The Re-Enactor Issue 16, April 2010
Building a new castle in the US
128 Groups listed 115 Traders Listed 103 Events Listed
Readership 722
Greetings all Welcome to issue 16
An increase of over 12% for the readership which is superb, and even more groups and traders Easter is nearly upon us and here in the UK the re-enactment season starts in earnest-although who says that camping in April in the UK is fun! There are 3 CD’s up for grabs in the latest competition as well as a couple of weeks still to run in the Dilip Sarkar (MBE) book competition-so get your entries in. I am still after more groups, traders and events so please pass on any details. I also want more readers so start spreading the word!
Features This Month 1: Dilip Sarkambe, “The Few” 2: History Boot Camp 3: Competitions 4: Vedan Kolod-Group Profile 5: Building a new castle in the US 6: The Battle of Mortimer‟s Cross (Invite) 7: Poem on the battle of Thermopylae 8: Scottish crafts in aid of Christianity 9: Event Listings 10: Hell on Earth by Stephen Davis 11: Military & Flying Machine Show 12: 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.
Competition One 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 everyone‟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
Competition Two I have 3 CD‟s to give away in this brand new competition, 3 lucky winners will each receive one of the CD‟s. To be in with a chance of winning one of the 3 CD‟s just answer this simple Question: The Groups name is Vedan Kolod: What is the English Translation? Send me an email with your answer and your full postal address to the usual email address. The competition is free to enter, no purchase required and I will post the CD‟S out to wherever you live in the world!
Congratulations to Ross Davies who was the lucky winner of the Saul David competition, his book will be with him shortly.
I would like to extend my gratitude to Dilip Sarkar and Vedan Kolod for their support of this ezine and the offer of the book and CD’s.
SLAVIC ETHNO-BAND “VEDAN KOLOD” «Vedan Kolod! Your music is really full of Slavonic spirit, respect of tradition and Slavonic culture. When a man is listening your music on the forest clearing even in the deep melancholy, your music cheering up and rising spirit like a musical anaesthetic. When a man is traveling along in the forest and in his ears plays your musical magic, he has a feeling like he is back to the ancient times, times of ancestries and he‟s walking on paths, where ancestries walked and lived. All the nature and the world which is dead now born again with your music. Slava for you!» – Dmitrii Pochinski (Poland) Slavic ethno-band Vedan Kolod (meaning „Prophetic tree‟) was created in 2005 in Siberia, Russia, by Tatyana Naryshkina. Already in July of 2005 Vedan Kolod won the prize as the best Russian folk band in the International World Music Festival Ustuu-Huree. “Vedan Kolod” in it‟s creative work gives clear root in an ancient tradition and based on the last investigations and analysis of archaeologists and folklore specialists, music of ancient and pagan Russia before Christian‟s coming. “Vedan Kolod” shows the culture of original Russian traditions and songs in author‟s acoustic working. During the time of its existence, “Vedan Kolod” had revived numerous almost forgotten Russian Folk instruments – gusli, okarina, Slavonic drums, Scythian horn, sharkuncy and other, - restored and reconstructed by musical Master Valerii Naryshkin. All this ancient kinds of instruments are used actually in a program of band, as a low throat style of singing which is existed in native for Siberian musicians Siberia. All songs played without any electronic processing just live sound. Slavonic ethno-band "Vedan Kolod" has in its repertoire tradition folk songs, author‟s songs, stylized as folklore with real historical and legend material. Members: Tatyana Naryshkina – group leader. Main vocal, plays flutes, Slavonic drums, ocarina, fuyara, vargan and others. Valerii Naryshkin – musical instrument maker, on vocals, two kinds of gusli, Scythian horn, ocarina, Slavonic drums, vargan, zhaleika, Slav bagpipe, fuyara, gudok and others Daryana Antipova – Art-manager, on vocal, Slavonic big and small drums, fuyara, sharkuncy Polina Lisitsa – Slavonic small drum, vocal, lozhki, sharkuncy, flutes, vargan. Album "Tribes" (2005)
"The dance of the wood spirits" (2007)
Wolf's path" (2008)
The Ozark Medieval Fortress The project of Ozark Medieval Fortress is remarkable because it is putting into practice 13th century work methods, techniques and tools to build a castle in the middle of a forest, on a natural site that provides all the necessary building materials: water, stone, earth, sand, and wood. The primary goal of the Ozark Medieval Fortress project is to reproduce with utmost authenticity the technology used in the 13th century with the only limitation that of safety.
