L

iving History is a "snap shot" into a period of history.

At public displays and other events we often portray ourselves in the correct historical setting for the period that we are portraying. This is usually as a medieval retinue (knights, men-at-arms, attendants and family) with a full 14th century campsite including period tents, camp furniture, cooking equipment and other essentials at a jousting display.

It can involve the accurate portrayal of just a single activity or a range of activities allowing people to experience long forgotten crafts and skills - providing us with some idea of what life in the Middle Ages may have been really like. All items of costume, armour and equipment used by our living history team are required to be as close to actual historical examples as possible in terms of both visual appearance and functionality. These are copied from surviving examples whenever possible. If these are not available then the item is based on researching secondary sources such as period drawings.

We do not allow the use of obviously modern materials such as artificial fibres, aluminum or plastics. Instead we concentrate on unbleached linen, wool and leather for items of medieval costume and natural materials for other items.

One thing that we have found from Living History is just how practical medieval clothing and campsite equipment actually was - we have lived in relative comfort in our campsite in all extremes of weather.

While participation in our Living History side is not mandatory, we take great pride in it. As we develop into other periods of cavalry re-enactment, we may also form Living History aspects to those as well.