Issue 37 February The Mediaeval Babes in Concert at Hereford Cathedral in December 2011 Photographs by Pat Patrick http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/
Mar 22, 2016
Issue 37 February
The Mediaeval Babes in Concert at Hereford Cathedral in December 2011
Photographs by Pat Patrick
http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/
Mediaeval Babes in Concert
Mediaeval Babes in Concert
Mediaeval Babes in Concert
Pictures by Pat Patrick
Features This Month 1: Time line Festival, Australia
2: Competition No.1
3: Book Reviews-The Historical Novel Soc.
4: Event Listings
5: Dreamcatcher review with Tony Angelo
Interview with Katherine Ashe
Greetings All
Here’s to 2012!
I sincerely wish you all a fabulous New
Year and hope that you all have a wonderful
re-enactment season!
In December I was at Hereford Cathedral to
listen to The Medieaval Baebes in concert,
the event was well attended and
appreciated. Do have a look at their website
(see front cover) to find out more
information about the group.
The week after the concert I started my new
job at Hampton Court Castle & Gardens in
Herefordshire which I have to admit is
something of a dream job for me and I am
eager to really get to work there!
Congratulations to the all of the lucky
winner of last month’s two competitions.
There were a good number of entries, so
thank you for taking the time to enter. Your
prizes will be with you soon!
I have added a few more groups and traders
so check out the listings attached along with
this magazine-BUT I still want more, so
please do let everyone know that this
magazine is around and after their
information.
Also, please keep your stories and articles
coming as I have plenty of space to fill.
Please contact me at the normal email
address with details!
Editor.
Competitions:
All competitions are free to enter
Winners will be selected at random on the 24th
of
each month for the relevant competition.
Winners will be notified via email shortly after
the draw takes place.
No correspondence will be entered into.
The editor’s decision is final.
The views and opinions expressed in the articles in
this ezine are those of the individual authors
themselves and not those of the Editor To receive a copy of this magazine just send
your email address to:
A Napoleonic Battle at Timeline Festival
Are my eyes and ears deceiving me?! It is November 2011 and yet the streets of Berwick,
Victoria in Australia echo with the crash of sword on sword, the booming of cannons, the
splintering of jousting lance on shield and the twang of longbows releasing their arrows. This
can only mean one thing…. The Timeline Festival has arrived in town again. This
entertaining and educational event is one of the largest re-enactment events in Australia and
consists of specific re-enactment events from different eras in history combined with market
stalls, children’s events and educational displays. This year’s participants included Ancient
Greek Warriors, Roman Legionnaires, Vikings, Medieval Knights, British and French
Napoleonic Infantry with the Hussars, American Civil War combatants, Trappers and
Colonials. There were displays of WWI and WWII paraphernalia and several craftsmen,
such as blacksmiths, all creating and plying their wares. Events like these are a fantastic
opportunity to talk to people who have researched history and learn about your heritage and
included the largest private museum collection of Viking and Medieval artefacts in the
Southern Hemisphere.
One of the major drawcard for spectators were the mounted displays on horseback by Nova
Hollandia and D Troop 15th Hussars, which took the form of skill-at-arms events (involving
riders portraying combatants from different eras), jousting, cavalry involvement in battle re-
enactment and the events piece de resistance- a pitched battle between the D Troop Kings
Own 15th Dragoons (Hussars), 42
nd Royal Highland, 95
th Rifle Regiment and the French
Forces consisting of the 21eme de Ligne and Militia force provided by the Blue and the Grey
in a Napoleonic Tour De Force…..
It is 1815. The tyrant and Emperor Napoleon has seen his final defeat at Waterloo and the
Victorious Allied forces are sweeping towards Paris to put the rightful French King back on
the throne. On the battlefield, the remnants of the once mighty French Imperial Armie present
a last ditch defence of a proud Republic. Hungry, weary and with no retreat the French forces
gather together to defend to the last drop of blood.