We are building a human structure that is more than a pile of beautifully arranged rocks. The workers will transmit their know-how to visitors. The fortress is a place where knowledge will be transmitted orally every day. For part of each day the workers and craftsmen will respond to questions from the timetravelers who are watching the Middle Ages trying in action. The Ozark Medieval Fortress is a living and permanently developing tableau of history where tourists, students of all ages, researchers and the staff of the fortress will come together. This unique experience that the fortress offers will bring alive the intersection where book knowledge meets the fascinating and colorful reality of the Middle Ages. The experience of visiting the fortress will hopefully inspire students of all ages to support educational and scientific studies. Each stage of work is validated by a committee of scientists to ensure the credibility of the building.
It is impossible to visit castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages without wondering how these buildings were constructed, where the materials came from, how they were transported, which tools were used or how such heavy loads were hoisted.
Building a 13th Century Fortress Michel Guyot, owner and restorer of the castle of Saint-Fargeau, in Burgundy (France) first had the idea of building a 13th century style fortress following the discovery that the 15th century red bricks of his castle obscured the stone walls of a much older fortress. In 1997 he launched GuĂŠdelon. Last September 2008, a letter arrived in St Fargeau from America. Jean-Marc & Solange Mirat, French citizens who retired in Arkansas 20 years ago, were offering to sell a part of their estate to build a similar castle. A board of 12 members, French and American, formed Ozark Medieval Fortress, LLC.
The Middle Ages in the USA Ozark Medieval Castle was born after Guyot confirmed the suitability of the site and fell in love with the Arkansas “Natural State�. At a time when environmental protection is of such concern, Ozark Medieval Fortress will provide practical lessons in sustainable building for green constructors of today. It will offer information on the making and use of wattle and daub, rubble walling, limebased mortar, traditional terracotta roof tiles, oak shingles, flax and hemp ropes.
An Educational & Scientific Adventure Ozark Medieval Fortress is an educational adventure, inviting onlookers by showing and explaining the past: the extraction of boulders, shaping of stone, the assembly of a wall, woodworking transportation of materials by means of horse and cart. Educational visits and field trips are available will be reserved for children. Ozark Medieval Fortress is a fun, outdoor, living history book! The scientific objective of Ozark Medieval Fortress is to build it in order to understand it. It acts to recreate in real life the procedures of construction, and the organization of a project from the 13th century. It is just like an archaeological dig in reverse, an open air laboratory. In order to insure the credibility and quality of the project, a scientific committee is in charge of studying and validating every stage of the construction. Christian Corvisier, a renowned French castellologue and art historian, has established the plans and will work in concert with Andrew Tallon, a professor at the Vassar College (NY). Ozark Medieval Fortress is unique and will be a humanitarian project. Versatility and adaptability are the magic words of the laborers here. Some of them are qualified professionals some are apprentices. They must be simultaneously good at their work and at informing passers-by who are hungry for more information.
Photos © Pascal Waringo & Roland Buc. Courtesy Bâtisseurs Médiévaux.
At Ozark Medieval Fortress, you won’t see any modern equipment. No digger-dumper, cranes, or yellow-helmeted surveyors and engineers are to be found on site. Instead, a 13-knot rope is used by the workers to work out the mathematics and geometry demanded by such an ambitious building. A rope with 13 knots was used in Medieval times as a measuring tool. It was an early version of the ruler that we use so often today. The use of a rope with knots as a measuring tool dates back to Egyptian times. Over the years the number of knots in a measuring rope varied. The master builders of Medieval times, the builders of castles and cathedrals, used 13 knots in their measuring ropes.
Why 13 knots? A rope with 13 knots is a rope with 12 equal spaces. With 12 equal spaces, master builders could form many geometric shapes, including three kinds of triangles – equilateral, isosceles, and scalene. A rope with 12 equal spaces was a tool from which an apprentice could easily learn addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 12 is a number that can be divided evenly by 2, 3, 4, and 6. A rope with 12 equal spaces was an essential tool for designing an arch. A rope with 12 equal spaces was a tool that artisans used to share important measurement information.
