Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire 17 -18 July

(click on the pictures to see a bigger image)

Festival of History

Festival of History is English Heritage's annual weekend packed with living history, re-enactment and partnership organisations. Military history is a favourite with the visitors and a core theme throughout the weekend.


(some of EH's activity orientated exhibits ...)


The living history displays and encampments are full of military costume societies, regiments and groups, and the arena displays feature warlike action from Ancient Rome to World War Two.

(Roman encampment)


(Medieval campsite cookery)

For the Ancient and Medieval enthusiast, there is one of the largest Roman displays of the year, together with Normans, Crusaders, action from the Wars of the Roses - as well as the ever popular Tournament and Joust.


(Breaking a lance: excellent camera work from Chris Ager)
(Roman re-enactors: more from Chris)
Fresh from the WOTR Battle of Northampton, I was helping out on the Battlefields Trust stand, publicising the work done protecting and preserving our military heritage sites and recruiting new members.

The Battlefields Trust is, of course, behind the crucial work done to clear up the historical riddles surrounding the Battle of Bosworth. A key objective of the Trust is to protect England's battlefields from motorways and developers, and fully half the 'at risk' list falls within the Society of Ancients remit.


(Battlefields Trust 'Iron Man' James Parker fascinates a youngster he hopes one day will treasure England's battlefields: sponsor this man!)
The Battlefields Trust needs support in membership, donations and campaigning. Activist James Parker will be raising money by attempting the Great North Run in medieval armour, and would appreciate your support - you can find a 'donate' button by following this LINK.


As usual for this event, a wargames tent was provided manned by the Phoenix Club of Rushden, and with the support of Warlord Games - this year the feature game was English Civil War (using Johnson and Priestley's Black Powder).


(scenes from the Wargames tent)
For a bigger selection of the non ancient and Medieval pictures from Festival of History, visit my other blogs ...
ECW Battles in Miniature
P.B.Eye-Candy

As for Ancients on the Move, we will be back playing Tournaments over the next few weeks - look out for

Armati at the Stoke Challenge
FoG at The Society of Ancients Doubles Masters

And Claymore and Britcon come up in August. A busy summer out and about.

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