The Re-Enactor Issue 50 April 2013 Issue 49 March The Crabchurch Conspiracy, Weymouth Beach 2013
The Re-Enactor, magazine, Issue 50
Mar 10, 2016
Monthly worldwide magazine aimed at Re-enactors by re-enactors.
Welcome message from author
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Transcript
The Re-Enactor Issue 50 April 2013
Issue 49 March
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth Beach 2013
The walk will take place between April 28th
amp May 5th
Parlimentarians at The Crab Church Conspiracy
By Marloes Vissar
Features This Month 1 Historical Role Depiction D Nievas Munoz 2 Book Review-The Historical Novel Soc
3 The MHS Spring Conference
4 Book Review by Maureen James
5 Event Information
6 Threekingham LH Competition
7 The Crabchurch Conspiracy
Greetings All
The weather in the UK is playing havoc
with a few events The Battle of Towton
Commemorative event has just had to be
cancelled and even Hastings which doesnrsquot
happen until October has already been
cancelled I can only hope that it improves
I am due to be at Glastonbury Abbey over
the Easter Weekend but will be keeping an
eye on the weather and waiting to hear from
the organizers
I would like to say a huge thank you to
David Nievas Munoz and Marloes Vissar
for their excellent articles in this monthrsquos
issue If you have something you would like
to see published please do get in contact
There is no competition this month due to
time constraints on my part but if anyone
has something they would like to contribute
as a prize do get in contact
The events listings are starting to fill up but
please do let me know of any others that are
happening near you
Please send all correspondence to the
following email address
thereenactorbtinternetcom
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 editorrsquos 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
Note If you have any questions
queries thoughts or ideas for and
about the magazine please do feel
free to contact me and we can discuss
them
To receive a copy of this magazine just send
your email address to
thereenactorbtinternetcom
Historical re-enactment and Historical roles depiction by David Nievas Muntildeoz
Introduction
Several months ago I wrote an article called ldquonew horizons for the Spanish (and Global) re-
enactmentrdquo which has been translated into two idioms and waits to be in a third published in
on-line magazines of worldwide diffusion as ldquoThe Re-Enactor Magazinerdquo or ldquoMiddle ages
todayrdquo In that article or more precisely one of its points I talked about a concept that I
believe passes unnoticed in the Spanish re-enactments and in which I want to insist the
historical role-play or character depiction But whatrsquos historical role-play
Years ago when I didnrsquot know about re-enactment world rather than viewing photos my
imagination flew Maybe because Ive been a role player since my teens (Irsquom proud of that) or
maybe because my academic formation as historian and my passion for History itself in all
the depths of this concept (from kings to peasants from mindsets to political storylines) I
believed that re-enactment was something different Quite different It felt logic in fact that
so be it My thinking was as follows the re-enactor when travelling to a particular place
prepares mentally to mark a before and an after ldquoTomorrow Irsquoll get up being Jean de
Tassigny crossbowman of Joan of Arcrsquos armyrdquo
That digression implies much more than just saying this words Itrsquos about thinking as Jean
did talk like him eat as he ate and treat the other re-enactors as a man of the XV century
did regarding his own personality his tastes his quirks his own lights and shadows In sum
to portray a character in its own complexity being at the same time a reflex of its own time
and personality Humans have a most diverse behaviour and this must be reflected in
historical re-enactment in a way that could be educational for visitors but also exciting for
fellow re-enactors
In battle dying could be funny an a way for interacting with fellow re-enactors
The story of Jean de Tassigny
As an example to what I wrote here comes an example Pierre is a 40 years old programmer
that re-enacts as hobby He likes history and hersquos on a re-enactment group that portrays a
French infantry company in the Hundred Years War specially the early XVth century period
Before buying their clothing and re-enactment equipment he thought about his character He
decided naming it ldquoJean de Tassignyrdquo remembering that French officer who fought in both
world wars The rest of his group mates portrayed knights or heavy infantrymen so he
decided to portray a crossbowman Then he read about crossbowmen and about many other
things he read about XVth Century about how the Frenchmen of this age affronted live and
dead When he was youth Pierre sang in a choral so he researched about XVth century
music and learned several songs
When Pierre designed Jeanrsquos outfit obviously he documented himself about how an early
XVth century French crossbowman dress but he wanted to give a personal touch to his attire
Jean his character was a man who liked to wear gaudy clothes as he saw in some paintings
and miniatures He also decided to whore a scapular because Jean had a devotion for the
virginrsquos advocation of his hometown (the same in which the grandparents of Pierre lived in
real live) because Pierre was very devout and superstitious and because of that he would bear
a rabbitrsquos foot along with his paternoster Yet the still the most important subject to design
his character in all its depth He thought about where he born who where his parents how he
was enlisted and many other details he thought about that could be a good idea to portray the
son a humble peasants that entered in the mesnie of the landlord He thought about his
personality too in his speech and his behaviour with others As he thought earlier he decided
to mean Jean a superstitious man and devout although simple in treatment and friend to his
friends A man who used to sign songs while burnished his armour sacked some English
corpses or spent his pay in wine and whores He realized that could be very funny So in this
way Pierre designed his character and he will be delighted to portray it In re-enactment he
wanted to role-play Jean de Tassigny as much as he can Nevertheless it was his character
and it had been designed at his own taste
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
The walk will take place between April 28th
amp May 5th
Parlimentarians at The Crab Church Conspiracy
By Marloes Vissar
Features This Month 1 Historical Role Depiction D Nievas Munoz 2 Book Review-The Historical Novel Soc
3 The MHS Spring Conference
4 Book Review by Maureen James
5 Event Information
6 Threekingham LH Competition
7 The Crabchurch Conspiracy
Greetings All
The weather in the UK is playing havoc
with a few events The Battle of Towton
Commemorative event has just had to be
cancelled and even Hastings which doesnrsquot
happen until October has already been
cancelled I can only hope that it improves
I am due to be at Glastonbury Abbey over
the Easter Weekend but will be keeping an
eye on the weather and waiting to hear from
the organizers
I would like to say a huge thank you to
David Nievas Munoz and Marloes Vissar
for their excellent articles in this monthrsquos
