Valdemar have produced a wide range of figures from all aspects of medieval life, and many of those are civilians going about their normal business. This set is one of the few military sets, but even here there is no fighting as this is a bunch of guards taking it easy.

There are some really charming poses in this set. All are sitting on a bench at a table (although there is not enough room on these benches for all the figures at once). One figure holds a tankard, one holds his spear (which is separate), one cleans his sword, one is simply sitting and relaxing, one is feeding the dog while another takes a draft of his ale. Our favourite however is the figure in the second row, who has fallen asleep on the table. Great poses every one.

There is very little mail here, and certainly no plate armour. Most have quilted armour under their surcoats, and all but two have laid aside their helmets, revealing their cloth coifs or arming caps on some. All the clothing looks fine.

As always the sculpting is superb, with a natural feel virtually unmatched by any other manufacturer. The fineness of the hard plastic/resin helps by allowing the smallest and most delicate of folds, while the faces of these men are so full of character and life as to be a joy to behold. This same fine detail means these figures will not stand rough handling, and even detaching them from the waste material has to be done carefully. Placing the slender spear in the hands of its owner is a big task as there are no holes in the hands for this, so you must either make them yourself or, more practically, cut the spear up and place as required, which is particularly tricky. Some other exposed small parts such as the legs of the dog are always prone to breakage – the price to be paid for not using a robust but less precise softer plastic.

This is another thoroughly enjoyable set of figures from Valdemar, and while hardly gaming pieces they will make an excellent inn or garrison display, showing their subject as real human beings in a way few plastic figures genuinely achieve.