Description
A concept drawing of a Post-Viking, Swedish Shieldmaiden of the Historically Wrong Sketch Series: Medieval Revisited which is a recreation of the original HWS series based on the AD 800 - AD 1400 era of warfare. This is based on Christianized Sweden in the middle-ages, along with the usage of historical name (though it does not related to the actual kingdom of Sweden)
Inspired by the Music: Reign Of The Septims by Jeremy Soule, The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivon OST
Disclaimer: I am by no means expert in History, just a humble man with passion for learning history. Also, English is not my first language so if you do find any errors or would like to make a correction/feedback, please feel free let me know
INTRODUCTION
The swedish people were part of the Vikings who dominated sea voyages during the Viking age, however, unlike their Danish and Norwegian brethren who raided the British Isles and land beyond, the Viking-ing in Eastern Europe was largely focused on trade (whose source often came from plunders and raids). With the spread of Christianity and the consolidation of power under Feudalism and the Kalmar Union, the post-viking medieval Kingdom of Sweden expanded their realm steadily. It was not until after their independence from the Kalmar union in the late 15th century, that the Swedish people realized their greater ambition to expand beyond, mirroring their Viking forefather. What was just an insignificant kingdom in the middle ages, Sweden would later grew into one of Europe's most powerful and modernized state in the 16th century.
DRAWING COMMENTARIES
This is probably my final and the last piece of drawing as part of the diversification of Scandinavian faction, to explore the history beyond the vikings (as portrayed on Gunnhildr Freysdottir of Vikingrunionen (Norse) ) and into christianized Scandinavia. Perhaps, the history of Scandinavia after the Viking age is not very popular, as compared to what goes on in the Baltic, like the crusades which are largely associated with the Germanic military Order (Teutonics), the conflicts with Hansa as well as the Novgorod republic. My aim in this drawing is to give a different view of what would these nordic shieldmaiden would have looked like, after the Viking era
In this drawing, Lady Ylva Egilsdotter is drawn in a (poorly made) Coat of Plates as well as long-sleeved chainmail armor, reflecting the adoption of western European designs that dominated the late 13th to early 14th century warfare in Scandinavia, although her Great Helm is somewhat old fashioned by this time. Apart from her axe, she is completely indistinguishable from other Germanic or Frankish Knight of the era. The adoption of Kettle Helmet, which could be seen from her fellow men-at-arms in the background, also became common in scandinavia, being one of the most practical for infantry combat, since the mountainous and heavily forested terrain of the region made mounted combat less popular (as compared to western europe).
I have included a dead Rus warrior, with the roughly drawn helmet and shield based on the equipments of Novgorod Princes in the 13th-14th century. Also, there's the Runic stone as well as the Lion banner to give a much more "Scandinavian" flavor, though I don't think it made that big differences to the drawing
REFERENCES AND OTHER RELATED MEDIA
May clash/make friends with the following:
Drawn as part of the Nordic Alliances in the Historically Wrong Sketch Series , whose aim is to portray the post-viking Christianized Scandinavia, including the Kingdom of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
The Finns , The Balts , The Rus and the Byzantines
A Part of the Historically Wrong Sketch Series: Medieval Revisited - You can find more on the various faction on the map here:
HISTORICAL COMMENTARIES
Is still under construction. Pleas wait while enjoying a can of Surströmming
Comments: 17
CrazyIrishguy [2021-04-26 08:17:30 +0000 UTC]
I'm no history expert either, but I still love to learn about it.
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aristi1982 [2014-12-20 03:11:02 +0000 UTC]
Did i already tell you that i love this series?
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kithsoban [2014-12-16 18:16:35 +0000 UTC]
Scandinavia after the Viking... Interesting topic! Is that lion banner related to current swedish three lion banner? And if you willing to draw another swedish warrior, Gustav era would be wonderful
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RoranHawkins [2014-12-15 14:02:06 +0000 UTC]
Please no, please not surströmming! Anything but not that!
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A-Chenery [2014-12-15 12:26:40 +0000 UTC]
Excellent as always!
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lavenderl [2014-12-14 22:10:19 +0000 UTC]
Her face is very haunting. Even though it seems her side won, her expression is neither triumphant nor joyous. I like that this piece doesn't romanticise war.
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grassa48 [2014-12-14 21:37:44 +0000 UTC]
All of your work is good, but this one really gets to me. The cuts in her armor, her wound, the blood all give an immediacy to the piece.
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Gabbanoche In reply to Greatkingrat88 [2014-12-15 13:35:24 +0000 UTC]
Vad menar du att Birger Jarl pysslade med då?
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Greatkingrat88 In reply to Gabbanoche [2014-12-15 13:43:10 +0000 UTC]
Birger Jarl må väl ha lagt en stark grund för Sverige, men det rike han arbetade med var knappast det vi nu kallar för Sverige. Min historia är kanske ringrostig, men enligt vad jag kan minnas så är Gustav Vasa den vi räknar som "landsfader".
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Gabbanoche In reply to Greatkingrat88 [2014-12-15 14:31:14 +0000 UTC]
Nu är jag inte världsbäst på den tidiga medeltiden eller Vasas bravader. Men Birger Jarl enar ju landet och får slut på stridigheterna så att allt det som utgjorde medeltida Sverige löd under kungen. Innan var det massvis av interna stridigheter(Eller Maffia samhälle som jag vill minnas Dick Harrison har beskrivit det).
På 1200 talet kallades landet Swerike och kungen sade att han var Swerikes kung, så jo landet fanns mycket väl men i medeltida form. Men ja Gustaf Vasa är den vi kallar landsfader, tror man säger att den moderna staten är spunnen ur Gustaf Vasa eller något sånt, landet är ju dock äldre.
Landet fans även under Kalmar unionen! Hur kunde annars Kalmar unionens kungar vara kungar av Sverige?
Om man skall utgå ifrån att Sverige inte kan kallas Sverige förrns det är likt de vi kallar för Sverige idag så skulle ju Carl X Gustaf va den första att ena landet... Eftersom Vasa varken hade Skåne,Halland, Bohuslän eller Blekinge i sitt Sverige.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Greatkingrat88 In reply to Gabbanoche [2014-12-15 20:33:05 +0000 UTC]
Ja, de känns inte så viktigt vem som gjorde vad- Birger Jarl var en viktig figur han också, men det heter väl att det vi idag anser vara Sverige kom sig ur vad Vasa åstadkom.
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