issue If you have something you would like
to see published please do get in contact
There is no competition this month due to
time constraints on my part but if anyone
has something they would like to contribute
as a prize do get in contact
The events listings are starting to fill up but
please do let me know of any others that are
happening near you
Please send all correspondence to the
following email address
thereenactorbtinternetcom
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 editorrsquos 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
Note If you have any questions
queries thoughts or ideas for and
about the magazine please do feel
free to contact me and we can discuss
them
To receive a copy of this magazine just send
your email address to
thereenactorbtinternetcom
Historical re-enactment and Historical roles depiction by David Nievas Muntildeoz
Introduction
Several months ago I wrote an article called ldquonew horizons for the Spanish (and Global) re-
enactmentrdquo which has been translated into two idioms and waits to be in a third published in
on-line magazines of worldwide diffusion as ldquoThe Re-Enactor Magazinerdquo or ldquoMiddle ages
todayrdquo In that article or more precisely one of its points I talked about a concept that I
believe passes unnoticed in the Spanish re-enactments and in which I want to insist the
historical role-play or character depiction But whatrsquos historical role-play
Years ago when I didnrsquot know about re-enactment world rather than viewing photos my
imagination flew Maybe because Ive been a role player since my teens (Irsquom proud of that) or
maybe because my academic formation as historian and my passion for History itself in all
the depths of this concept (from kings to peasants from mindsets to political storylines) I
believed that re-enactment was something different Quite different It felt logic in fact that
so be it My thinking was as follows the re-enactor when travelling to a particular place
prepares mentally to mark a before and an after ldquoTomorrow Irsquoll get up being Jean de
Tassigny crossbowman of Joan of Arcrsquos armyrdquo
That digression implies much more than just saying this words Itrsquos about thinking as Jean
did talk like him eat as he ate and treat the other re-enactors as a man of the XV century
did regarding his own personality his tastes his quirks his own lights and shadows In sum
to portray a character in its own complexity being at the same time a reflex of its own time
and personality Humans have a most diverse behaviour and this must be reflected in
historical re-enactment in a way that could be educational for visitors but also exciting for
fellow re-enactors
In battle dying could be funny an a way for interacting with fellow re-enactors
The story of Jean de Tassigny
As an example to what I wrote here comes an example Pierre is a 40 years old programmer
that re-enacts as hobby He likes history and hersquos on a re-enactment group that portrays a
French infantry company in the Hundred Years War specially the early XVth century period
Before buying their clothing and re-enactment equipment he thought about his character He
decided naming it ldquoJean de Tassignyrdquo remembering that French officer who fought in both
world wars The rest of his group mates portrayed knights or heavy infantrymen so he
decided to portray a crossbowman Then he read about crossbowmen and about many other
things he read about XVth Century about how the Frenchmen of this age affronted live and
dead When he was youth Pierre sang in a choral so he researched about XVth century
music and learned several songs
When Pierre designed Jeanrsquos outfit obviously he documented himself about how an early
XVth century French crossbowman dress but he wanted to give a personal touch to his attire
Jean his character was a man who liked to wear gaudy clothes as he saw in some paintings
and miniatures He also decided to whore a scapular because Jean had a devotion for the
virginrsquos advocation of his hometown (the same in which the grandparents of Pierre lived in
real live) because Pierre was very devout and superstitious and because of that he would bear
a rabbitrsquos foot along with his paternoster Yet the still the most important subject to design
his character in all its depth He thought about where he born who where his parents how he
was enlisted and many other details he thought about that could be a good idea to portray the
son a humble peasants that entered in the mesnie of the landlord He thought about his
personality too in his speech and his behaviour with others As he thought earlier he decided
to mean Jean a superstitious man and devout although simple in treatment and friend to his
friends A man who used to sign songs while burnished his armour sacked some English
corpses or spent his pay in wine and whores He realized that could be very funny So in this
way Pierre designed his character and he will be delighted to portray it In re-enactment he
wanted to role-play Jean de Tassigny as much as he can Nevertheless it was his character
and it had been designed at his own taste
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Parlimentarians at The Crab Church Conspiracy
By Marloes Vissar
Features This Month 1 Historical Role Depiction D Nievas Munoz 2 Book Review-The Historical Novel Soc
3 The MHS Spring Conference
4 Book Review by Maureen James
5 Event Information
6 Threekingham LH Competition
7 The Crabchurch Conspiracy
Greetings All
The weather in the UK is playing havoc
with a few events The Battle of Towton
Commemorative event has just had to be
cancelled and even Hastings which doesnrsquot
happen until October has already been
cancelled I can only hope that it improves
I am due to be at Glastonbury Abbey over
the Easter Weekend but will be keeping an
eye on the weather and waiting to hear from
the organizers
I would like to say a huge thank you to
David Nievas Munoz and Marloes Vissar
for their excellent articles in this monthrsquos
issue If you have something you would like
to see published please do get in contact
There is no competition this month due to
time constraints on my part but if anyone
has something they would like to contribute
as a prize do get in contact
The events listings are starting to fill up but
please do let me know of any others that are
happening near you
Please send all correspondence to the
following email address
thereenactorbtinternetcom
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 editorrsquos 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
Note If you have any questions
queries thoughts or ideas for and
about the magazine please do feel
free to contact me and we can discuss
them
To receive a copy of this magazine just send
your email address to
thereenactorbtinternetcom
Historical re-enactment and Historical roles depiction by David Nievas Muntildeoz
Introduction
Several months ago I wrote an article called ldquonew horizons for the Spanish (and Global) re-
enactmentrdquo which has been translated into two idioms and waits to be in a third published in
on-line magazines of worldwide diffusion as ldquoThe Re-Enactor Magazinerdquo or ldquoMiddle ages
todayrdquo In that article or more precisely one of its points I talked about a concept that I
believe passes unnoticed in the Spanish re-enactments and in which I want to insist the
