Medieval Re-enactment Clubs

 

Medieval reenactment is a form of historical reenactment that focuses on re-enacting European history in the period from the fall of Rome to about the end of the 15th Century. The second half of this period is often called the Middle Ages.

The first period is sometimes called the Migration Period or Dark Ages by Western European historians, and as Völkerwanderung ("wandering of the peoples") by German historians. This term is usually reserved for the 5th and 6th centuries. Re-enactors who re-create the next period of history - 7th to 11th Century - often refer to this as Early medieval. The 12th to 14th Centuries fall under the term High medieval, while the 15th century is often termed Late medieval.

With such a wide range of eras most medieval reenactment groups focus on a smaller time period, sometimes restricting their interest to a particular century, or even a specific decade or monarch, depending on how authentic the reenactment and encampment is intended to be.

 

Reenactment of everyday life

Medieval period oriented living history groups and reenactors focus on recreating civilian or military life in period of the Middle Ages. It is very popular in Eastern Europe. The goal of the reenactor is to portray an accurate interpretation of a person who credibly could exist at a specific place at a specific point in time. Examples of living history activities include authentic camping, cooking, practicing historical skills and trades, and playing historical musical instruments or board games.

Renaissance Fair participants generally borrow from a range of history and often incorporate fantasy or Hollywood-inspired elements into a presentation for public entertainment.

Aactivities of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) include everything from artistic disguises for modern items such as ice chests, to exhaustive research and authentic living history events.

 

Combat reenactment

There are variations on the idea of reenacting medieval combat, ranging from training of historical dueling practices (usually with an appropriate period sword such as an arming sword or rapier and wrestling as a martial art), to reenactment of historical or legendary battles of the Middle Ages.

Some groups treat historical combat as a martial art do not fit the traditional definition of a reenactment group and are more similar to fencing clubs. An example is the SCA, which uses rattan swords to avoid injury. Others combine the sport with more traditional forms of reenactment, such as living history.

Combat re-enactment is a side of historical reenactment which aims to depict historical forms of combat. This may refer to either single combat, melees involving small groups, or nearly full-scale battles with hundreds of participants.

Depending on the intended effect, performances may have the aim of presenting historical martial arts reconstruction, or just offer entertainment in a "renaissance fair" context.

Arranged Performance Fighting, as distinct from both theatrical fencing and historical swordsmanship practiced as a martial art, having the purpose of demonstration and education. Such performances are offered by a number of museums including the Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK

Mock-Fighting & Martial Sports, including simulated battle presentations and tournament bouts in living history or live-action role-playing games with special "combat rules".

 

Battle reenactment

Reenactment of battles is a major and popular component of historical reenactment.

Due to the number of participants involved, most reenacted battles cannot be choreographed in any detail, and safety guidelines or "combat rules" are imposed on participants instead, prohibiting most realistic actions. Some reenactment battles take the form of a competition, where the two "armies" try to defeat each other within the actions permitted by the combat rules.

Battles in film are not inhibited by such restrictions, due to the possibilities of cutting and closeup. They are fully choreographed, and are not performed in a single go but divided into individual sequences.

 

Combat as interactive martial art

The Society for Creative Anachronism fighting is based on Medieval fighting on foot, in the spirit of tournament fighting with wooden swords. Armor is hand-made and based on historical artifacts. Unlike most reenactment events, the events are not pre-determined, it's a participatory sport: the fighters win or lose a bout, much like Karate or Judo.

 

Equipment

Since the 1990s, an increasing number of companies have offered replicas of historical arms and armour. Blade weapons used for combat reenactment are unsharpened, and specialized sparring weapons have rounded points. Blunt, flail and staff weapons are more problematic since the replica essentially has the same effectiveness as the original version, unless rattan or latex weapons are employed, which in turn lack the characteristics of the originals and induce handling techniques inconsistent with the weapons they are supposed to represent.

