Thursday 26 July 2018

Gibbet

Just time to get in one more themed post this month and what better way of warning those with a penchant for straying from the right path than to see fellow transgressors rotting quietly in a metal cage?  The gibbet was simply that, a way of illustrating, with the utmost clarity, that crime doesn’t pay.  
Mine is originally from ‘Black Tree Designs’ and is a sturdy piece of metal, cast in several pieces; the base frame being one piece and the cage two. Turning over the pieces in my hand, I started to wonder if there was, perhaps, an opportunity to make something a little more unique? A quick trawl through the bits box unearthed a Games Worksop plastic skeleton whose original purpose is now lost to time. It wasn’t the greatest fit and a couple of compromises had to be made, namely an arm and a leg, but eventually the hapless victim was secured.
Basing everything on a ‘Warbases’ MDF disc, gave ample room to incorporate some ground work and a ‘Renedra’ gravestone was used to represent a milestone.  Finally, a plastic crow sits above the gibbet, it’s loud, distinctive caw adding to the eeriness of the grisly scene.
I am due to host a Witchfinder game, albeit using the Donnybrook rules, at the start of next month so this should form a useful reminder to the villagers of, well I don't know where!?  As I was starting to write the fluff for the scenario, I became acutely aware that I hadn't a clue where it was to be set.  It would be the work of seconds to Google some actual, humorous, English village names, I give you Scratchy Bottom in Dorset or Bell End in Worcestershire for example, but I can't help thinking that it should be a fictitious spot to avoid any unnecessary offence or litigation.

So if you have any suggestions then do feel free to share in the comments below and by way of inspiration, I have set up a couple of photographs, using the fruits of this month's labours, below; shamelessly indulging in a couple of filters to give the photographs that 1970s Hammer Horror feel.

52 comments:

  1. Fantastic work on the Gibbet Michael, the filter shots look great.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dave, I couldn't resist setting up a few shots ahead of the game next week.

      Delete
  2. Love what you have done with that.
    It reminds me that I have that exact model sitting around somewhere . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mike, it is certainly a nice piece, but needs a decent sized base to keep it stable.

      Delete
  3. Nice work all round Michael as for a Name Cringe might just fit the bill :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Frank, Cringe certainly works, nice one.

      Delete
  4. The Crow makes it. Wonderful model !

    Zzzzz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you he just seemed to fit perfectly there so I was happy to oblige him.

      Delete
  5. It all looks good, hopefully you will write up you game for us to enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, certainly hoping to do a write up, but I am notoriously bad at these. I always forget to take any photographs and then struggle with the narrative.

      Delete
  6. A ghoulishly grand gibbet, Michael! A great addition to the collection.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Absolutely smashing work Michael!

    Cheers Roger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Roger, really enjoyed this one.

      Delete
  8. An elegant and macabre little vignette, sir!

    As for village names, there's Much Piddling-in-the-Marsh, Great Wailing-in-the-Willows, or the delightful communities of Seeping and Howling from the book 'Cold Comfort Farm.'

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you A.J. I do like much Piddling-in-the-Marsh, as a name you understand. :)

      Delete
  9. Absolutely gorgeous work on all of them! I‘m sure your upcoming game will be a blast for everyone involved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Nick, but as usual, I have spent far too long tinkering with bits and pieces rather than learning the rules.

      Delete
  10. What a horrid place you depict. I am sure the witch-hunters will add to the misery even more. Well painted, yet some how I can not say well done! I hope that makes sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally understand Clint, I hope to have something more to your tastes shortly.

      Delete
  11. Your beginning to worry me Michael, with all these corrective training (torture) devices. None-the-less another fine piece for the collection. As for village names The Thorp of Willow Wisp, or the equally famous Dregway, which both are merely famed for popping into my head whilst typing this. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think we need to worry unduly Terry, but thank you for your concern. :) Good names, both.

      Delete
  12. Wonderful addition to your Witchfinder table.

    Cheers, Ross

    ReplyDelete
  13. Another lovely piece to add to the collection. 😀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Matt, certainly got a good few pieces to enrich the table next week.

      Delete
  14. Usually I temper my historical romanticism with a reminder of plumbing, but it occurs to me that gibbets could serve a similar function.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not sure we would get planning permission for one in our village though.

      Delete
  15. Brilliant little addition :) I've got a BTD gift certificate I'd been struggling to find a use for, but you've just given me something to put into the shopping cart.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy to have helped spend you money, that same experience has happened to me a good many times, noticeably after visiting Simon Moore's splendid blog. :)

      Delete
  16. Aha! A gibbet..Finally one bit of torture kit I´ve actually got...in 1/72nd scale that is..not really an actual life size one.
    Bendover ? Nockemstyff? Fynger-in-Hoel ?
    Somewhere bit bit welsh--- Wytchfyndah?
    Just a mo...it´s a bit rude (a Combo of german and Latin) but definately made up..Ficktitious? Something suspicious in Little Ficktitious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry..It´s the Weekend and very hot here...OOH! Weakend?
      I´ll get my coat.

      Delete
    2. I knew you would be a veritable gold mine of suggestions, thank you Paul!

      Delete
    3. Little Harrowing ?
      Little Staynes ?
      Little Trubble ? Trubbelton?
      Tyndham ?
      Pherrycross ?

      Delete
  17. Lovely work mate. I especially like the basing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Millsy, already thinking about Crime and Punishment, the sequel. :)

      Delete
  18. Excellent addition Sir M! Love the crow too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Ray, he just seemed to fit well on the top there.

      Delete
  19. Great as always, Michael!
    As inspiration, have you encountered the exploits of Titus Defoe?
    https://shop.2000ad.com/catalogue/GRN420
    Created by British comics legend Pat Mills, it features post civil war zombie slaying! Have a look and see what you think...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now this looks right up my street! Interestingly the banner picture for this series of posts was created from an etching depicting the fate of the original Titus Defoe.

      Delete
  20. Your amassing a veritable cornucopia of torture instrumentation. It looks marvellous as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Simon, it was amazing how I stumbled across more and more as the month went on. Maybe there will be Crime and Punishment - the sequel? :)

      Delete
  21. Gibbet looks good and a great addition to a historically disturbing ensemble.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, it has been quite a grisly month.

      Delete
  22. Good addition to any wirchfinder type of game and the gratuitious scenic shots show off your latest additions beautifully.
    Whenb it comes to interesting English village names, Google is your friend; there are many lists and maps (by county in many instances) of funny, rude and just strange village names. Off the top of my head, from my own area we have "Pity Me" and "Twice Brewed" amongst many others I'm sure.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...