historical role-play or character depiction But whatrsquos historical role-play
Years ago when I didnrsquot know about re-enactment world rather than viewing photos my
imagination flew Maybe because Ive been a role player since my teens (Irsquom proud of that) or
maybe because my academic formation as historian and my passion for History itself in all
the depths of this concept (from kings to peasants from mindsets to political storylines) I
believed that re-enactment was something different Quite different It felt logic in fact that
so be it My thinking was as follows the re-enactor when travelling to a particular place
prepares mentally to mark a before and an after ldquoTomorrow Irsquoll get up being Jean de
Tassigny crossbowman of Joan of Arcrsquos armyrdquo
That digression implies much more than just saying this words Itrsquos about thinking as Jean
did talk like him eat as he ate and treat the other re-enactors as a man of the XV century
did regarding his own personality his tastes his quirks his own lights and shadows In sum
to portray a character in its own complexity being at the same time a reflex of its own time
and personality Humans have a most diverse behaviour and this must be reflected in
historical re-enactment in a way that could be educational for visitors but also exciting for
fellow re-enactors
In battle dying could be funny an a way for interacting with fellow re-enactors
The story of Jean de Tassigny
As an example to what I wrote here comes an example Pierre is a 40 years old programmer
that re-enacts as hobby He likes history and hersquos on a re-enactment group that portrays a
French infantry company in the Hundred Years War specially the early XVth century period
Before buying their clothing and re-enactment equipment he thought about his character He
decided naming it ldquoJean de Tassignyrdquo remembering that French officer who fought in both
world wars The rest of his group mates portrayed knights or heavy infantrymen so he
decided to portray a crossbowman Then he read about crossbowmen and about many other
things he read about XVth Century about how the Frenchmen of this age affronted live and
dead When he was youth Pierre sang in a choral so he researched about XVth century
music and learned several songs
When Pierre designed Jeanrsquos outfit obviously he documented himself about how an early
XVth century French crossbowman dress but he wanted to give a personal touch to his attire
Jean his character was a man who liked to wear gaudy clothes as he saw in some paintings
and miniatures He also decided to whore a scapular because Jean had a devotion for the
virginrsquos advocation of his hometown (the same in which the grandparents of Pierre lived in
real live) because Pierre was very devout and superstitious and because of that he would bear
a rabbitrsquos foot along with his paternoster Yet the still the most important subject to design
his character in all its depth He thought about where he born who where his parents how he
was enlisted and many other details he thought about that could be a good idea to portray the
son a humble peasants that entered in the mesnie of the landlord He thought about his
personality too in his speech and his behaviour with others As he thought earlier he decided
to mean Jean a superstitious man and devout although simple in treatment and friend to his
friends A man who used to sign songs while burnished his armour sacked some English
corpses or spent his pay in wine and whores He realized that could be very funny So in this
way Pierre designed his character and he will be delighted to portray it In re-enactment he
wanted to role-play Jean de Tassigny as much as he can Nevertheless it was his character
and it had been designed at his own taste
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Historical re-enactment and Historical roles depiction by David Nievas Muntildeoz
Introduction
Several months ago I wrote an article called ldquonew horizons for the Spanish (and Global) re-
enactmentrdquo which has been translated into two idioms and waits to be in a third published in
on-line magazines of worldwide diffusion as ldquoThe Re-Enactor Magazinerdquo or ldquoMiddle ages
todayrdquo In that article or more precisely one of its points I talked about a concept that I
believe passes unnoticed in the Spanish re-enactments and in which I want to insist the
historical role-play or character depiction But whatrsquos historical role-play
Years ago when I didnrsquot know about re-enactment world rather than viewing photos my
imagination flew Maybe because Ive been a role player since my teens (Irsquom proud of that) or
maybe because my academic formation as historian and my passion for History itself in all
the depths of this concept (from kings to peasants from mindsets to political storylines) I
believed that re-enactment was something different Quite different It felt logic in fact that
so be it My thinking was as follows the re-enactor when travelling to a particular place
prepares mentally to mark a before and an after ldquoTomorrow Irsquoll get up being Jean de
Tassigny crossbowman of Joan of Arcrsquos armyrdquo
That digression implies much more than just saying this words Itrsquos about thinking as Jean
did talk like him eat as he ate and treat the other re-enactors as a man of the XV century
did regarding his own personality his tastes his quirks his own lights and shadows In sum
to portray a character in its own complexity being at the same time a reflex of its own time
and personality Humans have a most diverse behaviour and this must be reflected in
historical re-enactment in a way that could be educational for visitors but also exciting for
fellow re-enactors
In battle dying could be funny an a way for interacting with fellow re-enactors
The story of Jean de Tassigny
As an example to what I wrote here comes an example Pierre is a 40 years old programmer
that re-enacts as hobby He likes history and hersquos on a re-enactment group that portrays a
French infantry company in the Hundred Years War specially the early XVth century period
Before buying their clothing and re-enactment equipment he thought about his character He
decided naming it ldquoJean de Tassignyrdquo remembering that French officer who fought in both
world wars The rest of his group mates portrayed knights or heavy infantrymen so he
decided to portray a crossbowman Then he read about crossbowmen and about many other
things he read about XVth Century about how the Frenchmen of this age affronted live and
dead When he was youth Pierre sang in a choral so he researched about XVth century
music and learned several songs
When Pierre designed Jeanrsquos outfit obviously he documented himself about how an early
XVth century French crossbowman dress but he wanted to give a personal touch to his attire
Jean his character was a man who liked to wear gaudy clothes as he saw in some paintings
and miniatures He also decided to whore a scapular because Jean had a devotion for the
virginrsquos advocation of his hometown (the same in which the grandparents of Pierre lived in
real live) because Pierre was very devout and superstitious and because of that he would bear
a rabbitrsquos foot along with his paternoster Yet the still the most important subject to design
