIES [2015-06-26 22:25:24 +0000 UTC]

Bonus points for you! Hail the Sea Cucumber!

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BATTLEFAIRIES In reply to Gambargin [2015-06-27 07:20:18 +0000 UTC]

Long may it reign!

Thank you very much, friend!

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Arminius1871 [2015-06-22 07:44:51 +0000 UTC]

Awesome, and even with more people in the background, it´s getting cooler and cooler^^

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Gambargin In reply to Arminius1871 [2015-06-26 22:26:23 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Arminius! Glad you like it

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Lemniskate [2015-06-22 05:46:05 +0000 UTC]

The crossbow bolts need to be a bit more specific - in the first moment I though she was carrying scales. It would help if you showed the shafts; some bolts peeking out a bit over the rest.

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Gambargin In reply to Lemniskate [2015-06-26 22:26:47 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Ondi! Ah yes, those were drawn in a hurry! I'll figure something out to fix it

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lavenderl [2015-06-22 03:29:38 +0000 UTC]

Wow! This is wonderfully done!  I really like the realism of this piece.  I really like her outfit and pose.  Their expressions are very good.  The atmosphere is really strong too.

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Gambargin In reply to lavenderl [2015-06-26 22:27:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the many compliments eva

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lavenderl In reply to Gambargin [2015-06-27 03:16:44 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure, Gin. ^^

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