The Re-Enactor Issue 15, March 2010
Building a new castle in the US
110 Groups listed 100 Traders Listed 82 Events Listed
Readership 640
Greetings all Welcome to issue 15
An increase of 9% for the readership which is superb, thank you to everyone for signing up and supporting this magazine This weekend sees one of the larger re-enactment markets to be held in the UK and I will be there on Sunday to spend some of my money! There is another new competition in this issue to win “The Few” by Dilip Sarkar (whom I hope to meet at the market) as well as a few more weeks to go to win “War” by Saul David Pass on any details of groups, traders and events to me and I will add them to the listings!
Features This Month 1: Dilip Sarkambe, “The Few”. Available now! 2: History Boot Camp 3: Medieval Heraldry (A group profile) 4: Competitions 5: Building a new castle in the US 6: Event Listings 7: The Battle of Mortimer‟s Cross (Invite) 8: Hell on Earth by Stephen Davis 9: The Old Tales
Contact: jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com http://thereenactor.webs.com Thank you to all those that are supporting this magazine, without your support I could not continue to produce the magazine. Please do keep sending me your articles, stories, pictures and details.
AMBERLEY The history of the Battle of Britain in the words of the pilots from a unique archive of first hand accounts.
Available to buy now!
T: 01285 760030 F: 01285 760031
THE FEW The Story of the Battle of Britain in the Words of the Pilots DILIP SARKAR
Author has interviewed more Battle of Britain pilots than any other historian. ‘Dilip knows more about me and the pilots with whom I flew during the Battle of Britain than we do! If anyone ever needs to know anything about the RAF during the summer of 1940, don’t ask the Few, ask him!’ GEORGE ‘GRUMPY’ UNWIN, Battle of Britain fighter ace. ‘Dilip Sarkar understands perfectly the mysteries of air tactics and strategy, enabling him write authoritatively, lively and deeply touching stories of those days when friend and foe met in the air’ PETER TOWNSEND, Battle of Britain fighter ace. Over 100 historic photographs, most originate from the personal albums of Battle of Britain veterans and have never been reproduced before.
In 1940, the world was shaken when Hitler conquered France and the Low Countries in just six weeks. As Hitler prepared a seaborne invasion of England, only RAF Fighter Command stood against the Nazi dictator, and the world literally held its breath. BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Publication:
June 2009
Price:
£25
ISBN: 84868-215-3
978-1-
Size: 172mm
248
Binding:
Hardback
Extent:
336 pages
x
100 photos Rights:
PRAISE SARKAR
World, all languages FOR
DILIP
T HE BATTLE OF B RITAIN : T HE P HOTOGRAPHIC KALEIDOSCOPE ‘An excellent book’ LADY BADER Bader’s Tangmere Spitfires ‘A most diligent and carefully researched account‘ JOHNNY JOHNSON, the RAF’s top scoring fighter ace in WW2 Fighter Pilot ‘This book deserves to achieve success’ DAME VERA LYNN
The Battle of Britain started on 10th July 1940, ending 16 weeks later on 31st October 1940. The Luftwaffe’s intention was to destroy Fighter Command, domination of the skies being crucial to Hitler’s invasion plan. During that fateful summer, young RAF fighter pilots, flying Spitfires and Hurricanes, were scrambled time and time again to face insuperable odds - and the Luftwaffe was, until that point, unbeaten. The enemy fighter pilots, in their brightly painted Messerschmitt 109s, were the most experienced in the world. But somehow the RAF pilots, fighting desperately in a spider’s web of intricate vapour trails, and with sudden and violent death an ever present companion, prevailed. Afterwards, Churchill paid homage to them all: ‘Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few’. A legend had been born. Dilip Sarkar has been fascinated by the Battle of Britain since childhood and began seriously researching the subject in the 1970s. He wrote thousands of letters and travelled extensively over the UK interviewing the fabled ‘Few’. Over the last 30 years he has interviewed more Battle of Britain survivors than any other author and his archive is a unique collection of veterans ‘voices’. In this new book Dilip Sarkar chronicles the Battle of Britain from start to finish, drawing extensively from his interviews with pilots and support staff.
