The Order of St John of the Hospital of Jerusalem was established well before the First Crusade, and operated two hospitals in Jerusalem to help Christian pilgrims visiting the Islamic city. The word hospital has changed its meaning greatly over the centuries, but at that time it referred to an establishment that provided comfort and support for pilgrims in many ways, not simply medical. However after the Crusader States were established the Order became increasingly military and maintained both men and castles in the Holy Land.

The armed brethren of the Order were basically dressed much like any other armed man of the time, and this miniature is meant to represent one such Hospitaller. The figure wears a mail hauberk with a surcoat over it, and on his back he has a hooded cloak or mantle. His helmet is of the fully enclosed great helm style, which makes this figure dateable to not earlier than the first half of the 13th century. His clothing and heater shield also match this date.

The figure is excellently detailed in as much as the mail, surcoat and cloak are well rendered with good texture or believable folds. Naturally the face and hands are not visible, but the whole ensemble looks great and with no flash it only requires assembly of the separate sword, shield and cloak (which can be left off if desired). The sword is provided with a full hilt, which means it will not fit into the ring hand, but by removing the pommel and slightly enlarging the hole everything can be put together beautifully.

This is a very nice figure, although as it is made in a hard and fairly brittle type of plastic it is not recommended for play or general rough handling. More of a collector’s piece than a toy, but a very nice one at that.