There have been many isolated examples of medieval reenactment in Europe, notably the Eglinton Tournament of 1839. In modern times, medieval reenactment has been popular in the United Kingdom, starting in the late 1960s and growing every year since, with groups from all over England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales participating in events. Many UK battles are reenacted at their original battle sites by enthusiasts with a high degree of authenticity, together with Medieval traders, musicians, caterers. UK reenactors can be seen throughout the country during the summer months at battles, fairs, carnivals, fetes, pubs and schools.

Almost entirely throughout the UK, reenactors use blunted steel weapons for reenactments and rubber tipped arrows (blunts) for archers, or steel heads when target shooting. The largest early medieval event in the UK is the Battle of Hastings reenactment.. Most UK battles have at some point been reenactedand manyl are reenacted annually, including the Battle of Bannockburn, and battles from the Wars of the Roses such as the Battle of Bosworth Field and the Battle of Tewkesbury.

In France there is an annual reenactment of the Battle of Agincourt representing a battle of the Hundred Years War.

Reenactment of Medieval Tournaments

In Germany medieval reenactment is usually associated with living history and renaissance faires, but in the past few years combat reenactment has gained some ground as well. A few groups are training historical combat such as longsword dueling and dussack fighting at universities, but the majority of combat reenactment groups are battlefield reenactment groups, some of which have become isolated to some degree because of a strong focus on authenticity. Among many battlefield reenactors in Germany, the Codex Belli has become a de-facto standard.

Groups from Eastern Europe, especially Hungary, are said to practice much more dangerous forms of battlefield reenactment, sometimes with sharp edges and points as well as metal arrow heads and an overall higher acceptance of the risk of injury posed by these dangers. This more risky, although more realistic, form of reenactment is apparently also practiced in former East Germany.

In Poland, the Battle of Grunwald reenactment every year on 15 July is the best known and attracts participants and visitors from many other countries. It is associated with living history and a medieval fair.

 

Jousting Photographs

Summer volume of the Breviary of Renaud Marguerite de Bar, Metz ca. 1302-1305. Verdun, Bibliothèque municipale, ms. 107, fol. 141v

Water jousting (still practiced today in the Languedoc, France) Manuscript Besançon BM MS.677 Fleurs des chroniques Folio 084r Dating 1384-1400 From Paris, France Bibliothèque municipale de Besançon

Richard III's Cavalry Charge at Bosworth Re-enactment 2013

Modern Jousting

15th C. MS. Ashmole 764 Showing the style of jousting armour and use of identifying crests

 

 

 

Some Useful Links

• Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
• Medieval Reenactment
• The Campfire Reenactment forum from Britannia
• Ede's Medieval Reenactment for hobbyists who reenact the middle ages
• HistRenact A huge Reenactment database of information on websites, events, links, sellers
• Living History A resource site for reenactors and Forum
• The Scriptorium a site dedicated to all things medieval, from recipes, heraldry to re-enactment groups and suppliers
• Early Medieval Alliance
• Reenactor.net

 

 

 

Events

• Azincourt Alliance The reenactment of the famous battle of Agincourt 1415
• Bannockburn, Coity, Oystermouth, Tatton The Plantaganet Events
• Berkley Skirmish at Berkley Castle
• Medieval Boot Camp out of season get together and training without the public
• Reenactment Events A listing of Reenactment events

 

 

 

Re-enactment fairs and Markets

• Historic Traders Association
• International Living History Fayre Reenactors Market
• Oyster Fayre Medieval Fayre with a variety of entertainments
• Snailwell Medieval Fayre Annual Medieval Fayre and Market
• Soutares ond Clerces Historical Market
• Medieval Fayre and Battle 

 

 