his character in all its depth He thought about where he born who where his parents how he
was enlisted and many other details he thought about that could be a good idea to portray the
son a humble peasants that entered in the mesnie of the landlord He thought about his
personality too in his speech and his behaviour with others As he thought earlier he decided
to mean Jean a superstitious man and devout although simple in treatment and friend to his
friends A man who used to sign songs while burnished his armour sacked some English
corpses or spent his pay in wine and whores He realized that could be very funny So in this
way Pierre designed his character and he will be delighted to portray it In re-enactment he
wanted to role-play Jean de Tassigny as much as he can Nevertheless it was his character
and it had been designed at his own taste
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
In battle dying could be funny an a way for interacting with fellow re-enactors
The story of Jean de Tassigny
As an example to what I wrote here comes an example Pierre is a 40 years old programmer
that re-enacts as hobby He likes history and hersquos on a re-enactment group that portrays a
French infantry company in the Hundred Years War specially the early XVth century period
Before buying their clothing and re-enactment equipment he thought about his character He
decided naming it ldquoJean de Tassignyrdquo remembering that French officer who fought in both
world wars The rest of his group mates portrayed knights or heavy infantrymen so he
decided to portray a crossbowman Then he read about crossbowmen and about many other
things he read about XVth Century about how the Frenchmen of this age affronted live and
dead When he was youth Pierre sang in a choral so he researched about XVth century
music and learned several songs
When Pierre designed Jeanrsquos outfit obviously he documented himself about how an early
XVth century French crossbowman dress but he wanted to give a personal touch to his attire
Jean his character was a man who liked to wear gaudy clothes as he saw in some paintings
and miniatures He also decided to whore a scapular because Jean had a devotion for the
virginrsquos advocation of his hometown (the same in which the grandparents of Pierre lived in
real live) because Pierre was very devout and superstitious and because of that he would bear
a rabbitrsquos foot along with his paternoster Yet the still the most important subject to design
his character in all its depth He thought about where he born who where his parents how he
was enlisted and many other details he thought about that could be a good idea to portray the
son a humble peasants that entered in the mesnie of the landlord He thought about his
personality too in his speech and his behaviour with others As he thought earlier he decided
to mean Jean a superstitious man and devout although simple in treatment and friend to his
friends A man who used to sign songs while burnished his armour sacked some English
corpses or spent his pay in wine and whores He realized that could be very funny So in this
way Pierre designed his character and he will be delighted to portray it In re-enactment he
wanted to role-play Jean de Tassigny as much as he can Nevertheless it was his character
and it had been designed at his own taste
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
When Pierre designed Jeanrsquos outfit obviously he documented himself about how an early
XVth century French crossbowman dress but he wanted to give a personal touch to his attire
Jean his character was a man who liked to wear gaudy clothes as he saw in some paintings
and miniatures He also decided to whore a scapular because Jean had a devotion for the
virginrsquos advocation of his hometown (the same in which the grandparents of Pierre lived in
real live) because Pierre was very devout and superstitious and because of that he would bear
a rabbitrsquos foot along with his paternoster Yet the still the most important subject to design
his character in all its depth He thought about where he born who where his parents how he
was enlisted and many other details he thought about that could be a good idea to portray the
son a humble peasants that entered in the mesnie of the landlord He thought about his
personality too in his speech and his behaviour with others As he thought earlier he decided
to mean Jean a superstitious man and devout although simple in treatment and friend to his
friends A man who used to sign songs while burnished his armour sacked some English
corpses or spent his pay in wine and whores He realized that could be very funny So in this
way Pierre designed his character and he will be delighted to portray it In re-enactment he
wanted to role-play Jean de Tassigny as much as he can Nevertheless it was his character
and it had been designed at his own taste
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
The story of Jean de Tassigny is just an invention of the author but could be useful for
demonstrating what is character creation
Why to role-play a character
Passing from ldquodressing asrdquo to ldquobe asrdquo I think is an essential step to improve the quality of the
re-enactment because leads to the enjoyment of ones re-enactor Many re-enactors said to
me ldquothe re-enactor is not an actorrdquo And thatrsquos true So Irsquom not pretending that a re-enactor
memorizes a script a dialogue or a set of actions Nor is it to perform in a histrionic way or
using a theatrical language Itrsquos just about behaving according with his character without
feeling anytime the pressure of memorizing a script Itrsquos more like some sort on continuous
improvisation
This concept could sound strange to re-enactors but itrsquos very basic to an rpg player In the
rpg itrsquos all about design and portraying a character verbally or physically (if itrsquos a live
rpg) respecting a set of rules that defines what he could or couldnrsquot do This digression is
thought as a game for achieving some interpretation objectives within the framework of a
good gaming session around a table or a live one in a given place The final objective is to
play and get fun with friends distinguishing at all times the reality from the gamersquos fantasy
In a re-enactment the procedure is very similar In this case the game is not regulated by a
ldquomasterrdquo just by the rules and objectives of the re-enactment itself (the security rules of a
battle and the development of it for example) but making room for the creativity of the re-
enactor itself Let the re-enactor portraying his character and in his interaction with others
generate scenes that could be resolved in the set of the re-enactment itself for example
saying that this merchant is cheating on you menacing him and letting the guards come to
restore order
This way of re-enacting may be unattractive to some when itrsquos linked to the word ldquogamerdquo In
fact was it asks for is for historical accuracy An accuracy that touches the most diverse
subjects from the general to the particular always justifying it with an impeccable
documentation work and the desire to improve deepen and renew such documentation The
first step in this documentation work and the most important is the own characterrsquos design
In this character design could or may be involved the field specialists but also his own