The number 12 was a number that was very familiar to people who lived in Medieval times. There were 12 months in the year. Each day was 24 hours long, that is, two times twelve. There were 12 apostles, and 12 signs of the zodiac. The rope with 12 equal spaces led directly to the invention of the ruler that we use today for measuring, to the invention of a tool for drawing perfect squares, and to the invention of the compass.
PROJECT MAKE A 13-KNOT ROPE. Materials
needed
are:
a
rope,
preferably
made
of
hemp
or
jute,
and
hands or a ruler, for measuring. Simply start at one end of the rope and tie a knot. Then tie 12 other knots at equal distances from each other. Check that the distances are equal by folding the rope in half. See how many geometric shapes you can make by folding the rope. Can you make a perfect circle using the 13-knot rope?
THE CORONATION OF A KING. With the founding of Ozark Medieval Fortress, historic and chronologic milestones were set. At the beginning of Ozark Medieval Fortress, we find ourselves in 1226. Louis IX – future Saint-Louis – was just crowned king at Reims. But being too young to rule, it is his mother Blanche de Castille who assures the reign of the kingdom until 1235. In 1228, a league of disloyal lords are trying to kidnap the king. He is locked in a castle near Paris and has to wait for an army of reinforcements from the capital to require the company of insurgents to lift the siege. Blanche of Castile should negotiate to maintain the unity of the kingdom until the king is old enough to reign.
PEASANTS IN THE MIDDLE AGES Peasants and their families live in small, simple houses in a village. The houses are made of wood or dried mud, and are covered with a thatch roof. Often they have only a single room. Only a little light penetrates into the room through small windows without glass over which shutters close at night. The floor is dirt. The furniture is very simple: trunks, a few benches, and a bed with a straw mattress. The diet of the family has almost no variety. Pork is a mainstay of the diet. The pork comes from pigs slaughtered at the beginning of the winter and preserved in salt. The pigs also furnish bacon that is eaten at weddings, christenings, or other celebrations. The rest of the time the peasants eat vegetable soup, flat bread, porridge made from rye or barley, and dark rye bread. Bread is the basic staple of the diet, and each person eats about a kilo every day. In their garden a peasant family raises vegetables (peas, beans, carrots, celery), and medicinal plants. They pick fruit from trees. Some of the fruit is from grafted trees. There is a farmyard with a few chickens near each house. The raising of livestock is not well developed. In the fields around the village peasants grow the grains, especially barley and wheat, that are the basis of their diet. Each person eats about a kilo a day of grain in one form or another. Each day the peasant farmer pulls on his breeches and his tunic, and wraps a cape woven of wool or flax around his shoulders. In cold weather the peasant never goes out without his hood and his boots of soft leather, with laces, that protect most of his legs from rain and mud. In the summer he dresses lighter in a simple jacket and a hat to protect him from the sun. Women wear dresses, over which they sometimes wear aprons. They always cover their head. From the eleventh to the fourteenth century, the countryside changes dramatically. Water mills and new windmills permit grain to be ground faster than ancient arm-powered mills could grind it. Tools formerly made of wood, but more and more made of metal, become more effective. With a shoulder collar, horses work faster than they did when they wore a neck collar, which choked them. Peasants learn to use the soil better by rotating crops. They bring some organization to their chaotically disordered fields. The technical advances, and also a more favorable climate, lead to an increase in crop yields. In the thirteenth century one seed put in the ground produces four plants instead of the two that were produced in the ninth century. It is from this point that the life of peasants evolved.
