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Swan Knights of Dol Amroth Appearance
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Author:  Erunion [ Tue Dec 11, 2012 6:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Swan Knights of Dol Amroth Appearance
Does anyone know of any reference to the Swan Knights of Dol Amroth in Tolkien's writing that would indicate that they all wore matching heraldry? (i.e. GW's all blue/white scheme) The only reference I can find to their appearance mentions grey horses and gold fringe on Imrahil's banner. I recently came into a bunch of SKoDA on foot and I was thinking about painting them up in individual heraldry, but I want to stay true to Tolkien's representation of them.
Author:  Dorthonion [ Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Swan Knights of Dol Amroth Appearance
Not sure about individual heraldry but I have come across a few snippets:
Quote:
“.... Now they sprang forward, formed, quickened to a gallop, and charged with a great shout. And from the walls an answering shout went up; for foremost on the field rode the swan-knights of Dol Amroth with their Prince and his blue banner at their head.. 'Amroth for Gondor!' they cried. 'Amroth to Faramir!'”

- The Return of the King


Quote:
And last and proudest, Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, with gilded banners bearing his token of the Ship and silver Swan, and a company of knights in full harness riding grey horses; and behind them seven hundreds of men at arms, tall as lords, grey-eyed, dark-haired, signing as they came. -ROTK Book 1 Pg. 31


The swan-knights of Dol Amroth were considered the most elite of Gondor's army, riding on grey horses and wielding great lances and swords, they did not give in easily to fear or intimidation and are on the front line of every battle. Though their numbers were few compared with the other more numerous horsemen, however, they were still one of the most feared cavalrymen in all of middle-earth.
Grey horses can be anything from white through to the mottled effect on Eomer's mount.
My guess on the heraldry would be that each could have an individualised take on the Dol Amroth symbology but with the same basic overall colour scheme.
Author:  Fëanor, the mighty elf [ Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Swan Knights of Dol Amroth Appearance
Good question. Here's a link that will help a lot, I think.
http://www.henneth-annun.net/resources/ ... m?THID=363
It contains all relevant quotes about the Swan Knights.

To surmise:
- Gilded banners with the Ship and the Silver Swan (note plural)*
- Imrahil's own banner is blue (note singular)*
- Shining chain mail and vambraces (also referred to as full harness)
- Tall, dark hair, grey-eyed
- Grey horses

*As seen in the quotes (see link), there's a reference to banners of Dol Amroth and a banner of Imrahil. If taken literally, this implies that Imrahil's banner was different from the regular Dol Amroth banner. This, I think, would be a good interpretation and would allow for some interesting miniatures. You could have some normal Knights with the Banner of Dol Amroth, and have some (even more) elite Knights with Imrahil's Banner.
Author:  Draugluin [ Wed Dec 12, 2012 12:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swan Knights of Dol Amroth Appearance
I would say that they would all have the same basic color and basic heraldry, but some might have a darker blue/black color scheme while others have a lighter blue color, maybe to show their seniority with the corps of knights. The Men-at-Arms would most likely follow the scheme of the specific knight they served, although I could see all of them having the same color blue because of their station.
Author:  Erunion [ Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Swan Knights of Dol Amroth Appearance
Thanks, guys. That was very helpful.

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