From the British Army line there now approaches an English vedette, scouts from the main
British force. These two soldiers from 15th
Kings Light Dragoons, noble Hussars, spy the
camp and make maps and notes on the French strength and deployment.
The remnants of the mighty 21eme
regiment de infantry, a proud and well trained regiment of
Line infantry also rally to the defence. They form in line to present their muskets towards the
British soldiers.
On comes the thunder of hooves and 15th Hussars commence a cavalry charge. The French
form a defensive infantry square and the cavalry are forced to retreat been unable to break the
square. The elated the French rejoice while reforming their line and letting loose another
musket volley. And again, on come the gallant English Hussars, but again the French hold
their square forcing the Hussars to retreat in a hail of musket fire. A third time the Hussars
charge the infantry and this time they break the square and the French soldiers and militia
retreat to the safety of their forti cations.
But then, the French Cavalry enter the battle, riding to the aid of their foot soldiers. They line
up to face the Hussars, these brave Frenchmen who fought Blucher in Prussia, Nicholas in the
icy wastes of Russia and Wellington in Spain and Belgium. They charge the Hussars and
there is the clash of sabre on sabre. Equally matched they regroup and then charge again, with
the French Cavalry finally gaining the upper hand.
When defeat seems imminent for the allies there is a sound of gunfire as the British infantry
enter the fray. The French Cavalry charge them and the 95th Rifles, the best shots of the
British army, take aim and fire at the Frenchmen. The brave 42nd
Highland Regiment also
enter the battle and the French Cavalry are routed.
Now the cannon enter the fray, and men are struck down in droves, with the gunners from
both sides reloading and firing again and again. Gunsmoke drifts across the battlefield.
Once the cannons are spent, the 21eme
emerge from behind their fortifications to face the
enemy! The 95th
and the 42nd
begin the march forward to engage the enemy. Each man now
faces volley after volley from enemy muskets. Now with fearful resolve the bullets are
exchanged for bayonets, hot lead gives way to cold steel! On come the British, shoulder to
shoulder. The British reminded of home, of the years of suffering abroad, of home and warm
beds and hope to finally finish this long war with one last push, the French are fighting to
defend their homes, wives and children. At last, however, the desperate defenders give way
and the French wall is breached and France finally falls to the English! Down with Napoleon!
Up with the Union Jack! Up with the King!
This staged battled illustrates what was the last ditch defence of France by a mixture of
soldiery and citizen militia. The might of Napoleon was finally broken, and from that day
forth the French monarchy regained the throne Paris was taken and Napoleon exiled again
never to return.
Re-enactment events like these are an important link to the past- they enable participants to
learn and practice traditional skills like swordplay, military riding and the manufacture of
traditional apparel and gear but they also offer a three dimensional lesson and insight into an
earlier era when life was different and there are lessons to be learnt about honour,
comradeship, chivalry and also- sometimes- the great tragedy of war. They also provide a
living memorial to the brave men (and sometimes women) that fought so hard and valiantly
for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy to this day. They helped, in their way, to create the
future we now live in.
HUSSAR!
Written by Chase Ellis
D Troop 15th Kings Light Dragoons (Hussars)
Honorary Colonel-in-Chief: Bernard Cornwell
Part of the World Wide Cooperative of 15th Hussar Units
www.15thhussars.com www.dtroop15thhussars.com
Competition One
The first time Annie Sweet sees 43
Stanley Road, the house is so perfect she
almost feels as though it has chosen
her. She can’t wait to move in, but with
her husband seeming more distant, and
her daughter wrapped up in her friends
and new school, Annie is left alone to
mull over the past.
She soon becomes consumed by the
house and everyone who has lived there
before her, especially a young chorus girl
called Lily Painter, a rising star of the
music hall whose sparkling performances
were the talk of the town.
As Annie delves further into Lily’s past she begins to unravel a dark episode
from Edwardian London, that of two notorious baby farmers, who lured young
unmarried mothers with the promise of a better life for their babies. Until
Annie solves the mystery at the heart of the scandal, the ghost of Lily Painter
will never be able to rest.
