Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar (c. 1043 – 1099 CE) is a fascinating figure in Medieval Spain. A knight of minor noble birth, he fought for both Christian and Muslim, eventually carving out his own kingdom as ruler of Valencia. He has been depicted in miniature several times. The figure on the left is by Mark Copplestone, clearly heavily influenced by Charlton Heston! I think I’m correct in saying that this was a figure given away by Amazon Miniatures with the WAB El Cid supplement when it was published in 2003. On the left, we have Rodrigo’s trusty standard bearer (an Artizan miniature with a hand-drawn flag).
Here we have some more members of El Cid’s entourage – figures by Artizan and Crusader Miniatures.
Lastly, two of my El Cids side-by-side: on the left is the original Gripping Beast model by Duncan Patten (mounted on a Perry Miniatures horse); on the right is the Mark Copplestone sculpt. These two were painted about ten years apart!
mogsymakes 