concerns and personal interests Variety is the spice
Turning this characterrsquos design in the first challenge that a re-enactor must face itrsquos not
history that have to justify the outfit so the outfit becomes a reflex of the character and itrsquos
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
time also of its social status itrsquos geographical area and even its own tastes and peculiarities
All of this of course strongly documented by historical examples or following a principle of
credibility to the historical period in which the character is framed
The work of Joaquin Ballesteros in the design of the beggar Bricio is an example of audacity
when creating alternate roles
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
The characterrsquos design
As I wrote the characterrsquos design is which I consider the first step for a re-enactor
Sometimes we face the problem of when buying some standardized and peach equipment
we realize that the equipment is not adjusted to a certain historical period which we want to
re-enact or it varies depending on a short time frame This fact has been translated many
times in some sort of ldquostudies regarding uniformityrdquo or ldquobasic and usual clothingrdquo If we mix
this tendency with the development of the military re-enactment and the fact that battle dress
often primes over civilian or daily clothing (some guys I think consider this clothing just as
ldquothe thing I wear under the armourrdquo) we realize the fact that a certain sense of ldquouniformsrdquo
exists in certain re-enacting periods So therersquos an ldquoofficial Saxon battledressrdquo for Hastings or
a standardized ldquo13th century knight outfitrdquo with some variants
If we attend to studies about historical clothing or analysis regarding graphic documentation
as Menendez Pidalrsquos book ldquoThe 13th century Spain read in imagesrdquo we realize the fact that
in the vignettes of the ldquoCantigasrdquo itrsquos hard to find two characters with the same hat clothing
combinations or its colours If we add to that the diversity of social classes that we could see
in miniatures and paintings we feel that in fact and as today itrsquos very rare to see two persons
disguised in the same way or in a similar way if they are not wearing uniform (that doesnrsquot
appear until the second half of the XVII century) or a livery or ordinance outfit (like one of
the military orders) Yet so there are differences between these figures including figures that
represent member of the regular clergy with a given habit
The characterrsquos design must attend to its material particularities but must never forget that
itrsquos the equipment which is conditional to the characterrsquos story its background and
personality and not otherwise For making simpler the character creation we could use a
well-known resource of the rpg world the character sheet This sheet must have a certain
number of main fields I believe a good character sheet must have the following fields Name
or nickname Apparent age Real age Social background (at his birth) Actual social status
Birthplace Year of birth Concept or occupation Appearance and particularities Psychology
and treat with other social groups and last Characterrsquos story or background (from his youth
to the date) All this fields should relate together in harmony but therersquos always room for
surprise and the invention of the re-enactor himself
So there is many things in which a re-enactor must think when creating a character Therersquos a
first criteria essential that is the own characterrsquos historicity and credibility In second place
he must decide if hersquos going to re-enact a real historical character or just an archetype or an
invented one First thing is harder than the second although it seems otherwise because a
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
real historical character forces the re-enactor to affront the challenge of re-enact it as accurate
as possible In the third place his character must fulfil a pedagogical function a transmissive
one For example ldquoI want that my character reflects how the XVI polish shepherds wererdquo In
fourth and last place itrsquos the fact that the character must be something of the re-enactors
liking in which he feels comfortable This doesnrsquot mean that the character must be ldquoexactly
as I amrdquo so the character should be thought as a personal and interpretative challenge Itrsquos
not about re-enacting myself 400 years ago but a man (or woman) that could be radically
different from me Generally speaking this capacity defines the finest role-players from the
average and that could be applied to also to a fine character designer from a bad one
To apply historical role-play to a re-enactment
After the documentation work regarding the characterrsquos design we have to think how to
implement all this work or any work we could do in the future in the set a re-enactment Irsquove
wrote in this ldquoNew horizonsrdquo article that the documentation work must extend far beyond
from the equipment and the craftsmanship We must dare to ldquomake a leaprdquo of learning how
men and women of a certain epoch talked thought or behaved It may seem difficult and
possibly this task is one of the most difficult which a re-enactor may face but also one of the
most satisfying
Nevertheless history can aid us From one side we have the work of historians and art
historians works about this or other subjects that we could find very useful In other cases
we ourselves the re-enactors have to be the ones that must learn to analyze the
documentation This documentation could be graphic (paintings sculptures engravings
miniatureshellip) or written (poetry literature administrative documents chronicles or personal
correspondence etc) Itrsquos very important we keep in mind that if wersquore not accustomed to
manage such documentation or if we are we must ask to people that had investigated
seriously on the topic from academics to fellow re-enactors which could be very useful to us
(and usually receptive to cooperation) Although in any case we must assume the weight of
this challenge as a personal issue not hoping that anybody could do this word for us just
aiding us in the search or interpretation of the documentation material or historical fonts
Once we have undertaken this effort we will be taking place proposals on the fly ldquoI could re-
enact this black plague flagellant procession that I saw in that book and represented in
some Ars Moriendirdquo and also we can have ideas for new characters ldquoI could portray a
secretary and herald of a noble houserdquo Possibilities are enormous because History itself is
diverse and rich
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
So that last step is the implementation of all of this in the frame of a re-enactment We could
do it as a central act in the agenda deploying organizational skills and some ambition or just
introduce it as ldquolittle scenesrdquo spontaneous ones in the course of the idle time between main
acts in the agenda It all depends on hope willpower personal initiatives an that initiatives
encourages our fellow re-enactors Thus there may be great ideas and even new re-
enactments A group of fellow re-enactors from Toledo could decide as an initiative of one