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
Poem on the battle of Thermopylae. Thermopylae The Persians raised a mighty force, all Europe they would take But starting on the free Greeks first was Xerxes big mistake The Greeks had the world‟s best infantry, in horsemen they were poor But that lack counted for nothing as they held a narrow shore The sea stood on their northern flank with mountains to the south The invaders had no option but to march into the passes gaping mouth So the Persian leader Xerxes offered the Greeks gold to stand aside But the Spartan‟s wouldn‟t take it, “Never” their leader Leonidas then cried “I have ten thousand Persian bows, arrows will darken the bright sky If you don‟t accept my offer, every one of you will die” In the sunshine, a man of Sparta, this laconic reply made “If you hide away the sunshine , we can fight you in the shade.” Then the talking was all over, a huge Persian force engaged But the Greeks beat them off easily and King Xerxes was enraged Next day he launched a stronger force ,„The Immortals,‟ his best men Imagine now his fury when the Greeks beat them back again There it should have ended, the Persian‟s simply could not succeed When a shepherd named Ephialtes, for gold displayed his greed, “Great King there is a better way than trying to bash straight through I know a path through the high hills, with defenders far too few” The path was known to Leonidas, he had it blocked by local troops Yet somehow the Persians passed them by, outflanking his main groups At least the Spartan king was warned, by a runner he was told, “The Persian army comes against your back, this pass you cannot hold” The Delphic Oracle foretold that all Greece would be for the sack Unless a Spartan King was killed, holding Xerxes hordes well back Not all the Greeks could get away, the Persian horsemen rode too fast So a rear guard had to hold the pass and fight unto the very last Then Leonidas called to all the Greeks, “We Spartans here must stay But all the rest of you must flee to fight this foe another day” Then left Corinthians, Arcadians, Phlians and Mantineans, The Phocians, Locrians, Tegeans, Melians and the Myceneans, Reluctantly all marched away ,their homelands to defend Covered by the famous Spartans who would hold unto the bitter end The men of Thebes and Thespia, with the Spartans cast their weight “We‟ll fight beside you and die here, happy to share your fate”
Now resolute the Greeks attacked and a bloody fight began Spears met shields and flesh was flayed as they grappled man to man Two Persian princes soon were slain, many heroes had been killed When mighty King Leonidas died, the oracle fulfilled The Greeks were held, their King was dead and Persians massed to front and rear The Theban men surrendered, the final outcome was now clear A sea of Persians swept all around, pressing hard as Greeks fell back Together Thespians and Spartans stood to face the last attack Totally surrounded, the Persian arrows masked the Sun Raining down for hours and hours until the killing was all done Brave men were slain and slaughtered, at a place called Thermopylae Believing by their sacrifice that freedom would never die A stone stands for the fallen, at the place of The Hot Gates A statue of the Spartan King, a reminder of the fickleness of fates A message lies upon it, the writing is in Greek In verse that is Laconic, hear what the heroes speak: Tell them in Sparta, passer by That here, obedient to her laws, we lie. Historical note: Thermopylae, 480BC
Arriving overland in late summer, a Persian army of at least a quarter million men led by Xerxes invaded Europe to subjugate Greece. A defending army of about 11,000 men, including just 300 Spartans and lead by the Spartan king Leonidas, moved to stop them at the pass of Thermopylae, The Hot Gates. (During the Spartan festival of Carneia Spartan law forbade military activity, preventing the cities full force from being mobilised.) After four days of negotiation the Persians attacked but failed to make any impression on the Greek defence. Another attack the next day had much the same result, but then a Persian force was guided through the mountains by a Greek traitor. About a thousand Greeks held their position while the rest of the army withdrew safely. Four hundred Thebans surrendered (and were branded by the victorious Persians with „The Royal Markâ€&#x;), but the rest were wiped out. It is estimated that the Greeks suffered about a thousand dead while inflicting twenty times as many on the Persians. Leonidas - Leonidas The Persians eventually failed in their enterprise largely due to a massive naval defeat at the battle of Salamis. The main source for this story is the Greek Herodotus, believed to have written his account about forty years after the event. Note -at no point in the battle was the Greek force just 300 Spartans. They start with about 11,000 men and at the end the men of Thespia stood with the remnants of the 300 to face the final attack...