Equipment, Arms and Armour Manufacturers

• Andy Burke Historical Footwear
• Arbalist Armoury bows by Nick Winter and crossbows by Robin Knight
• Armis Heraldics Heraldic Banners by Gerald Ye Herald
• Bowstock Leatherworking and leatherworking tools
• Busy Mole Music Makers of small harps, lyres and psalteries
• Cap-à-Pie Authentic Medieval Maille
• Cloak'd and Daggered Cloaks and period clothing from a specialist UK cloak maker
• Replica Crossbow World manufacturer of fully functional historical crossbows
• DIY Archery for people who like to shoot what they have built
• First Class Mail Makers and Suppliers of Riveted Mail for re-enactors, museums and interpretors
• Grunal Moneta authentic-style hammered coins, from Greek to the English Civil War and travelling mint
• Herts Specialist Fabrics Supplier of cloth to the Historical Re-enactment World
• Hector Cole Ironwork medieval arrowsmithing and ironworking
• Kats Hats Headdresses from the 13-15th Centuries
• Lancasters Armoury High quality Weapons and Armour for full contact combat
• Mcleod Armour Made to order Armour specialising in the 14th Century
• Period Glasses for the Medieval Reenactor
• Shadowlight Designs Fine medieval clothing
• St George Productions US manufacturer of garters

 

 

Historical Information, Websites, Sites and Museums

• Abandoned Communities, communities abandoned through time
• Anglo Norman Castles Guides to UK castles
• Armour Archive on-line Journal devoted to teaching people how to make armour
• Battle Field Guides The guild for guide to battle field sites
• Brass Rubbings collection at Hamline University
• British Battlefields Detailed information on battles of britain including location maps
• British History Online medieval and modern history of the British Isles
• British Library online collection of medieval manuscripts and art
• Calendar of Patent Rolls - Searchable for Edward I, II, III, Henry III, IV, V, VI, Richard II
• Castles and Fortifications of England and Wales
• Castle Explorer for England, Wales and Scotland
• Castles of Britain Information on where to visit and even stay or banquet in a castle
• The Churches Conservation Trust- looking after the redundant Church of England Churches
• Clash of Steel for military history enthusiasts
• Current Archaeology Britain's favourite Archaeology magazine
• Edward II Forum discussion on the reign of Edward II and 14th century history
• English Monarchs and Scottish Monarchs, their biographies and residences
• Guedelon constructing a 13th Century Medieval Castle
• History Today in print since 1951 and online archives since 1980
• history.uk.com
• Internet Archive Online archive of a variety of media types including books
• Marc Carlson's homepage with some good articles on medieval shoes and clothing
• myArmoury.com A resource for Historic Arms and Armour Collectors
• New Archaeology Archaeology articles and resources covering a wide range of archaeological topics
• Osprey Publishing A good series of books covering all aspects of medieval warfare
• Oxford University Manuscripts Collection digital copies of manuscripts
•  NetSERF: The Internet Connection for Medieval Resources
• Royal Amouries a huge collection of Medieval arms and armour
• The Simon de Montfort Society The history of Simon de Montfort
• The Soldier in Later Medieval England a searcheable database of soldierg from 1369 to 1453
• Statute Laws of England listed chronologically
• Vidimus Vidimus medieval Stained Glass On line Free Magazine
• Wallace Collection large London collection of Medieval weapons and armour
• Wales National Library contains a collection of online medieval manuscripts

 

 

Reenactment Groups

• Anmod Dracan Viking to 14th Century reenactment group based in North East England
• Black Ravens Australian based 14th Century focused reenactment group
• Bob Bannister Archery Medieval Archers
• British Plate Armour Society 14th and 15th Century Reenactment
• The Companions of the Crow Medieval reenactment group
• Company of Chivalry 14th Century Medieval Renenactment from 1370
• Cosmeston Manor Archers, Archery group based at Cosmeston Medieval Village
• Devon Medieval Combat Alliance, South West England Based Reenactment group
• The Erpyngham Retinue Medieval reneactment group
• Freemen of Gwent 14th Century group based in south Wales
• Gaddgedlar 14th-16th Century Reenactent in Scotland
• Harlech Medieval Society Welsh based Reenactment
• House of the Black Star based in Whittington Castle, Shropshire, 1240-1350
• Knights in Battle Sheffield based reenactment group
• The Knights of Honour Medieval reenactment group
• Knights of Longshank re-enacting the 14th and 15th Century, based in North West England
• Knights of the Northern Realm A Canadian Medieval Combat group with a strong emphasis on accurate 14th Century armour
• Knights of Skirbeck Reenactment group based in Boston, UK
• Milites Alraunae A polish based historical fencing group
• Paladins of Chivalry 14th Century reenactment group
• Phoenix Company Medieval Re-enactment, Reenactment group based in New Zealand
• Plantagenet Medieval Society re-enacting scenes from the Medieval period
• Plymouth Medieval Society the society spans the period 1380 to 1485
• The Poor Knights of St. Dysmas Medieval reenactment group
• The Sons of the Dragon 14th Century and hundred years war group baesd in Wales
• Team Falchion 14th Century reenactment group based in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire
• Tournee Recreating the age of Chivalry, 1300-1350