of itrsquos member to organize a new re-enactment called ldquoThe court of Alphonso X the wiserdquo
One of them could portray the king and the others his family secretaries generals
guardsmen or servants An idea could become a great re-enactment or a great act
embroidered inside another re-enactment
I think we could introduce this new twist in the re-enactor panorama A change of direction a
change of course Not always spending more money or buying new equipment acquiring
expensive swords horses or armour Spending our time and our intelligence going beyond
the brightness of the armour If we want we can
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
RISE TO GREATNESS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN AND AMERICArsquoS MOST
PERILOUS YEAR BY DAVID VON DREHLE
Find amp buy on
As our country struggles to define its future and conquer rising debt we turn hopeful eyes to
Abraham Lincoln Against all odds that formidable compromiser reunited his country and
liberated a people How did Lincoln do it
Rise to Greatness examines the pivotal year of 1862 Lincoln has yet to find a general who
will fight and victories against the Rebels are rare The US Treasury is going into debt to
finance an unpopular war The border states are in turmoil and if they join the rebellion the
war is lost
Von Drehlersquos excellent account shows us how Lincoln crafted the Emancipation
Proclamation and details the duel between Lincoln and General McClellan How does that
shrewd leader cajole and strong arm Congress into cooperation and persuade a horrified
electorate to support a bloody war to free the slaves I highly recommend Rise to
Greatness to anyone who wishes to learn how Lincoln held a country together and hopes to
see our current leaders do the same
For other great reviews visit
httphistoricalnovelsocietyorg
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
A HISTORY OF ENGLISH FOOD BY CLARISSA DICKSON WRIGHT RANDOM
HOUSE 2011 pound2500 pound500PP
This 500 page hard back book by Clarissa Dickson Wright who with Jennifer Paterson
gained fame as one half of the Two Fat Ladies takes the reader on a leisurely journey from
the mid twelfth century to the present day Each chapter deals with a different time period
and each includes facts figures and quotes both culinary and historical
Clarissa has first-hand knowledge of the preparation and the taste of many of the more
obscure foods She has tasted rook swan and moorhen and even badger which she described
as resembling young wild boar She has also sampled seal meat - ldquodisgusting but falls within
the medieval taste for oily fishy flavoursrdquo and eaten an Edwardian style Stilton cheese
crawling with maggots to be scraped off - ldquotoo pungentrdquo
As you would expect these culinary delights were available for the rich rather than the poor
The upper classes are a preoccupation with Clarissa who includes within the narrative
accounts of royal bed-hopping and country house weekends It is also fascinating to read the
origins of Umble Pie which was made from the umbles or offal left over for the huntsmen
and beaters after a deer had been killed However whilst many of the facts are relevant for a
book on food this reader does not wish to be told about the use of portable urinals by
Georgian ladies
There are a number of inaccuracies in this book that grated on me including the repeating of
the puritan criticism that babies were conceived as a result of couples spending time in the
woods on May Day which has been disputed by analysis of the birth records and the
recording of the World War One tobacco ration as 20 ounces per person per day instead of 2
ounces per week
The book does however include a useful bibliography index and some fabulous illustrations
There is also lots of information on malting brewing and generally on alcohol Clarissa also
includes a selection of 18 accessible historical recipes from the periods covered within the
text
Sadly for food historians this book is not in the same league as Food in England by Dorothy
Hartley which was first published in 1954 and has recently been reprinted by Piatkus in
2009 but if you already have a copy and a birthday coming up then Clarissa could provide a
welcome addition to your library
Review by Maureen James wwwtellinghistorycouk
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Event Information
April 27
th amp 28
th Grand Historical amp Vintage Bazaar Rufford Abbey Country Park
Nottinghamshire 5th annual re-enactor bring and buy event plus multi-period displays by
20+ Roman to 1990s groups
wwweventplancouk or httpwwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
28th
ndash 5th The Roman Walk Ben kane Anthony Riches amp Russell Whitfield walking
Hadrianrsquos Wall in Roman Kit to raise money for charity
httpwwwcharitygivingcoukbenkane
May
4
th ndash 6
th Bentley Medieval Festival Lewes east Sussex UK
marktime-productionscom
4th ndash 6
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
5th amp 6
th ldquoRogues amp Outlawsrdquo Sherwood Forest UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
10th
ndash 12th British Quarterstaff Association weekend in Gloucestershire UK
httpquarterstafforgeventshtml
11th
The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference Leominster UK
wwwmortimerhistorysocietyorguk
11th
amp 12th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Ekenas Castle Sweden
httpwwwekenasslottse
May 11th amp 12th A Victorian Celebration Forge Mill Needle Museum Redditch UK
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 25th amp 26th Tall Ships rsquo13 Gloucester Historic Docks Ships maritime living history
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
May 26th amp 27th Harewood Medieval Faire Harewood House Leeds 2nd major annual
multi-period medieval festival with 1066 to 1487 timeline
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament at Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
May 28th
June 1st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Leeds Castle UK
httpwwwleeds-castlecomlandphp
June
1st amp 2
nd Templecombe Medieval fair Templecombe UK
httpswwwfacebookcomevents300657233387495
8th amp 9
th History Alive Fort Lytton National Park Brisbane Australia
wwwhistoryalivecoau
15th
amp 16th
Gloucester Medieval Play Festival UK
wwwglostheatrecouk
15th
amp 16th
Tatton Park Old Hall Medieval fayre UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
21st ndash 23
rd Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Cardiff Castle Wales
httpwwwcardiffcastlecom
21st ndash 23
rd Times amp Epochs Moscow Russia
httpwwwfacebookcomhistoryfestref=tsampfref=ts
29th
amp 30th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
July
5th ndash 7
th LARP Camp Huntley Wood Staffordshire UK
wwwlarpcampcouk
6th amp 7
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Linlithgow Palace Scotland
httpwwwhistoric-scotlandgovukpropertyresultspropertyoverviewhtmPropID=PL_199ampPropName=Linlithgow20Palace
13th
amp 14th
The Battle of Tewkesbury UK
httpwwwtewkesburymedievalfestivalorg
13th
amp 14th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
20th
amp 21st Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
26th
ndash 28th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
27th
amp 28th
Berkeley Skirmish Berkeley Castle Gloucestershire UK
OfficePlantagenet-Eventscom
27th
amp 28th
Smugglers Island Appuldurcombe House IOW UK
