40 Years of Warhammer: Miniature Retrospective – The Green Knight
It’s the most knightly knight to ever knight in the Warhammer world. The Green Knight tests all who quest for glory and the grail.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Warhammer and Games Workshop is taking some time to look back at miniatures that had a big impact on their work. Today Games Workshop is reaching back in the catalogue for a miniature that still holds up — no matter how many times you cut him down. The Green Knight rides again!
“Spearheading a stunning new range of miniatures, the noble knights of Bretonnia came clattering in on bright-caparisoned chargers, led by the Champion of the Lady of the Lake – the mythical Green Knight. The ethereal Protector of Bretonnia would materialise from the wild places, rearing up on his huge shadow steed to batter the enemies of the realm.”
The Green Knight
The Green Knight is certainly an iconic model from Warhammer Fantasy Battles. It incorporates all the fanciness and nobility of the Bretonnian Knights. At the same time it also has an air of mystery and awe as the person under the mask was unknown for years for him to finally be revealed during the End Times. The Green Knight would miraculously appear and had an etherealness about him. This was also reflected in his tabletop abilities…but we’re just focusing on the model today.
The sculpt was done by the legendary Michael Perry and it still the template for any miniature that considers itself a “Knight” model in Warhammer. It still holds up and even GW considers this one to be “one of the all time greats in the Citadel catalogue.” I would agree with that statement. And while the sculpt is awesome the paint job by Mike McVey is also very impressive. He was “a revered alumnus of the ‘Eavy Metal team famous for adding features like intricate textured patterns to flat surfaces” and McVey’s work is shown off here.
For me personally every time I would see this model’s box art or see it in a White Dwarf I would stop and just take it in. The Green Knight encapuslated what a “knight” was in my mind for many years and it’s really because of the model and paint job. It’s just a really clean and impactful model and I’m glad GW picked this one out for their 40 years of Warhammer celebration.
The Green Knight would lead the Bretonnians at times and also test the faith of any Questing Knights seeking the Grail. Those who passed his test would go on to become a part of the Legendary Grail Knights. Those who failed…well, the Green Knight suffered no fools. A great model, a cool backstory, and bit of mystery make the Green Knight one of the all time greats. So pour one out from your gobblet for the Green Knight!
Part of me wants an updated Green Knight. But part of me thinks that would be almost blasphemy. What do you think?
