Del Prado Scottish Spearman 1314: The Infantry at Bannockburn

Del Prado · Medieval · Scotland, 1314

A long upright spear gives this Scottish foot soldier his defining shape. The Bannockburn label places Del Prado’s miniature in a battle where organised infantry formations were central to Robert Bruce’s victory.

The strength of a formation

At Bannockburn in June 1314, Robert Bruce’s army defeated the forces of Edward II. Scottish infantry fought in schiltrons, closely organised bodies of spearmen. The value of the spear lay partly in the support of neighbouring men, rather than in an individual soldier’s reach alone.

The dealer’s French title uses “lancier,” but the photographed subject is on foot. “Scottish spearman” is therefore clearer in English than a label that might suggest a mounted lancer. The model represents an infantry role associated with the battle.

Reading a packaged example

The reference photograph shows the figure inside its blister. Through the packaging, the upright weapon, metal-coloured helmet, light tunic and contrasting lower clothing are visible. The spear extends well above the head, creating a taller profile than the body would suggest.

The blister is useful evidence for the figure’s presentation, but reflections limit the view of small paint details. It is not a substitute for close photographs of an unpackaged example when assessing a loose figure offered by another seller.

What to ask a seller to show

For a loose example, request the full spear in profile, including its tip and the grip at the hand. Check whether it is bent toward the body or away from it. The helmet rim, tunic edges and feet are other useful places to inspect for wear.

For a packaged example, examine the blister for crushing and look for contact between the spear and the plastic. Packaging can preserve a model while still pressing against a long projection.

The figure pairs well with a medieval archer to compare two infantry roles. Keep enough space above the spear and avoid placing another weapon across its outline. A concise Bannockburn label supplies the historical setting without needing a large battlefield model.

When photographing your own example, include the base and the complete spear in the same frame. That makes the record useful for future identification and avoids cropping away the feature most likely to be damaged in a loose miniature.

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