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We are a medieval Re-enactment Society* covering a large period in history (1300-1485) we specialise in tournament and small skirmish type displays not living history, although we do provide a limited static display. There are limitless ideas for costume and armour; archer, fully armoured Knight, cannon crew, skirmisher, standard bearer, musician, handgunner etc. If you can find a costume/role in a book that you fancy then we will probably let you be it, as long as it is within our period and vaguely European. The hobby can cost as much or as little as you want, most of the basic equipment can be made at home. Existing members are always willing to either make equipment for new members or help them to do it themselves.
There are a number of roles that can be non-combatant such as archer, cannon crew, handgunner, standard bearer, musician, page. Our minimum age is 18, although younger members are OK as part of a family. You must be 18 or over to fight.
The society was first formed in 1974 by Dave Woodward, who is still in overall charge of the group. The active Membership is 40 located around England and Wales. We have been both larger and smaller in the past as membership tends to fluctuate.
We travel all over the country during the summer months (and sometimes the winter too) performing at a wide variety of events, from small village fayres to large multi-society re-enactments of up to 1100 people, as well as doing some film and video work.
Many shows are local one day affairs at small events such as school & village fates, others may be a fair distance and involve overnight camping, at these we generally visit the local pub and when they close the rest of the evening is spent back at the camp site round the camp fire.
The events we stage ourselves can range from small scale foot tournaments (8-15 participants), through medium skirmishes (14-30) right up to larger battles (30+). In addition we attend large multi-society battles with hundreds, or even thousands of combatants.
We have no restrictions on woman fighting, other than they must dress as men and take on a male character whilst in battle.
Annual membership fee is £12.00 (£6.00 for student/un-employed/OAP, normally special deals for family membership are arranged). This helps cover the costs of the insurance, newsletters and generally organisational costs.
Equipment and basic costume is generally loaned for the first six months or two shows, which ever comes first. After this, while loan equipment is still available, you are expected to start making or buying your own. Obviously if you get really keen and start getting your own kit sooner we won't complain.
Training is provided as necessary for the role being taken on. We have high standards for both the look of things and safety. Generally after a couple of training sessions you will be able to take part in small local shows. After a few of these and a bit more training you will be able to participate in the larger, multi-society, battles. During the summer training is normally done at shows in any spare time available. Over the winter we try and run at least one training session a month to keep our hands in and train up new recruits ready for the next season.
At shows we often provide a static display comprising; a Range of medieval armour and weapons, small living history display of field equipment, working siege catapult, Heraldic colours and flags, Early artillery, authentic tents and have-go archery against actual armoured knights. All society members chip in and help run these so that the same people aren't stuck doing the same thing all the time. You are expected to help out where needed and generally be a useful member of the group. The static display is expanding all the time as members try out new things and make new bits of equipment.
We try and pay members travelling expenses when we can, it depends on how much we get from the show organisers. Generally at the smaller shows (school fates, town fayres etc.) there is enough that everyone from out of the area gets at least a major proportion of their expenses. At large multi-society battles it tends to be the opposite with little if any expenses being paid. This is due to the size and costs of running such shows and we do it for the enjoyment anyway.
The society has its own public liability insurance. This covers us for accidentally injury to members of the public, but not to participants. It is recommended that members have their own insurance.
Members generally research and take on an the name and arms of an actual historical figure. There is an informal rank structure based on actual medieval ranks. You start as a basic levy man-at-arms or archer and as your equipment and skill improves you progress upwards depending on your role.
We are organised into Commandries (Branches) round the country, each being run be a senior local member under the overall control of the society council. We have Commandries or individual members dotted over the country including; Wiltshire, Hampshire, Shropshire, London, Birmingham, Kent, Nottingham, Cheshire, South Wales, Hartfordshire, Oxfordshire. You generally join which ever one is closest. See the contacts page for a list of commandries and e-mail contacts.
We do out best to motivate and encourage new members but it really is up to you to have a go and if you decide it's for you then "throw yourself in" , the more you put in the more you will get out. You will find we are a friendly lot and do our best to make new members welcome and part of the crowd.
We are always willing to take new members, if you are interested then read the details on the main page as well, then check out the society documents on the documents page to get an idea of what we do. Look at the contacts page to see where we are based and drop us an e-mail. Remember our minimum age is 18, and let us know roughly where you are (town/county)
* not the "British Pregnancy Advisory Service" or the "British PsychoAnalytical Society", despite the unfortunate clash of initials :-)