Email ednash1993hotmailcouk
July 27th amp 28th Hughendenrsquos Victorian Weekend Hughenden Manor Buckinghamshire
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
27th
amp 28th
Slaughterbridge Camlann Life and Legend Camelford Cornwall UK
heburbeckgmaiIc0m
August
2nd
ndash 4th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Blenheim Palace UK
httpwwwblenheimpalacecom
3rd
amp 4th
The Midlands Festival of History UK
httpwwwmid-festcouk
3rd
amp 4th
The Loxwood Joust Loxwood Meadow RH14 0AL UK
wwwloxwoodjoustcouk
9th ndash 11
th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
16th
ndash 18th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
17th
amp 18th
Scotlands Festival of History Chatelherault Scotland
wwwscotlandsfestivalofhistorycouk
17th
amp 18th
M5-Multi Period Re-enactment Weekend Spetchley Park Worcs UK
Website ndash wwwm5showcouk
23rd
amp 24th
Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hever Castle UK
httpwwwhevercastlecouk
25th
amp 26th Knights of Royal England jousting Tournament Hedingham Castle UK
httpwwwhedinghamcastlecouk
25th
amp 26th
The Sheffield Fayre Norfolk Heritage Park Sheffield
wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
August 31st amp September 1st On the Home Front 1939-45 Rufford Abbey Country Park
Notts Annual 1940s show wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
September
12th amp 13th Bexbach 1474 Call To Arms
www1474eu
14th
amp 15th
The Battle of Mortimerrsquos Cross Hampton Court Castle Herefordshire
wwwmortimerscrosscouk
September 21st amp 22nd Wimpole at War The Wimpole Estate Cambridgeshire Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
September 28th amp 29th Sherwood through the ages Sherwood Forest Annual Ancient to
1980s multi-period event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
October
October 5th amp 6th Hughendenrsquos Wartime Weekend Hughenden Manor Bucks Annual
1940s event wwweventplancouk or wwwfacebookcomEventplanUK
12th
amp 13th
International Events of Historical Crafts (EIAH) Portugal
Email artesanatocomhistoriagmailcom
November
15
th-17
th The Original Re-Enactors Market Ryton on Dunsmore Coventry UK
wwwreenactorsmarketcouk
16th
amp 17th
The National Living History Fair
23rd
amp 24th
The Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fair Ludlow Castle Shropshire
httpwwwludlowcastlecompageseventsaspx
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
THREEKINGHAM LIVING HISTORY COMPETITION
On Saturday May 11th
2013 Richard and Belle Osborn from 6of1 will once again host the
Threekingham Living History Competition to raise funds for their medieval church
So what is it and how does it work
The idea of this competition is to give re-enactment groups the opportunity to showcase their
group to event organizers local and education authorities and the public increasing
understanding and awareness of what lsquoliving historyrsquo is all about
Groups will be appraised by individual assessors each of whom will be responsible for a
particular facet of the overall display
What do you need to do to take part
Contact us and tell us you would like to come
Provide us in advance with a short written description of your group and what visitors can
expect to see during the event This will be used in the programme and by the assessors and
should be no more than 1 page A5 The following is an extract from last yearrsquos programme
provided by the current title holders
FAHNLEIN URI Following the death of the Borgia Pope ndash Alexander VI and his
successor Julius II (He founded the papal Swiss Guard and commissioned
Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel) a Medici Pope was elected ndash Leo X Leo
needed money and dispatched Cardinal Campeggio to England in 1518 He spent
about a year in England on this visit which he shared with Cardinal Wolsey
Campeggio was given the Bishopric of Salisbury in 1524 by Henry VIII and returned
to England in 1528 to adjudicate in the Kingrsquos divorce
We will be portraying the Travelling Household of Cardinal Campeggio on his visit in
1518 He is travelling to Lincoln then one of the most important cities in England on
his mission In his travels he has fewer servants but still needs a retinue which
include his Chaplain Steward Cook and Bodyguard The soldiers are Swiss given to
him by the Pope
We are able to portray an accurate and high quality living history scenario and be
knowledgeable in giving talks cookery and other domestic demonstrations including
High status Dining for the Cardinal His Bodyguard will give drill and weapons
displays an opportunity for audience participation and all will be happy to answer
questions
Each group will also be expected to provide an arena display a description of this must also
be provided in advance for the programme eg
Join Fahnlein Uri as they present Cardinal Campeggiorsquos Swiss bodyguard in
1518who will display drill and weapons with an opportunity for audience
participation
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
You will also need to provide us with the overall square footage of space required to set up
your encampment How you utilise that space is entirely up to each group remember that
you are trying to create a stand-alone display
What do you get in return
A chance to showcase your group and to receive feedback from the people you are
entertaining
On-site toilets water firewood and beer and a local pub nearby selling good food and
great ale
A social weekend with fellow re-enactors Although the event is only open to the
public for one day the venue is available for the whole weekend allowing a leisurely
pack down anytime on the Sunday or even Monday
A pound20000 voucher to spend with 6of1 to the winning group
Most of all we aim to provide the type of event we would love to participate in ndash
wersquore re-enactors too
Sohellip If you would like to be involved in this growing event please contact us at
6of1bizgooglemailcom
Threekingham is a small but easily accessible village in Lincolnshire situated 25 miles south
of Lincoln and just off both the A15 and A52 (Sat Nav location NG34 0BA)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
The Crabchurch Conspiracy a story of betrayal in the
Civil Warhelliphellip
Weymouth a bitter cold February in 1645hellip musket smoke and cannon fire in the
streets cries of the wounded and dying chilling the bones broken bodies everywhere raging
fires buildings badly damaged both sides Roundheads and Cavaliers fighting for their own
cause The battle of Melcombe Regis and Weymouth was a bloody one A time of betrayal
of loss of selfless courage of countryman against countrymanhellip a time of bloody Civil
War
Weymouth February 2013helliphellip Once again Roundheads and Cavaliers are roaming
the streets of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis musket shots crack the air fighting on the
beach salutes to honour the fallen of the English Civil War at Sandsfoot Castle a weekend
to solemnly commemorate the battle of that cold and bloody February so many centuries
agohellip
An episode in history almost forgotten if not for the efforts of a very fewhellip
The History of Crabchurchhellipas worded by Mark Vinehellip
ldquoIn 1645 several royalist plotters within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe on the
Dorset coast conspired to deliver the ports back into the control of King Charles 1 It has