Scottish Crafts in aid of the Christian minority in the Holy Land One may be wonder how a Scot, became interested in the Holy Land and Christian crafts workers in particular? The answer is quite simple. Towards the end of last year and the beginning of this one when the Arctic weather conditions that hit the UK forced the closure of our studio for three months. I decided to look at adding another category to the Sculptured Craft range: Christian. Rather than design and have sculpted a completely new set of figures, I would source figures direct from the Holy Land. Unfortunately, I could not find any, there seemed to be no producers of our type of figures in the Christian heartland. As it transpired, what has happened, as in so much of the figurine market, the majority of religious figures available for sale today are made in the Far East. Even researching the figures for sale in gift shops in Rome in the vicinity of the Vatican City, they were mainly Chinese made. I asked friends to research the gift shops in Jerusalem and the story was the same. Being a craftsman and formally a marketing man, it seemed a ridiculous situation that in the birthplace of Christianity, Chinese made figures dominate the market. However, my research did draw my attention to the plight of the Christian craft workers in the Holy Land. I read report after report on a diminishing population, poor education, bad housing, lack of employment opportunities and workshop closures. A United Nation report states that some 240 workshops have closed in the Bethlehem area in the last 10 years. During my research, I could find no real concentrated effort to create an international market for Christian made products. Which, at first, I found surprising, however when you consider that there is no government funded export department actively working on their behalf. You can then well understand the difficulties that they face. Having been in marketing for 30 odd years prior to Sculptured Crafts, I, in my wisdom, decided to use my marketing experience to try and help them. To this end I set about creating a marketing medium to help the diminishing Christian artisans in the Holy Land sell their products abroad. I did not realise what I was letting myself in for and the project has taken on a life of itâ€&#x;s own and without any publicity word has spread around the world. I was invited and attended a meeting at the Vatican with the Reverend Monsignor Hans Bouwers, Chancellor of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. We have arranged to meet up again in the Holy Land; the Rev. Msgr is an American from Philadelphia. The Vatican Post Office, the actual one in the Vatican City, not the public one that tourists send post cards from, have offered us dispensation to send mail and parcels from in the cause of helping the Christian minority in the Holy Land. Offer of help and support have poured in from all corners of the globe. From America, the office of Sir Rateb Rabie (KHS), President of The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation, has been in touch. From Italy the Marquise Enrico Manfredi Luserne d'Angrogne of the Catholic Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George and through them the, Brandenburg Bailiwick of the Chivalric Order of Saint John of the Hospital at Jerusalem, the German prostestant branch of the Knights Hospitaller. From Palestine, Mr. Hazaboun, Director of Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and George Rishmawi, International Relations Director of the Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society We have the active support of the British Embassy to the Holy See as well as the British Embassy in Jerusulem and the British Consolute General to Palastine.
Many other individuals and organisations, too many to mention, from countries around the world, have came forward in support of our rallying call; Your fellow Christians in the Holy land need your help! Together, we can make a difference. Using our existing resources we are producing a Crusader Knight of Jerusalem, which will be sold through Christian organisations with a donation from each sale going to The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. All purchasers will receive their Knight posted to them from the Vatican Post Office The boxed Knight will be wrapped in fine parchment paper with the recipients address hand scripted. Enabling them to frame the part of packaging displaying their address with their unique Vatican stamps to keep as a special memento. Purchasers of these Knights will not only be aiding their fellow Christians in the blessed, but blighted region of the Holy Land, it will also bring a little piece of St Peters and The Vatican City closer to them. Sales of this Knight will also help towards our aim of opening a manufacturing facility to produce Christian figures in the Holy Land employing Christian workers. We are in the process of turning the marketing medium I created into a proper entity with registration, trademarks and copyrights being applied for. Details of the marketing organisation will be released when the various registrations are complete. For further information please contact me direct: james@sculpturedcrafts.co.uk Thank you for taking the time to read this. My very best regards and God Bless. James Miller Wilkins Founder of Sculptured Crafts
Events Listing April 2010 3rd – 5th MSS at Hedingham Castle, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 2nd – 6th The 12th Annual Sword of Honour team joust at Leeds Royal Armouries, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=112153892131371&mid=2148c87G2a41059eG4550843G7&n 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/ 10th & 11th MARCHE DE L'HISTOIRE DE PONTOISE, CERGY PONTOISE, FRANCE http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=103235249713501&mid=2148403G2a41059eG454f990G7&n 10th & 11th Torneo di Scherma Medievale in Armatura Fiesole 2010, Castello di Poggio (Fiesole-Firenze) http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=427296950600&mid=201c720G2a41059eG43f3133G7&n 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 & 25th MSS at Cressing Temple Barns, Cressing Temple, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 24th & 25th St georges Multi-period festival weekend, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, UK For information contact: www.wryngwyrmuk.org 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/ 27th Pirates of Barbary, Pheonix Theatre, London, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=103177619722391&mid=217dbacG2a41059eG458ae4aG7&n