Based on a real period from London’s rich history, Caitlin Davies skilfully
blends fact and fiction to bring to life part of our sinister past. Spanning an
entire century, from the journals of an Edwardian police inspector to a doomed
WW2 love affair, and with a fleet of extraordinary characters, the Ghost of Lily
Painter is an engrossing and poignant novel from a hugely talented writer.
I have 5 copies of this book to give away Visit: http://authors.simonandschuster.co.uk/Caitlin-Davies/46557152 and answer this question: Q: What is the name of the book by Caitlin Davies that was published in September 2009
Send your answer for this month’s competitions along with your full postal
address to: [email protected] before February 24th
2012 to be in
with a chance of winning!
Book Reviews
BELOVED PILGRIM
Nan Hawthorne, Shield-Wall Books, 2011, $14.35, pb, 284pp, 9780983398509
Set against the vividly realized backdrop of the disastrous crusade of 1101, Hawthorne's
latest medieval historical novel consistently broadens and subverts the very categories it
invokes. This is the story of young noblewoman Elisabeth von Winterkirche, who trains as a
warrior alongside her brother Elias and his squire (and lover) Albrecht—until Elias dies and
Elisabeth is confronted with the normal role of a 12th-century high-born woman: loveless
betrothal and joyless marriage, in her case to a brutish local baron. She opts instead for a
strategy right out of medieval legend (not to mention Shakespeare): she dons her brother's
armor and goes off to the Crusades herself, disguised as a young man.
“Could a woman wield a sword and fight alongside trained knights on destriers?”
Hawthorne asks, then answers (with more personal assurance than historical support), “Of
course she could,” and some of the most entertaining parts of this novel involve Elisabeth
doing just that. But the book's main emphasis is on love, not war: Elisabeth quickly finds that,
like her brother, she's attracted to her own gender. “Love is love,” she declares, “Pleasure is
pleasure. I don't care what anyone says.” Readers who might wonder if things were really that
simple nine centuries ago would do well to remember that Hawthorne is writing fiction—and
quite good fiction at that. -- Steve Donoghue
BEYOND ALL PRICE
Carolyn Poling Schriber, Katzenhaus Books, 2010, $14.95/£9.65, pb, 343pp, 9780982774502
To escape a life of poverty, 23-year-old Nellie Chase volunteers as a nurse with the
100th Pennsylvania Roundhead Regiment during the American Civil War. Although she has
no formal nursing experience, Nellie's character and skills quickly convince Colonel Daniel
Leasure to promote her to regiment matron in charge of assisting doctors and overseeing
other female volunteers. Nellie faithfully serves with the Roundheads until gossip and illness
force her to leave her post. She volunteers for the New York Highlanders and, through a
subsequent series of jobs, eventually becomes head matron of a 600-bed Tennessee hospital.
Based on the actual life of Nellie M. Chase, Beyond All Price is as thoroughly researched
as the gaps in Chase's life permit. Combining facts, historical figures, and quotes from
contemporary documents, the novel reads more like an interesting history than a fast-paced
work of fiction—readers interested in women's roles during the Civil War will enjoy it. --
Laura Lloyd
For other reviews on other books why not visit:
http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/
Original Artwork by Karen Sarkar
Re-enactor artist Karen Sarkar is currently working on a new project, which celebrates 15th
Century re-enactors and re-enactment. This original and appealing idea features evocative
pencil portraits of various subjects, capturing the essence and enthusiasm of re-enactors.
Karen has recently met with Richard Mackinder, Operations Manager of the Bosworth
Battlefield & Heritage Centre, and arranged an exhibition of this work there next year. The
exhibition will be held over a two week period, including the Bosworth re-enactment weekend
next August. This is likely to preceed a bigger exhibition in 2013, which will also see
publication of a new Bosworth book, endorsed by the Centre, by Karen's re-enactor husband,
the author and professional historian Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS.