been suggested that he needed a safe south coast port at which to land a huge French Catholic
army which he hoped would deliver a decisive blow and end the resistance of the
Parliamentarians whom he had been fighting for almost three years by that time losing his
capital and in danger also of losing his throne
The conspiratorrsquos plans were almost successful but their intended victim Dorset man
Colonel William Sydenham Commander of the Parliamentary garrison and MP for
Melcombe managed to get most of his force into that town though he lost a much loved and
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
respected brother and fellow soldier Francis in the initial royalist assault Soon a week long
internecine bombardment was taking place between the factions
Seeing the damage being wrought to both towns but especially Melcombe William
Sydenham proposed a ceasefire but the royalist commander Sir Lewis Dyve declined
saying ldquoWe refuse to parley and will do as we pleaserdquo Sydenham decided a lesson was in
order and the very same night sent a small raiding party across the water to Weymouth They
set light to several ships and smaller boats and many quayside buildings causing great
damage to the town The next day Dyve ceased his bombardment William Sydenham was
not a man to be taken lightly
In the third week what appeared to be the coup de gras arrived in the shape of the archetypal
cavalier general George Lord Goring and his 6500 strong army which meant that
Sydenhamrsquos tiny but stubborn garrison of just 1300 souls were now outnumbered six to one
It would surely only be a matter of time before Melcombe too fell to the Kingrsquos Army
But underestimating Colonel William Sydenham the eldest son of a local Dorset landowner
was Goringrsquos first and biggest mistake for not only did Sydenham succeed in retaking
Weymouth but he also withstood the full might of Goringrsquos military response delivering a
ldquomiraculous victoryrdquo and ending the Kingrsquos aspirations of getting the upper hand in Dorsetrdquo
Mark Vine showing Professor Ronald Hutton around Crabchurch Conspiracy Weymouth
Photo Mrb Stonewylde
Goringrsquos final assault on the night of the 27th February 1645 saw almost 500 of his men left
slain in the streets of old Weymouth or else drowned in the ice cold waters of the quay
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
The Crabchurch Conspiracy is being firmly put back on the map by historian and author
Mark Vine who wrote a book about this intriguing period in Dorsetrsquos history In
collaboration with his friend Steve Booth they played a big part in the organisation of the
Crabchurch Conspiracy commemoration weekend this year and Mark has been involved in
organising the commemorations for it since 1994 Re-enactors from all over Dorset and
indeed the UK were invited to participate in the re-enactment Accommodation was arranged
for them in The Golden Lion a pub in the old town of Melcombe Regis and at the Weymouth
Old Town Hall which was at the forefront of the original final battle of Weymouth On the
Saturday evening The Dolmen a Weymouth based band of international renown used to
gracing the big festival stages of Europe performed their Crabchurch Conspiracy concert
This critically acclaimed 2009 album sporting the same title as the book was written and
composed by friends Mark Vine and Taloch Jameson the frontman of The Dolmen and the
bandrsquos lead guitarist Josh Elliott
The concert like the album itself was a combination of historically accurate narrations and
music inspired by those momentous events Professor Ronald Hutton of Bristol
University Kit Berry writer of the Stonewylde series of books and Caprsquon Steve Howl of the
Poole Re-enactment Society did a wonderful job narrating the story between the songs and
good friend of the band Diane Narraway did a fantastic job of compereing the evening This
resulted in a sold out theatre at the Weymouth College and with Professor Hutton giving a
masterful talk on the English Civil War before the concert the evening was a complete
success raising after expenses about pound1100 for the Weymouth Old Town Hall
refurbishment fund The thunderous applause of the crowd afterwards paid testament to the
performances given
Review of Professor Ronald Hutton on the Crabchurch
Conspiracy Album Professor of HistoryHead of Subjects University of Bristol
(Leading authority on the history of the British Isles in the 16th amp 17th century)
The Crabchurch Conspiracy by The Dolmen presents a foray deep into Civil War country
A wonderful mix of storytelling and song the album focus moves gracefully between the
personal tale and the public knowledge of the period The jiggery folkery and clever use of
spoken word and sound effects combine to draw the listener into a fantastic world of musket
smoke and music At times it manages to sound like it was recorded live in 1645This is
a CD for musician historian and campfire beer swillers alike I hope someone commissions it
as TV drama The pictures it already creates are colourful and dramatic enough to demand
this Well done to all concerned
An Uncivil Civil War Triumph
The profits from the Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend and the concert were donated to the
Old Town Hall a building that has witnessed the battles in 1645 and is still a prominent
(proud) reminder of times long past This building is currently being restored by volunteers
among others Steve Booth After the tremendous success of this weekend in February plans
are being made to make next years Crabchurch Conspiracy weekend an even bigger event
with more re-enactors battling in the streets of Weymouth The intention is to have school
educational parcels made to teach the children of their heritage and author Kit Berry is keen
to be involved in this Local businesses and pubs will be involved again and more promotion
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
will be sought to get people interested in their local culture and history Nearer the time an
announcement will be made in this magazine to invite Civil War groups from all over the
country to participate
Written by Marloes Visser and Mark Vine
Photos by Marloes Visser
Some interesting linkshellip
httpwwwcrabchurchconspiracycouk
httpwwwthedolmencomalbum2html
Two of the Crabchurch Conspiracy organisers Steve Booth amp Mark Vine
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Showing Kit Berry an original letter signed by William Sydenham
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Mark Vinersquos book on the Crabchurch Conspiracy is at the moment being re-written it will be re-published later this year
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Battle on Weymouth beachhelliphellip
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
The Crabchurch Conspiracy Concert at the sold out
Weymouth College Theatre
Writer Kit Berry and Professor Ronald Hutton doing the narrations
Dolmen energyhellip Spectacular threefold drumming
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
A salute to honour the fallen at Sandsfoot Castle
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
Arrival at the Old Town Hall
hellipwith Steve Howl of Poole Re-enactment Society
Parliamentarians
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