MARKETING, PUBLICITY, PRESS
Author is an acknowledged expert on the Battle of Britain with over 20 books on the subject to his credit.
Book signings at several major air shows in 2009 are planned.
Reviews in the aviation and history press to include Flypast, RAF News and BBC History Magazine.
Endorsement expected from Professor Richard Overy, author of The Battle of Britain (Penguin) and The Bombing War (forthcoming Penguin 2009).
Endorsement expected from Lady Bader.
THE AUTHOR Fascinated by the Battle of Britain since childhood, Dilip Sarkar remains both moved and inspired by the story of Churchill’s fabled Few, those young airmen who stood between freedom and a Britain dominated by Nazi Germany. Since the 1970s he has met and interviewed more Battle of Britain pilots than any other historian. He has researched the subject thoroughly and has published over twenty books, titles which include the only biographical works formally endorsed by the families of both Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader and Air Vice-Marshal Johnnie Johnson. In 2003, Dilip was made an MBE for services to aviation history, and elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society in 2006. He lives in Worcester.
History Boot Camp April 9th & 10th and 11th 2010 will see the third multi-period History Boot Camp take place at Phasels Wood Scout Camp near Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire. A completely new and unique concept, it features Master Classes in such useful and interesting topics for re-enactors as fire-lighting with flint and steel, the history of make-up, book-binding, calligraphy, forge-work, cooking, and the medicinal and culinary uses of herbs, as well as archery competitions, lessons and archery improvement, you can even take the fletching seminar as well as sword fighting, and the safe use of black powder weapons. Retail therapy is at hand, as are good food and subsidised beer, together with hot showers, plenty of proper toilets, even dormitory accommodation for those who prefer it, and the exclusive use 96 acres of playground – really the only limit is imagination! Set up and run by Laurie Wignall and David Smith, it has proved massively popular with those re-enactors who have already tried it, and re-bookings are already at record levels. The whole thing is financed by charging a modest £23 per adult camping fee, which includes most of the classes although some have a small charge for the materials used. Traders, many of whom are providing the master classes, get free pitches. Laurie runs his Trollsbottom Bar from the centrally located “Storm Hut” and is considering erecting his 12m by 6m Party Tent adjacent to this, as it can get rather crowded of an evening! Add in a huge log fire just outside, tarpaulins strung from the trees as wind breaks, the subsidised beer, and you can see why the social side of the camp is as highly praised as are the varied and useful classes. Add to this the excellent food offer situated onsite, not to mention the food available after the cooking seminars “It‟s a great kick start to the re-enactment season,” said Mr Wignall, “it gives everyone a chance to shake out the cobwebs and get some wood smoke into their lungs!” A dedicated web site at www.history-boot-camp.co.uk has the details and Booking Forms.
Medieval Heraldry My name is Louise. Along with my husband and daughter, we th th are 14 early 15 Century medieval re-enactors. As with the majority of people who partake in this hobby, most weekends during the summer (and sometimes winter), we are driving all over the UK and Europe entertaining and hopefully passing along to people a small part of history. We have quite a large tent which, I do try to kit out as authentic as possible, so that the public can gain an insight as to how it was. Although it is very hard work to set the camp up at the start of the weekend, once everything is in place, I found myself having lots of spare time. I wanted to be able to speak to the public about my role in medieval society but I was afraid that I was just not talented enough to fulfil women's roles such as weaving, cooking etc. Rather than become a spare part within the group, I talked (threw a tantrum) the combatants into teaching me how to fight. A woman actually fighting during this era was not as uncommon as one might think (Take Joan of Arc). With time and lots of practice, I think I can finally say that I am able to “display” fight with a sword. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I am up there in the ranks of the male fighters but I think I can at least hold my head up and say that "I'm getting there"! But, alas, the fighting side of the weekend is only a small part. What would I do for the rest of the day? I finally found my calling when my husband asked me if I could put a device onto his surcoat. I drew out a lion, cut it out, appliquéd it onto the breast of the surcoat. When I showed him the final product, he was thrilled. A couple of people within our group also liked it so much, they asked me to do one for them too. Before I knew it, I was making surcoats with hand stitched devices from scratch. Within a few months I had also moved onto flags/banners. I do try to make all items as authentic as possible by using linen, wool or silk and the majority of the sewing is done by hand. There is also a choice of the device being hand painted on too. I always ensure the finished piece is washable. It usually takes me about 3 weeks to complete a basic flag or surcoat. But obviously, the more intricate the design, the longer it takes. To date I have completed around 4050 items including an 8ft war standard, child tabard’s and even a wrap over surcoat for a dog! I am pleased to say that all of my customers have been very happy with their finished product and usually come back to order further goods. (They usually start with surcoat/tabard and after seeing the final product, go onto order flags/banners). I have also started to do shields. I buy them in as blanks and then paint them to the customers’ specification. I try to be reasonable with my pricing and give customers value for money, but please note that the more colours/panels/devices etc. used, the price will inevitably go up. So please do visit my website www.medievalheraldry.co.uk for more information on my work and the different pieces available. Note, my website is still new at this stage, so please check back regularly. Alternatively, if you have a requirement in mind, feel free to send me an email, louise@medieval-heraldry.co.uk
Competition One To be in with a chance of winning a signed copy of WAR by Saul David all you need do is send me an email with your name and address (including Postcode) to the usual email address. This competition will run until March 15th 2010 The competition is free to enter and open to all those that receive this ezine Email: Jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com
Competition Two I have a signed copy of the excellent book by Dilip Sarkar, The Few, to give away in a competition. This competition will run until April 15th 2010 There is a preview of this book earlier in the ezine and would make an excellent addition to everyoneâ€&#x;s book library. To be in with a chance of winning this book, answer this simple question: What is the book all about? Send me an email with your answer and your full postal address to the usual email address. The competition is free to enter and open to all those that receive this ezine Email: Jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com
Both of the competitions are free to enter, no purchase required and I will post the books out wherever you live in the world!
Congratulations to Chris Morgan who was the lucky winner of the Justin Pollard competition, his books will be with him shortly
I would like to extend by gratitude to DK and Dilip Sarkar for their support of this ezine and the offer of the books.
Have you ever dreamed of medieval castles? Real strongholds of the past, built with quarried stones, felled oaks, forged tools, and bare hands. Do you wonder how it felt to raise these fortresses from the ground up, to perform such an amazing feat?
An outdoor laboratory, a living history book In the heart of the United States, between Springfield, Missouri, and Little Rock, Arkansas, a dazzling historic vision is rising in the middle of the Ozark Mountains. The creation is the brainchild of Michel Guyot who launched a similar and very successful project in Burgundy, France, ten years ago. A team of architectural experts, working together with historians of the Middle Ages and dedicated artisans, is raising a genuine, full-sized, fortified castle, with 45 foot high towers, a drawbridge, and 6 foot wide stone walls surrounding an expansive inner courtyard, using the materials, techniques, and rules of the 13th century. Ground was broken in June, 2009 and the Ozark Medieval Fortress will be open to the public in May, 2010.
An Exciting, Dazzling Trip Into The Far Past Thirty masons, carpenters and stone carvers authentically dressed, will work all year round for twenty years, the time required to build a fortress in the Middle Ages. Imagine a place where you leave behind our technically advanced society to hear the clang of hammers on chisels as stones are being carved, and to hear snorting cart-horses pulling heavy stones on creaking wooden wagons. The blacksmith, the rope maker, the woodcutter will work right in front of you as they practise medieval techniques of construction. The Ozark Medieval Fortress will be a thrilling educational, scientific, and emotional experience, a soaring flight into ages past, an outdoor laboratory, a living history book!!
The construction is projected to run for twenty Years!!