Karen is now inviting commissions in oil, pastel and pencil, from re-enactors at very
reasonable prices. It is possible that some of this commissioned work could be included in the
forthcoming exhibitions, brochures and book, and reproduced as prints - thus increasing
interest in and value of the original artworks concerned. Details of prices can be found on
Karen's website: www.karensarkarart.com, or for more information please call the artist
on 01905 420441 .
“Melee” by Karen Sarkar (prints available for purchase)
A New Forum for all
things Pirate!
Meet other Pirates
Event Information
Tall Tales
Traders
Pirate History
Check out the website for
more information!
www.forums.pyrates.co.uk
Archers Review
This is a website, run for and by archers with
a thirst for knowledge. Our extensive
collection of reviews is split in to a number
of sections to make it easy for you to find
what you are interested in
Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real
archers interested in the best archery
suppliers have to offer. In our search for the
very best bow, arrows and equipment we
have shot, used and worn pretty much
everything on offer.
We value feedback from users and suppliers
and are keen to hear from you if you wish to
contact us about anything on the website.
Website: www.archers-review.com
Email: [email protected]
The
Mortimer History Society
Spring Conference
May 12th
2012
The Earl Mortimer College
Leominster, Herefordshire.
Marc Morris will be hosting a lively
and interactive discussion on King
Edward I, Simon de Montfort & Prince
Llewelyn.
He will be joined by representatives
from historical groups and other
authors to discuss aspects of the three
men.
For more details
www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk
The Festival of History
Kelmarsh Hall
Northamptonshire, UK
July 14th
& 15th
2012
Visitors immerse themselves in 2000
years of England's past during the
Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall,
Northamptonshire, presented by
English Heritage. The event features
everything from falconry, jousting
displays and battle re-enactments to
music, dance and ale.
The Historical Writers Association
will also be there with various talks
and meet the author sessions
throughout the weekend.
http://www.kelmarsh.com/
Event Information
February
24th
– 26th The International Living Fair, Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth, Leceistershire, UK
http://www.pikeandshot.com/index-ilhf.html
25th
& 26th
“SWASH”, The Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?ei ... 5050754631
26th
1940s market and entertainments at the Winding Wheel Chesterfield, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
March
3rd
& 4th
Historia Originata, Rheged Centre Penrith, UK
www.historiaoriginata.co.uk
16th
– 18th The Original Re-Enactors Market (TORM) Ryton on Dunsmore, UK, CV8 3FL
http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/
May 6
th & 7
th, Fortress Wales, Margam Copuntry Park, Port Talbot, Wales
http://www.webster.uk.net/HistoryAndCulture/Re-enactmentWW2SWB/FortressWalesShowInformation.aspx
12th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK
www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk/
12th
& 13th
Multi-era Grand Historical Bazaar, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts. UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
12th
& 13th
Victorian Weekend, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
12th
&13th The Cressing Temple Fayre, Cressing Temple, UK
www.templars-fayre.co.uk
26th
& 27th
les medievales de CHAUCONIN-NEUFMONTIERS
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241449812568063
June
2nd
& 3rd
De Quaeye Werelt, Sterckshof, Belgium
http://www.delegendevzw.be/
2nd
& 3rd
Chester Roman Festival 2012, Chester, UK
Email: [email protected]
9th Boerderij aan de Giessen, Grotewaard 38, Noordeloos, Netherlands
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158081454283009¬if_t=event_invite
16th
& 17th
Tatton Park Medieval Fair
http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/
23rd
& 24th
Wartime Clumber (1940s event), Clumber Park, Notts, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
23rd
& 24th
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park, Yorkshire, UK
www.mitlivinghistory.co.uk
30th
&1st Medieval Festival, Harewood House, Yorkshire, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
July
14th
& 15th
The Battle of Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury, UK
http://www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/
14th
& 15th
The Festival of History, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, UK
http://www.kelmarsh.com/
22nd
The Battle of Salamanca, 200th anniversary
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=183242878392002¬if_t=event_invite
21st & 22
nd Berkeley Skirmish, Berkeley castle, Gloucestershire, UK
http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/
21st & 22
nd The Battle of Azincourt, Azincourt, France.
