A history of Cardiff castle based re-enactment groups.

 

The idea came into existence at “Cosmesston” in at the end of the1999 season with Neil Butler the group leader of the “Vaughan” household mentioning to Karen Child, (also a member of the “Vaughan” household at that time.) “Wouldn’t it be great to have a base in South Wales?”

 

Karen who then started her new job at Cardiff Castle in Feb. 2000 approached the castle management to enquire if they would like to have a re-enactment group to hold activities at the castle.

Unfortunately the then management was unable to see the advantages of the idea at that time.

 

Later with a change in management  the new castle manager Kevin Burt became aware (over a period of time and constant persuasion from Karen) of the benefits that a re-enactment group could bring to the castles visiting public and indicated that he was in agreement with the idea in principle for re-enactment activities to be held at the castle. Later the manager then approached Karen and asked if she could help with the arrangements for such an activity in the new season.

 

Early in the 2001 season a number of meetings were arranged between Alex Armstrong also of the “Vaughan” household and Kevin Burt the castle manager to start the first castle based re-enactment event at the castle open day  on the 15^th and 16^th September 2001. However the “Vaughan” household was unable to attend the event due to logistical problems and despite Alex’s hard work this proposed first event was not attended.

 

A number of meetings were held between Alex Armstrong, Karen Child and Kevin Burt around the September 2001 period and from these the idea came to set up “The Retinue” re-enactment group to run the medieval re-enactment event at Cardiff castle by a local castle based group.

It also should be mentioned that the 15^th October 2001 meeting had the additional aid of * ***** * (then a “Batel” member at this time) helping “The Retinue” with ideas for its events.

 

In the 2002 season with the “Retinue” attending meetings at the castle in March plans were made to hold the first ever medieval re-enactment weekend at Cardiff castle on the 17^th to the 19^th May 2002. This event successfully took place as planned and also owes its success to Trish, Gor (the knights of longshanks), * ***** * (of Battel) Andy the medic from other groups at that time.

 

That year other “Retinue” events were held at the castle on the weekends of June 7^th, July 6^th, and July 19^th with only the August event being cancelled. The last “Retinue” weekend event was held on the 27^th September bringing the 2002 season to an end.

 

Early in October 2002 meetings with Karen Child (Retinue), Alex Armstrong (Retinue), Kevin Eddy (conquest) and * ***** * (of Batel) were arranged to discuss the leaving of Alex Armstrong to take his new job. It was agreed that the “Retinue” would dissolve at this time with the final business being the handing over and the sharing of it’s assets on the 8^th October 2002.

 

At the end of the 2002 season a booking was made with Karen Child to provide medieval re enactors for a wedding banquette to be held at the castle on the 1^st November 2002. While private re-enactors were acquired for this event, this highlighted the fact that a re-enactment group would still be appreciated at the castle to continue its activities.

 

At the start of the new 2003 season on the 12^th Feb. 2003 a meeting was held at the Owain Glyndwr with Karen, Kev Eddy, * ** * and Steve attending, at this meeting a proposal was made to start a new group to run the Cardiff Castle event. * **** * suggested that this new group should be called “The Cardiff Castle Garrison”.

 

On the 24^th Feb. 2003 a meeting was arranged by Karen for * ***** * and Kevin Burt to meet to arrange possible coming events for the Cardiff Castle Garrison to attend.

This culminated in the first Cardiff Castle Garrison event taking place on the weekend of the 3^rd May 2003, with help from “Conquest” Anglo – Norman society.

The Cardiff Castle Garrison is still holding medieval re-enactment events at Cardiff Castle to this day.

 

(* ***** * This name has been withdrawn at this time due to behaviour  unbecoming of a member of the garrison)