May 2010 1st & 2nd Gettysburg of the West, Santa Fe, New Mexico(El Rancho de las Golondrinas L/H Museum) http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=110232392324260&mid=20dbd0eG2a41059eG44d1633G7&n 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 2nd & 3rd Henry Morgan‟s Buccaneers, Caldicot Castle, Monmouthshire, Wales. http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=10150127737430277&mid=2088e5eG2a41059eG44725ffG7&n 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 29th – 31st The MSS are re-enacting part of The Battle of Barnet (1471) on the original battle site! For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk
June 2010 1st -6th The Knights of Royal England at Leeds Castle, Kent, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 4th – 7th Pencampwr 2010, Wandi, Western Australia http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=336376266428&mid=216b187G2a41059eG4576688G7&n 5th & 6th Ealdfaeder at Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk 5th & 6th De Quaeye Werelt anno 1477, Sterckshof, Deurne, Antwerp, Belgium http://www.facebook.com/l/79d80;www.delegendevzw.be/ 5th & 6th The MSS at Weald Country Park, Essex, UK For information: http://www.medieval-seige-society.co.uk 5th & 6th Templecombe Medieval fayre, Templecombe, Dorset, UK
12th & 13th The Knights of Royal England at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Essex, UK www.knightsroyal.co.uk 12th & 13th Les 27 Medievales de Provins 2010, Provins(77), France http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=202832923593&mid=1fac610G2a41059eG436f6f3G7&n 12th – 14th Guild Combat Weekend Invitation, 5 Schofield Rd, Wyee, New South Wales, Australia For Information: http://www.swordguild.com/pdf/Guild-invite_to-June-2010.pdf 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 http://www.facebook.com/l/4c0b0;www.dorsetmedievalfestival.co.uk
Came,
Dorchester,
Dorset,
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 9th – 11th Tournoi de Franche-Comte 2010, Moncley (Besancon-25), France http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=377227486349&mid=1fc4c9cG2a41059eG4388b30G7&n 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
15th – 17th The Battle Tradionaly of Grunwald (1410-2010) at Grunwald, Poland http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=358736576231&mid=20204ddG2a41059eG43f9a3aG7&n 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 Coracles & Castles, Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=111450295534065&mid=21425e9G2a41059eG4545afcG7&n 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 Feathers & Flights, Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire, Wales http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=103269639709469&mid=2142226G2a41059eG45455dcG7&n 7th & 8th De fer et de feu, Rebecq, Belgium http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=316716813226&mid=1eb0e99G2a41059eG41741c4G7 7th & 8th Military & Flying Machines Show, Daymns Hall Aerodrome, Upminster, Essex http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=291940703278&mid=2083c54G2a41059eG4469789G7&n 14th Belton House National Trust WW2 RAF event, Lincolnshire, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=338066422154&mid=1f5ea06G2a41059eG430dc86G7
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 Aarschot 1489 – editie 2010, Domein Elzenhof http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=296931636114&mid=2016676G2a41059eG43ec036G7&n 14th & 15th Ealdfaeder at Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK For information contact: pete@gippeswic.demon.co.uk 14th & 15th Barnas Viking Festival, Trondenes/Harstad http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=445461745236&mid=20880a7G2a41059eG4470c6bG7&n_ 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 22nd Fete Medievale De L‟Alpe D‟Huez, France http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=105661962798645&mid=215df6cG2a41059eG4569e7bG7&n 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 28th – 30th The 6th Medieval Spectacular Festival, Pensthorpe, Norfolk, UK http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=375662809571&mid=1fd9602G2a41059eG439ddf3G7&n
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
MILITARY and FLYING MACHINES! THE ESSEX CLASSIC MILITARY VEHICLE AND AIRCRAFT SHOW
7/8 AUGUST 2010 Following the tremendous success of last year‟s show the Essex Classic Military Vehicle and Aircraft Show will once again held at the impressive Damyns Hall Aerodrome in Upminster, Essex. Damyns Hall is one of the few airfields in Britain that is located within the M25 and is less than two miles from the wartime airfield of RAF Hornchurch. This year‟s event marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and pays homage to the brave men and women who risked their lives during the darkest days of 1940, defeating Hitler‟s Luftwaffe and paving the way for victory. The event will be opened by a local WW2 veteran who will start proceedings by firing the 25pdr field gun. Over the course of the weekend the 1940‟s will be revisited with displays of three life-size replica Spitfires, over 250 vintage military vehicles, an armored vehicle parade, and for the first time since the war an example of every military vehicle that was produced locally at Fords Dagenham plant will be reunited. There will also be dazzling aircraft fly-overs including a WW2 Spitfire, a Messerschmitt 108, and a breathtaking wing-walking display on a 1930‟s Boeing Stearman Biplane. There will also be an opportunity to meet over 50 living history groups, creating an exceptional atmosphere at this memorable event. Damyns Hall Aerodrome is an excellent location for an event that provides a distinctive vintage feel and makes one of the most powerful events in world history exciting and accessible. Over 10,000 people attended last year and the Essex Branch of the Military Vehicle Trust have worked hard to ensure a great day out for all of the family in 2010. There are many things that may surprise and educate through the day, not least of which is a full size submarine conning tower in the middle of an airfield. . .
