SEPTEMBER RELEASE 𐍈 13th century Teutonic Knights at the Prussian Crusade

Hi all, the September Release is finally here, and it focuses on the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century during the Prussian Crusade!

The Prussian Crusade, which spanned much of the 13th century, served as the backdrop for the Teutonic Knights' ambitions. Tasked with the conversion of the pagan Prussian tribes, this religious military order, formed in the late 12th century, used their mission of spreading Christianity in the Baltic region as a pretext for conquering and subjugating the pagan tribes of Prussia.

The campaign, marked by oppression, the seizure of lands, and the establishment of the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights, stands as a dark chapter in the annals of medieval European history and religious conflict. Clad in chainmail and great helms and wielding swords, axes and shields, these knights personified a blend of religious devotion and territorial ambition.

The release is comprised of:

10 Teutonic brother Knights on foot - During the Prussian Crusade in the 13th century, a Teutonic Knight's  equipment prominently featured chainmail as their primary form of armor.  These knights were a formidable sight on the battlefield, draped in interlocking rings of metal that provided a crucial layer of protection. Their armor began with a chainmail hauberk, a knee-length shirt made of  countless small metal rings meticulously woven together. A chainmail coif, covering the head and neck, completed the ensemble. Beneath their mail, knights often wore padded aketons. The aketon absorbed blows, while the chainmail stopped the cutting action of metal. They wore enclosed helms and great helms, encasing the enire head and face. In their right hand, a Teutonic Knight wielded a well-crafted sword  designed for slashing and thrusting, making it versatile for various  combat scenarios. They often carried maces or axes as secondary weapons. To further shield themselves in battle, these knights carried sturdy kite shields, often emblazoned with the Teutonic Order's distinctive black  cross. These shields served both as defensive tools and symbols of their allegiance to the Order and their faith. I decide to use smaller kite shields to show the transition that led to the emergence of the heater shield in the late 13th century.

10 Teutonic brother Sergeants - In the 13th century, the Teutonic Sergeants were a vital component of the Teutonic Order's structure. Unlike the fully-fledged knights, who were of noble birth, the sergeants were often of common origin. They played essential roles in supporting the knights on and off the battlefield. Teutonic Sergeants were skilled in various functions, including logistics, administration, and combat support. They managed the day-to-day operations of the Order's estates and fortifications, ensuring the smooth functioning of the Teutonic Knights' expanding domain. This included overseeing agricultural production, trade, and the management of resources. On the battlefield, sergeants often fought alongside the knights, providing crucial support in the form of archers, crossbowmen, and infantry. Their combat skills, while not on par with the knights, were decent, and they played key roles in securing victories during campaigns. Despite their commoner status, Teutonic Sergeants were highly respected within the Order for their dedication and contributions. They were integral to the Teutonic Knights' success during the Prussian Crusade and the broader Baltic campaigns of the time. They wear padded aketons but no mail, to display their lower status, as well as nasal helmets instead of greathelms, and are armed with spears and shield.

1 Mounted Commander - Wearing the iconic winged helmet, armed with a lance and riding a barded warhorse, he oversees his troops on the battlefield. A historical  depiction of this decorated great helm can be found in the Codex  Manesse, an illuminated manuscript from the early fourteenth-century.  The manuscript features a Teutonic knight by the name of Tannhäuser. He  is depicted wearing the traditional attire of his order, complete with a  winged helmet prominently displayed. The decoration would have probably been made out of paper or other light materials so as to not be a detriment in battle.

Everything comes Pre-Supported and ready to print in 28mm! Shields are separate pieces.

I'm really excited about this release, and hope you are as well. Very soon we will have a subscriber exclusive poll about what to do next! If you want you can comment with your input down below. I was thinking about doing a whole unit of mounted knights but we'll decide together.

DOWNLOAD HERE (IMPORTANT: Download the .RAR files one by one , DON'T right click on the whole "Black Knight Miniatures Release" folder and  hit download, otherwise Google Drive could mess up the files)

If you end up printing some of the models please consider sharing the pictures with me on Instagram