A new castle in the US We are building the first ever full sized fortified castle right in front of the public. Twenty five craftspeople (quarrymen, stonecutters, masons, woodcutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, rope makers, a potter, carters) are building it stone by stone using tools and methods of the 13th century. By demonstrating building techniques as practised in the middle ages, workers and scientists can thus provide answers to as yet unanswered questions. It will be a fun and educational place! An outdoor laboratory! A living history book! It will take 20 years to complete. The Ozark Medieval Fortress was designed as a tourist attraction and an interactive classroom, drawing schoolchildren, curious visitors, history buffs and day-trippers from nearby Branson when it opens to the public May 1. We may offer our land and its natural surroundings for a selection of festivals with independents acts and merchants about. Such as the Winslow Shire Renaissance faire. You can visit our website for more information: http://www.ozarkmedievalfortress.com/
The Battle of Mortimer‟s Cross C1461 September 18th & 19th 2010 The Wharf Field, Main A49, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK An annual recreation of this Wars of The Roses Battle, between the houses of York and Lancaster. The Battle of Mortimer‟s Cross was originally fought on February 2nd 1461 in Herefordshire between the forces of the 18 year old Edward, Earl of March and Owen Tudor. Owen Tudor had been on route to join the rest of the Lancastrian army when he was stopped by Edward at Mortimer‟s Cross.
Come and join us: Battle Re-Enactment including archery in large arena Living history encampment Medieval traders Beer tent Food stalls Entertainment including medieval dancing and a barber surgeon!
All authentic groups are welcome, traders too! (reasonable pitch fees) Check out the website for more details Separate plastic camp site, water on site, toilets, wood for fires
www.mortimerscross.co.uk
Events Listing March 2010 7th MSS Spring Clout Shoot at Bodium Castle, Sussex, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 19th, 20th & 21st The Original Re-enactors market (TORM) Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmorre www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk
April 2010 3rd MSS at Hedingham Castle, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 4th & 5th The Knights of Royal England at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 9th - 11th History Boot Camp, Phasels Wood, Hemel Hempstead, UK Seminars, workshops, traders, re-enactors For more information or to book your place visit: www.history-boot-camp.co.uk/ 13th -16th Ealdfaeder at Ipswich Museum, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk 17th EMA Training Weekend, Tournament Stud, nr Silverstone, Oxfordshire, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=316626711762&mid=1d91106G2a41059eG3f3686bG7 22nd – 25th 5th Reenactment Commemorating the Defense San Juan during the British Siege of 1797 For information: http://sites.google.com/site/sanjuan1797/home 24th MSS at Cressing Temple Barns, Cressing Temple, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 24th St Georges Day Celebration Millennium Green & Community Centre, Audley, Staffordshire, UK Contact: parishofaudleymedievalsociety@hotmail.co.uk 24th – 26th Ironfest, Australia (To be held on the long weekend of Anzac Day) http://www.ironfest.net/
May 2010 1st - 3rd The Knights of Royal England at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 1st – 3rd Cosmeston Battle weekend, Cosmeston Medieval Village, nr Cardiff, Wales www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/ 1st & 2nd Margam Park South Wales, Multi-Period Event www.webster.uk.net
8th & 9th Two day Costume and Textile Fair, Rodber Suite at Northamapton Saints Rugby Club, UK Contact for information: david.smith34@ntlworld.com or smcnern@googlemail.com 8th & 9th Snailwell Medieval Festival, Snailwell, Uk, CB8 7LX www.yayevents.co.uk 21st – 24th KMM: Copenhagen Medieval Market For Information: http://www.kmm.dk/default.asp?pid=49 22nd & 23rd Hawkwoods Feast & Faire, Yarra Valley Archery park, Launching Place, Victoria, Aus. For information contact: mickey65@optusnet.co.au (Michelle Barraclough-White Company) 22nd & 23rd The Boughton Bash, Boughton, Northamptonshire, NN2, UK Dark age/early medieval re-enactment. Tourney & Living History Contact: art4uframercathy@msn.com or Tel: 01604 464615 29th 30th Traquair House, Innerleithen, Scotland Medieval entertainment, traders and a tournament before King James IV (1491) http://www.traquair.co.uk/medieval.html Contact: ahmuir@hotmail.co.uk 30th & 31st The Knights of Royal England at Hedlingham Castle, Essex, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 29th – 4th June. 2010 Pirate Festival at Lulworth Castle, Wareham, Dorset, UK http://pikeandshot.com 29th – 31st Ealdfaeder at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk
June 2010 1st -6th The Knights of Royal England at Leeds Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 5th & 6th Ealdfaeder at Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk 6th & 7th Templecombe Medieval fayre, Templecombe, Dorset, UK 12th & 13th The Knights of Royal England at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Essex, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 18th – 20th The Knights of Royal England at Cardiff Castle, Wales www.knightsroyal.co.uk 19th & 20th Tatton Park, UK Contact: plantychrisb@yahoo.co.uk 25th, 26th & 27th Chatteris Historic Festival, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, UK For information contact: thebeardeddragon30@hotmail.com 26th & 27th The Knights of Royal England at Ruthin Castle, Wales www.knightsroyal.co.uk 26th & 27th The Winslowshire Festival, Winslowshire animal sanctuary, 37 Eddy St, Norton, MA, USA See more details and RSVP on RenaissancePerformers: http://renaissanceperformers.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2212446%3AEvent%3A5017&xgi=5SBQFRLZc2bLIZ&xg_so urce=msg_invite_event
July 2010 3rd & 4th The Knights of Royal England at Linlithgow Palace nr Edinburgh, Scotland www.knightsroyal.co.uk 3rd & 4th Chetwynd Medieval Fair. Commemorating an actual historical market and Chetwynd, Shropshire in1318. The current location is at Shropshire Lavender http://www.shropshirelavender.co.uk 3rd & 4th Dorset Medieval Festival, Winterbourne Came, Dorchester, Dorset, UK http://www.facebook.com/l/4c0b0;www.dorsetmedievalfestival.co.uk 3rd & 4th Fete et marcher medieval, Chateau d‟helecine, Belgium http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=318225612880&mid=1f0403bG2a41059eG422fec1G7 3rd & 4th The Dorset Medieval Festival, nr Dorchester, Dorset, UK Website: http://www.dorsetmedievalfestival.co.uk/ Contact: jerry@chesilpromotions.co.uk 10th & 11th The Knights of Royal England at Linlithgow Palace nr Edinburgh, Scotland www.knightsroyal.co.uk 10th & 11th Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, Tewkesbury, UK www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/ 10th & 11th Romans Live, Ribchester Roman Re-Enactments, Ribchester, uk http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=142209745905&mid=1d8d056G2a41059eG3f2dc04G7 13th – 18th Viking Market in Gudvangen http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=592381455&ref=name#/pages/Gudvangen-Norway/Gudvangen-mostbeautiful-spot-on-planet-earth/331462555230 17th & 18th MSS at Royal Gunpowder Mills, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 17th & 18th The Knights of Royal England at Hever Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 17th & 18th Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, UK Multi-Period event 17th & 18th Ealdfaeder at Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk 23rd – 24th The Knights of Royal Engalnd at Hever Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 24th & 25th Berkeley Castle Skirmish, Gloucestershire, UK www.berkeley-castle.com/reenactments.php 24th & 25th The Battle of Azincourt, France www.azincourt-alliance.org.uk 24th & 25th MSS at Appuldurcombe House, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 31st & 1st The Knights of Royal England at Hever Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk
31st & 1st The Tournament of Walraversijde, Oostende, Belgium http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=152000491459&mid=1ada4fcG2a41059eG39aaf51G7 31st & 1st Ealdfaeder at Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk
August 2010 6th – 8th The Knights of Royal England at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 7th & 8th Midlands History Festival at Stratford Armouries, Stratford, UK http://www.stratfordarmouries.co.uk 7th & 8th De fer et de feu, Rebecq, Belgium http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=316716813226&mid=1eb0e99G2a41059eG41741c4G7 13th – 15th The Knights of Royal England at Hever Castle, Kent, uk www.knightsroyal.co.uk 14th & 15th Spetchley Park-Multi-period event, Worcester, UK www.lhiw.org.uk 14th & 15th Bodelwyddan Castle, North Wales 14th & 15th Lincoln Castle, Lincoln, UK For information contact: plantychrisb@yahoo.co.uk 14th & 15th Ealdfaeder at Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk 14th & 15th MSS at Bodium Castle, Sussex, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 21st & 22nd Scotlands Festival of History, The Royal Borough of Lanark, UK http://www.scotlandsfestivalofhistory.co.uk 21st & 22nd The Knights of Royal England at Hever Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 27th & 28th The Knights of Royal England at Hever Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 28th – 30th Herstmonceaux Medieval Festival, Herstmonceaux Castle, East Sussex, UK 28th – 30th Military Odyssy, Kent Show Ground, Detling, Kent, UK. http://www.military-odyssey.com/ 28th – 30th Medieval Spectacular at Pensthorpe Park, Fakenham, Norfolk http://www.blackknighthistorical.co.uk 29th & 30th The Knights of Royal England at Hedingham Castle, Essex, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 28th – 29th September 10 Jahre mim IG Mensch im Mittelalter e.V (63165 Mulheim am Main) http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=273595664687&mid=1ac1308G2a41059eG3974e7dG7