The show will feature numerous historic military vehicles from many nations, armies and periods, including everything from a bicycle to jeeps, trucks, armored vehicles, tanks and a very rare and massive “Dragon Wagon” armored tank recovery vehicle.
Vintage aircraft displays and fly in; an opportunity to see classic aircraft of yesteryear. Displays include: Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (pending final confirmation), a WW2 Spitfire and a Messerschmitt 108, Wing walking with a Boeing Stearman of WW2 vintage, Bell “MASH” helicopter, and the Turbulent Tigers display team who specialise in flying under a banner held high by manpower! With more displays still to be confirmed.
Flour Bombing! Your opportunity to fly in a 1930‟s vintage aircraft and drop flour bombs on a target! We hope it‟s a tank!
Over 50 Living History displays will be playing an important part in this years show with large areas of the aerodrome given over to living history groups including a representation of a WW1 trench system. These range from the medieval period through to the present.
Arena displays, including equipment and tactics displays, Vehicle Parade, Armoured vehicle procession and Tank running. We even get the kids involved. And expect some loud bangs when we are privileged enough to experience the awesome WW2 25pdr field gun opening and closing each day‟s events.
As if that‟s not enough, there will also be stalls selling all manner of collectables, uniforms, militaria for the military enthusiast or those who just want to own a little bit of history. In addition a shooting gallery and stalls for all the family!
With even more refreshment facilities, including the bar and marquee and all day live entertainment, you will find there is so much to see and do at this exciting event. CONTACT 01245 476249
www.militaryandflyingmachines.org.uk
The Old Tales 010
The Northern Bear
It was a dark and violent time, in a world long forgotten, even by history, when great lords lived in the north. It was a time of kings and heroes, powerful gods and great warriors. It was a time that much was spoken of, but little if anything was written. In a village that was never named, one young family whose long fathers had been born there, had taken in a young boy and he was now being trained as a warrior and being taught a traditional craft. This boy was a stranger to these people, as he was from the land beyond the Darken Forest. He had been found when very young, wandering alone in the forest. Cold and hungry he would soon have died had the hunter not found him, with a day or two, he would never have been found, and his story would never have been told. As the years passed, as the must for all men, he grew strong and fair. He made his foster family proud as any son should, and he made his teacher proud as a young warrior. His crafts master was also proud. His skills came naturally to him, and it showed in his work. His was an unusual life, for normally such a foundling would have been sold as a slave, but the family who found him and took him in, refused to allow this to be done. They felt there was something different about the child, that to sell him would dishonour the Forest. The child needed to be free. The local wise-woman also told the Council that she felt that this child was destined for greater things. The Council decided to accept this from her, for only a fool argues with the wise-woman. But even for her it was not clear. There was something that she knew yet she could not speak of it, because she could not see it clearly. When he came of twelve years of age, the age of passage of these people, the boy died and a man was raised up in his place. He was passed as a warrior and as a master black smith, and he was free to go as his heart would take him. He took to the roads of his second home, helping those who could get no help elsewhere. He would use his sword to end disputes, stop bandits and protect those who were threatened. He would use his hammers to repair wagons, farm implements and other tools. The years continued to pass, and he became known and loved throughout the land. His skilled works and his gentle manner, his honesty and his pure heart forged a reputation that travelled ahead of his feet. He was welcome in any house; even the halls of the king were open to him, yet he could not seem to settle anywhere. When he turned twenty, he determined that he should seek out his natural family. He was certain that that it was the uncertainty of his past that would allow him to have a settled future. He had to find out. He knew that there would be many dangers on the road he must take, particularly the road through the forest, and he sought the counsel of the wisewoman, before preparing himself.