http://www.azincourt-alliance.org.uk/
28th
& 29th
Tournement of Walraversijde, Belgium
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=252511704798690¬if_t=event_invite
August
10th
– 14th Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood Forest, Notts, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
13th
& 14th
Lincoln Castle Medieval Market, UK
http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/Events.html
September
8th & 9
th EMA weekend at Caldicot Castle, wales
http://www.theema.co.uk/
8th & 9
th On the Home Front 1939-45, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
15th
& 16th
The Battle of Mortimer’s Cross, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK
www.mortimerscross.co.uk
22nd
& 23rd
Wimpole at War (1940s event), The Wimpole Estate, Cambs, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
29th
& 30th
Sherwood through the Ages multi-period, Sherwood Forest, Nott, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
October
6th & 7
th Hughenden’s Wartime Weekend, Hughenden Manor, Bucks, UK
www.eventplan.co.uk
November
24th
& 25th
The Ludlow Castle Medieval Christmas Fair, Ludlow, Shropshire
http://www.ludlowcastle.com/
Dreamcatcher Review with Tony Angelo
Interview: Katherine Ashe
Tell me a little bit about your life?
I was born in Hollywood where my father was a screenwriter for Cecil B. deMille.
Research fascinated me, My father would tell me fascinating things of the historical
background of the films he was working on -- deMille supplied excellent advisers to his
writers, but they looked upon the advisers as chiefly hampering their stories. (Chief Rain-in-
the-Face, adviser for "Unconquered," was called by the writers "Chief Stick-in-the-Mud.") I
think my love of history comes from what didn't get into my father's films.
When did you start to write?
I began life as a painter. When I was five my parents summoned me to serious conference
in the living room -- I remember this vividly, my little legs and feet were sticking straight out
from the couch. They told me that my ability to draw seemed exceptional and they wanted to
get a proper artists set for me: should it be oils or water colors? I asked what oils were and
they said they were colors done up like toothpaste tubs. I said i would probably get them in
my hair. They got me the oils anyway.
Who Inspires you?
By the age of 18 I was showing in two New York galleries simultaneously: the Braverman
Gallery and the Dorsky gallery, being too naive to know one was supposed to be exclusively
with just one gallery at a time. But not to worry, both galleries went out of business before
my one-person shows were scheduled to open.
Curious about why people would pay so much for a work of art, I stopped painting and turned
to writing books on Chinese art to be able to look at the collecting impulse objectively.
That led me to an interest in China, and in the early 1970s, in the throes of an impulse for
"peace through trade." I researched where China was falling behind in its 5-year programs.
An so it was that I came to found a company to work with Agway to sell quick-frozen bull
sperm to the Inner Mongolian Grasslands Institute. Unfortunately, the Chinese embraced the
idea, but contacted the Texas Cattle Breeders Association, which was rather better known in
the business than I was.
After a fine art print publishing business of mine was perfectly timed to the collapse of the
fine art print market, I turned back to writing books. Licking my wounds over the demise of
my fine art company, I was writing a book about fairies when, in the course of my research
about Salisbury Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1258, I discovered Simon de Montfort.
That began a project of writing that has lasted from 1977 to the present.
During those 34 years I also wrote plays, screenplays, and then radio plays for my own radio
theater company, Jefferson Radio Theater, which was funded with state grant money, with
production through public radio stations WJFF and WVIA.
What are you working on now?
My current aim is to get The Fairy Garden into print at last. But I've also begun research
for a sequel to Montfort, on Edward I and, possibly, Simon's son, Guy de Montfort.
Amazing live, thanks for sharing it with me and all of our readers .
Tony Angelo Taliaferro
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Virtuoso Books and
Dreamcatcher Multimedia
Vice President of Marketing MLR Publishers
Need a book publisher, editor,
distributor or an e-Book converter?
: write www.mlrpublishers.com
www.vivirtuosobooks.com or
www.dreamcatchermultimedia.com
www.tonyangelowriter.com