September 2010 4th & 5th Campaign of La Boissiere-Ecole 1815 The village of La Boissiere-Ecole situated 17km west of Rambouillet near Paris 5th The Knights of Royal England at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 11th & 12th Early Medieval Alliance (EMA) event at Caldicot Castle, Wales, UK 11th & 12th MSS at Battle of Edgecote & Tournament Spectacular, Chipping Warden, Banbury, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 11th & 12th Caldicot 2010, Caldicot Castle, Wales, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=344037991340&mid=1eae450G2a41059eG416f6a3G7 18th & 19th The Battle of Mortimerâ€&#x;s Cross (C1461) Main A49 1 Mile North of Leominster, Herefordshire, UK For information: http://www.mortimerscross.co.uk 18th & 19th The Knights of Royal England at Leeds Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 25th & 26th The 17th International Napoleonic Fair 2010 www.internationalnapoleonicfair.co.uk
October 16th & 17th The Norfolk Living History Fayre, Mannington Hall, Norfolk, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=343838790024&mid=1f1ae2aG2a41059eG4268eb9G7 17th MSS Autumn Clout Shoot, Bodium Castle, Sussex, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 29th-31st The Living History Fair, Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, UK http://www.livinghistoryfairs.com/ 30th & 31st Medieval Fair & Market, Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire, UK Contact: david.smith34@ntlworld.com
November 27th & 28th Ludlow Castle Medieval Christmas fair, Ludlow, Shropshire, UK Craft fair, medieval traders, combat, have a go archery http://www.ludlowcastle.com/
December 12th MSS Christmas Clout Shoot at Bodium Castle, Sussex, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk
HELL ON EARTH Stephen Davis
This book is a record of a time in history which no one alive today has witnessed. This is a true story written by a young man from a midland town which under the conscription act, immediately after his eighteenth birthday joined the army and went over to France in April 1918, just after the big German offensive. His regiment was sent to a spot where the British line had been broken, and soon they were in retreat. First told over 70 years ago the story has finally made its way back to where it belongs. This book is only available direct from the website: www.hellonearth.org.uk Or via email: srddavis@hotmail.com
The Old Tales 009 The Lady of the Lake This rather beautiful tale on the theme of „The Sea Bride‟ is called „The Lady of the Lake‟. It has nothing whatever to do with Arturus Pen Draco Rex, indeed it does not even come from Britannia. It comes from Eire, though I forget the name of the village, and it concerns a young shepherd. His marital problems were twisted by fate rather than his own foolishness, which shows again that it is wise always to be careful. A young shepherd, with no family and few troubles, looked after the sheep of his lord, and a few of his own, on land that he had been granted for his own use. His was a quiet life, yet he was skilled at his craft. His animals were well thought of, he had a good living and he was comfortable by it. It was his only regret that all he had learned of animals and the land would be lost upon his death, for he had no one to pass that knowledge onto. When walking one day around the fields of his flock, he came to notice a beautiful young woman, sat upon a rock at noon near the shore of a lake. On the waters side I might add. Beyond the lake was the village. He knew the land and the local folk quite well, but this young lady, he did not know. Still, it would be nice to have some company for an hour or so, after several days alone. He walked down to the water‟s edge, curious to learn who this lady was. When he reached the water he knew for sure that he had never seen her before. But, she would not approach him, nor would she speak. She only watched him with great care, as though it was she who was studying him. As they watched each other, he though she looked light and thin, as though she had not eaten for a week. He thought he should offer her something to eat, but all he had was a piece of old bread. It was not mouldy or tainted, but is was dry. Never the less his kind heart forced him to hold it out to