She regretted that she could not tell him anymore now than she had told his foster parents then. The truth about this young man was being shielded from her by whatever it was that had protected him as a small boy. He packed up everything he owned in the world, and having said his goodbyes, he set off on his long journey. What dangers he met and won against, what denizens & creatures he encountered in the darkest places of the deep forest have never been told. His adventures as he travelled across the great forest of Darken, that lay between the two lands are not recorded. What is told of the final trial that he faced as he walked once more in the light having passed beyond the forest mark is known. Having left the great forest at his back, he knew that he was now travelling through the land of his birth. He started to relax, as the hardest part of the journey was done. He was standing in a shallow river, the water was clean. So all he had to do was to follow the river to the first village he found and there he could start asking around. He stopped for a while, standing in the water to catch a few fish. The new shadows were following the path of the light when he realised that he was also being hunted. That area of the river, or at least the fishing and game rights over the river, was owned by someone else. And in a situation of „wrong place at the wrong timeâ€&#x;, that someone else had just arrived to lay claim to his rights. The river was owned by a very large, and now a very angry bear. It was this bear that was now approaching the young man. The young man withdrew from the water backing towards the tree tine and he drew his sword. Still he knew that against the huge bear that now faced him, he could neither hope to fight or flee. Even if he got back into the forest, he might be more manoeuvrable, but the bear could track his scent for days. The first time he slept, he would not wake. He knew that he was dead, but he was prepared to make a fight of it. What he did not know was that the challenging roar of the attacking bear had been heard by another young man who was hunting nearby, and he was now running in the direction of the river, and the sounds of the fight about to commence. Suddenly the bear fell back in shock. It looked confused and uncertain about its attack. It was now facing two men, who looked much alike, both armed with swords, and the bear could sense that both men were prepared to fight until death claimed them. The bear would probably still win, but it would be neither an easy or a painless victory. After a few moments stand-off, and some angry exchanges, the bear withdrew. Thinking the better of the whole situation he decided to head back up river to seek an easier meal elsewhere. He knew the men would head down river, and he did not want to meet them again. The two men sheathed their blades. Their blood slowly calmed as they realised they would not be needing to fight this day. They sat upon the riverbank, laughing and joking about the stupidity and hopelessness of the situation that could so swiftly have killed them both. After a while they had settled down. They watched the shadows grow longer as they shared some honey cakes and cheese. The young warrior picked up his pack and the new
companions set off together for the village where the young hunter lived. The bond of friendship was fixed between and could not be ended by any man. On arriving at the village, the hunter took his new found friend to see the cunning-man. The old man of lore, to relate what had taken place by the river. When this was done, the young warrior also told his lifeâ€&#x;s story, at least, as much of it as he knew, and how he came to be at the river. The old man did not need to consider for very long to find the answer, for to him, it could be seen quite plainly. The wise woman could not see the truth for she did not know the past. The cunning-man did know the past. He told the young men what he could see, and what he knew. He told them that many animals could see more deeply into a manâ€&#x;s soul, than that man can probably see himself. They could see in each other, two men trying to fight off an attack from an angry bear. Alone, this would not have been enough, and the bear would have attacked. The bear could have their auras, not only matched but melding, surrounding both men with a single energy. What the bear could see was two Brothers. Each man prepared to fight to the death to protect the other. Two men who would die themselves before letting the other come to any harm. From this the bear turned aside for his own protection. Both of the young men laughed at this prospect. Brothers? How could that possibly be true? The warrior knew that he was adopted as a foundling but the hunter knew nothing of this. He was an only child, so much as he knew. The old man then told the young hunter something that his parents had never told him, because of the distress it would have caused. When they were very young, he and his brother had been lost in the edge of the forest, when the river was lowest and cold be forded. Only he had ever been found, and it had always been assumed that his brother had died within a couple of days of being lost. Even the old man, with his clear sight of old lore, could see the hidden blood kinship between the two men. It was the plain truth. It was this that the bear had seen, and backed away from. At this, the two brothers faced each other once more, and suddenly realised what they had seen and felt between them before, but had considered to be impossible. It had been right, to come before the old man. They fell into each otherâ€&#x;s arms, tearful and joyful. So many years apart lost behind them, yet so many more years together lying before them. Two families in two lands, separated by the Darken Forest, yet tied together by blood. Suddenly they could be grateful for the many strange twists of life that had brought them to this moment. And they knew just how much they owed, to a chance meeting with The Northern Bear.