 

 

Jousting Groups

• Destrier late 15th Century horse displays
• The Devils Horseman horse stunt diaplay team with Gerard Naprous
• The Independent Horse a medieval show for a modern day family
• Knights of Middle England Medieval Jousting and stunt/trick riding
• Knights of Royal England medieval jousting
• Knights of the Damned jousting stunt team

 

 

Field Archery

• Wye Valley Archery Centre Field Archery Centre

 

 

 

Reenactment public liability Insurance

• Re-enactor insurance - from Re-enactorguard. A specialist policy created specifically for re-enactors, Re-enactorguard offers great value insurance for costumes and props, with public liability and in vehicle options.. The website gives instant quotes and you can also take out instant cover online.

 

 

Entertainers

• Barney Bay juggling cabaret
• Capriole and A Companye of Strangers, medieval singers, musicians and dancers who have performed at many banquets for the MCS
• Circus Malabaristas Uk Entertainers with a wide range of Medieval acts
• CJ's Birds of Prey display team
• Devilstick Peat The complete fool 
• Falconry Displays demonstrations with birds of prey
• Hawk Experience birds of prey handling and display
• Huxleys Bird of Prey Centre and Garden including falconry displays
• Lumina period and contemporary music, song and entertainment
• Medieval World jousting and live medieval entertainment
• Raphael Falconry professional historial falconers
• Raptorcare Falconry authentic to 14th century falconry
• Street Entertainers a diverse range of performers from street theatre to circus
• Tarot The Jester medieval jester juggler, stiltwalker, magician and fire eater, performs at banquets and other events
• Topper juggler/unicyclist performing all juggling skills, including knives and fire
• Trouvère costumed band of medieval minstrels presenting songs, music, storytelling and dance
• Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display displays of falconry
• countyfetes

 

 

Advertise Or Find Events Near You

• Innocent Village Fete Finder

 

 

 

Medieval Sites and Venues

• Country Parks, Find country parks
• Farnham Castle, Surrey, a 12th Century castle catering for weddings and corporate events
• Halls To Hire
• Historic Royal Palaces
• History and Heritage Accomodation Guide
• Stansted Mountfitchet Castle an 11th Century Norman Motte and Bailey

 

 

Medieval Education

• Discovering Medieval Interactive history schools, mueums, historical sites and events
• Tabulae online listing of resources for the heritage and education industries

 

 

 

Food and Drink

• Bad Wolf Pig Roast Company Pig Roasts and other foods
• Drunken Monk, Mead, wine, beer, spirits
• Feast and Banquet Service banquet catering for a variety of functions
• Gode Cookery Medieval Cookery
• Historic Food Courses and Recipes
• The Hog Roast Hire Company Oxfordshire based with a variety of options for hire of Hog Roasts
• Lurgashall Winery, Domesday Mead and other wines
• martinsjerkedmeat
• Medieval Banquets - banquet company that will come to you
• S & M Butchers Essex based Hogroast or Lambroast for hire, they cook, carve and serve the hog/lamb at a time of your choice
• Spitroast - Surrey based and can deliver ready to cook
• Vitis Wines, mead, cider and ale

 

 

Other Links

• SALUTE Wargaming Convention of the South London Warlords
• Outlands SCA group