her. She would not approach and simply held her hand and towards the bread. Even though she could by no means reach it as she was some yards from the shore line. After a moment of time, she let her hand drop back to her side. She spoke for the first time. "Your bread is too hard. It cannot win me." So saying a mist rolled across the lake, and she seemed to vanish from sight. The shepherd went home, down but not out, so to speak, and thought long and hard over what the mysterious woman had said. At first light he visited the baker, and asked for some dough that had been floured so was dry to touch, but had not yet been baked. Wrapping it well, he set off for the fields to tend to his flock. At noon, he walked slowly to the lake, the sheep grazing happily. There upon her rock was the young woman. Though having met only once, the shepherd felt that this must be love. When he reached the water‟s edge, he held forward his offering. The woman looked at him and then looked at the dough. She held out her hand then let it drop to her side. "Your bread is too soft. It cannot win me." So saying, the mist rolled across the lake, and the lady vanished once more. Now the shepherd returned to his flock, and walked slowly across the moorland, the sheep nibbling the sweet young grass as they followed behind him. By the time he had corralled the sheep and gone to his home in the evening, he was desperate for a solution. He was sure it should be so obvious, but he just could not see it. That night, he dreamed of the beautiful lady on her rock by the shore line. When he woke in the morning, he knew what he must do. He asked the baker for some bread that had been raised and proved, yet baked only for half of the normal baking time. It would be full and firm set, yet neither dried or crusted. He wrapped it up most carefully, and went upon his way.
The morning seemed to pass oh so very slowly, as he walked idly amongst his animals. He watched a few wisps of cloud dancing across the sky, but his mind really was not where his body was. His mind and his heart had already gone ahead to the lake, and he would follow shortly. He was sure now that he could win her love, for he had found the balance in the bread, and he was sure that it was the balance that she sought in him. When he saw the sun approaching noon, he walked swiftly to the lake. Facing his lady across the water‟s edge, he unwrapped the third offering of bread and held it out. Her expression was softer now as she reached forward. Without bridging the water‟s space between them, she took the bread and she ate it. "This bread it perfect. You have won me." So saying she rose from the rock and walked to the shore line into his waiting arms. At the same moment, bullocks, cows, sheep, goats and horses rose from the water, walked onto the sandy shore and shook themselves dry. These animals were the lady's dowry. It is not necessary for a man to have gold to be wealthy, if he has a craft. His craft was with animals, which are also a sign of wealth. The animals fanned out to watch the lady and the young man. When they finally put each other down, the Lady, for indeed she was a noble Lady, spoke again. "I will come with you and be your bride, but I warn you now. If you ever strike me three times you shall lose me. On that day, I and my beasts shall return to the realm from whence we have come. From that day, you shall never see me again.” The shepherd looked shocked at this little speech and drew her closer to him. He was unsure what strange truths this Lady carried with here. He was even less sure how he should respond. Before the wedding she tells him about the day she will leave him? "My beautiful Lady, How could you say or even think such a thing of me, before seeing even my home. The only thing I could possibly strike you with is my love." "We shall see." With that they spoke no more on the matter, and he led his new found bride to his home, with her animals and his own sheep, following quietly behind them. One does not dwell too long on that which one does not wish for. A few days later, they married. For several years they lived happily together and had several fine and healthy sons. They had no conflict, nor did they want for anything. Their holding grew, and in time they bought the land they previously been granted the use over. As a shepherd and a breeder of fine animals they were wealthy and comfortable. As a family they were loved and respected by all who knew them. Their animals were held in high standing throughout the region. One day they were in church, to witness the marriage of a good neighbour. Yet, instead of being happy to bless the couple, the lady was crying. The shepherd griped her firmly by the arm so that her skin bruised. "Stop that." He said angrily. "This is supposed to be a joyous occasion, you should not be crying. If you carry on like this everyone