Friday, 16 January 2026

From Kerry T - "Oh what a knight" - 120 points

Morning afternoon & evening all

I've had a busy week but thankfully my habit of painting horses in large numbers over the Christmas break has paid dividends. With the bulk of the horseflesh already completed it's been relatively easy to finish 12 riders this week.



For the second week in a row, these are from Reconquer Designs and depict another Spanish Military order, the Knights of Calatrava. This order was one of four in Spain that fought in the Reconquista.

Founded in Castille in the 12th Century by Raymond of Fitero and confirmed by a papal bull issued by Pope Alexander in 1164 the order still exists today. Wikipedia says "Today, the aim of the Spanish Orders is basically the same as they had when founded: the defense of the Catholic faith. The sword has been put aside, but their doctrine, example, self-sanctification, and divine worship remain active, aside from their cultural and social activities."

These are 3D printed figures, from the stable of Reconquer designs who produce 3 sets of military order knights giving quite a bit of variation in figures. What is also handy is that one is able to print from a selection of shield options thus making painting them easier as the relevant cross is printed on the shield. Options include shields for the orders of Calatrava, Santiago and Templar with plain shields also being an option.

No way are they getting through that gate like that

Painting white is always a struggle but this time I managed to stop myself giving them my usual black wash after blocking in the white tabards. I've undercoated black, dry brushed white then painted with Vallejo cream white and then a mix of off white and cream white for highlight.




They've ridden past that door so many times you'd have thought one would have found the way in by now

I think that I'm probably done with Spain and the Reconquista for the rest of the challenge and will move on to something else, probably 100 Years war. All a bit strange really as I regard myself as a dyed in the wool Napoleonic enthusiast!

Just to prove these are not last week's Knights in disguise


In summary

12 x 28mm military order knights @ 10 points = 120 points

Many thanks

Best wishes
Valleyboy

From Millsy:

What a great looking crop of soldiers of God mate! Nice to see some of the less well known orders like the Knights of Calatrava getting a look in. I think you've done a cracking job on the white and as always your steeds are wonderful.

120 points riding bravely onto your total sir!

Cheers,
Millsy

34 comments:

  1. They are cracking Kerry, need some close ups!

    Cheers
    Matt

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    1. Thanks Matt, but then you'd see all the painting errors!

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  2. Wonderful crusaders Kerry. Well done.

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    1. Cheers Bruce, I must get round to Templar and Hospitalers at some stage

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  3. Great work Kerry - I love Knights of all kinds, particularly ones in religious orders. I love how the white turned out here.

    100 Years War should be even better! I have a slow burning HYW project myself, with the main obstacle being that I have almost no idea what I'm doing...so can't wait to see your work!

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    1. Thanks Greg, my aim is to try and concentrate on the Edwardian phase of the war though I do have a lot of Perry Agincourt figures. Medbury miniatures and reconquer STLs along with Antediluvian and Claymore will be the main focus I think

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  4. Another great unit of Spanish Knights.

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  5. Impressive-and as you say white can be tricky

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    1. Cheers I've had my fill of painting white I think though I do have a load of Austrian AB Napoleonics in the painting queue

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  6. Wonderful look to these Kerry

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    1. Cheers Dave, was good to have a chin wag on zoom just now

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  7. Thats some great mass of Frankish power right there! Love the variations across them all Kerry, very nice

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    1. Thanks Paul all down to the ease of being able to print the relevant shields

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  8. Really nice work Kerry. And another great appearance from teh castle walls

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    1. Thanks Richard, the walls serve to hide the mess behind!

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  9. Lovely looking knights, they look great!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, I'm painting peasants now for a change

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  10. White is such a difficult color to pull off and yet you managed admirably. Very well done

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  11. Another great looking unit of knights, Kerry. Batch painting all of the horses at the start seems like a good time saving tip.

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  12. Loving these, especially against the city walls.

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