Sunday, February 18, 2018

'Childhood' from TomM: Tijl Uilenspiegel

A bit of a special set of figures for this round, as it is the limited edition entry set from the past Crisis wargame show we organised at TSA. 



And it is a character that has a great influence on school children of my generation...

The models, sculpted by Paul Hicks, where available in two different manners on the event.  Tijl was the model that was in the goodie bag, and at the event you could buy the remaining two in a special commerative box with a printed scenic base.


Originally a trickster figure from German medieval folklore, later versions set him in the days of the Dutch Revolt against Spain.





Born in Damme near Bruges, Tijl joins the Dutch cause against the Habsburg rulers together with his girlfriend Nele and his best friend Lamme Goedzak.









At first a goodhearted prankster playing jokes on the Spanish, over time he becomes a hero and symbol of the Revolt.  he even cheats death, rising from the grave before his grieving friends, promising them more adventures to come as they embody the spirit of the Low Countries.

This folkloric figure was the inspiration for a series of graphic books, named "De geuzen" (though the names where changed a little) and even a cartoons series in the early 80s, though there he was more a green dressed, flying, magic wielding leprechaun then a symbol of revolution... but yes, together with his actual book, he was seemingly everywhere in the 80s and 90s... which, as I am from 1978, is full on in my childhood, hence why I picked him.

8 comments:

  1. Nice one Tom, great work on these characterful figures!

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  2. Brilliant figures and painting Tom. Right up my street!

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  3. Great work Tom, I have the Crisis entry figure as well but have yet to paint it. Hope I'll manage as well as you did. Now I know from highly reliable source that our great Leader has just this set as well.. wonder what he will make of them!

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  4. Very nice work, Tom! The lady with bonnet and long gun seems to be chasing children from her yard! I like the mustachioed fellow very much!

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  5. Lovely bunch of figures, the woman with the gun is particularly characterful!
    Best Iain

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  6. Great work Tom, I love these figures. I got the same set when I was at Crisis this year (great show!) and hope mine turn out as well.

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