will be looking at you instead of the happy couple.” She gave him such a look as would freeze quick metal. He released her arm at once. Then she spoke. "I am crying for them because theirs will not be a happy marriage. There will be strife and hardship, pretty much the whole time, and it will end in tears for both of them. But never mind about them. That is one. You have two blows left, and then I shall leave you." He was shocked, and he remembered her warning on the day that she joined him. He thought it wise to say no more. Time passed, as it must for all men, and the teeth with which time stalks its prey brought the shepherd and the lady to the church once more. This time it was to bid farewell to a friend who had died. Something I myself have had to do far too many times. During the service, the lady started laughing. He forgot what happened before and took her arm again. He gripped so hard that the flesh turned white as the blood in her arm was restricted. "How can you be so callous as to laugh at such a sad time?" She turned to face him, and if looks could kill there would have been two funerals that afternoon. He let go of her arm.
"I am laughing with him, not at him. His spirit has gone to a better place, where he can be happy. He is free of all pain and the concerns of the flesh. But never mind about him. That is two. You have but one blow left, and then I shall leave you." Shocked and desperate now, he followed her in silence as they left the church. They returned home to continue their own lives. Every day he tried not to worry too much about offending his wife again. But it would not have been normal for a man not to worry to some degree about the lady of the house. In a few years, with the sons grown up, all was peaceful in their community. The earlier marriage of the neighbours had indeed ended in tears. News of this fact and the lady's vision of their fate travelled outward across the land. Many people travelled to visit the lady to seek her advice. Her wisdom in time became quite renowned. One quiet day when it appeared that nothing much of interest was going to happen that day, the youngest of the sons came into the house earlier than he was expected to be back. He announced that he had seen a wild horse on their land, in the upper fields before the lake. A magnificent animal that did not seem to bothered by people being around. The shepherd and his good lady wife followed their son to find the horse. If he was not afraid of people then it was worth seeing if they could catch it. New blood in any controlled heard is always a good idea. The lady came up upon the horse from its left side, and the shepherd came up upon it from its right side. He threw the bridle over the horses head. And it missed! The horse bucked down at just the right moment, from its point of view. The bridle flew over its head, and struck the Lady. She picked it up and placed it over the horses head. Bruised and in pain, the spoke to the horse in the common language of all things of the green world. Then she placed the lead rein in the shepherd's hand. "You have the horse my Lord, but you no longer have me. That was the third blow. According to our ancient bargain, you shall have no more." So saying, she walked down the slope of the field and into the lake. All the bullocks and cows, all the sheep and goats and all the horses that descended from the animals she had brought with her as her dowry, followed her to the water and disappeared. The shepherd was left to his despair, atop an empty field, with only a horse for company. He walked around the lake for many hours, distressed and alone, calling her name until the moon was high. All he heard was the horse walking behind him, and the echo of his own voice. Finally he went home, and as according to her word, he never saw his beloved lady again. He still had his Lordshipâ€&#x;s animals, and his own, but everything that belonged to the Lady was gone. Of course, in her own realm, she had no use for coin, so she had not left the shepherd to be pennyless. Their sons however did see their mother again, by the lake, every month at the bright of the moon. She taught them all the secrets of their world and hers, all the herb-lore of land and lake, and she taught them how to use that lore to help others. Those sons used that knowledge to help the people, their animals, their crops and the land. They quickly became established in their craft, and became as well known for their skills and their understanding as their Mother had been. Even to this day, the descendants of those sons, still practice medicine and herb-lore in the village where they still live, and they are renowned and respected far and wide for this craft. Remember the lonely doom of the shepherd. Be good to a Lady, and understand her wisdom, for if you are not, you may lose her. Karl Leofrsson Himring February MMX