Events

Members of the group took part in the National Army Museum's multi-period medical event 'From leeches to lasers', and also a multi-period medical event at Donington-Le-Heath Manor House, organised by Vicky. Both of these events were a success, and gave us the opportunity to meet and get to know re-enactors of other periods. We then returned to the National Army Museum in June for their 'Food in the Field' event - focussing on military provisioning of food, and again in September for 'London Soldier'.

In April we took part in the Livery and Maintenance 'training' event at Lincoln Castle, and on the first May Bank Holiday we did a 'Tales'-centred event at the Prebendal Manor House, Nassington. This event also included displays of food and diet, medicine, archery, laundry etc, but unfortunately we had few visitors through due to other local events on the same dates. The second May Bank Holiday saw us running an event at Hartlebury Castle, nr Kidderminster, to which we invited Nesfield's Retinue and others for the Sunday/Monday. Neil and Vicky stayed until the Thursday for a more focussed event during half-term week, with 'Tales' and interactive displays. We will be returning to Hartlebury again in 2004.

Other events included the English Heritage multi-period 'Festival of History' event at Stoneleigh as part of Livery and Maintenance. We also took part in the final Livery and Maintenance event of the year, at Tutbury Castle.

Federation of the Wars of the Roses events included Blore Heath and Bosworth, and we organised the march from Donington to Bosworth as in previous years. We also returned to Archeon again, organised by Nesfield's Retinue, and Eastnor Castle with the Berkeley Household. Finally, we helped to organise a 'Food through the ages' event at Donington-Le-Heath in October.

In 2002 Michael Jones published a book entitled 'Bosworth 1485: The Psychology of a Battle'.

This cited evidence to suggest that the battle had occurred at Atherstone in Warwickshire rather than at the current battlefield visitors' centre in Leicestershire.

Because of this book, in March 2003, Atherstone Hertiage Centre put on a display about the common soldier during the Wars of the Roses, using replica military equipment on loan from Sir William Gascoigne's Fellowship. The exhibition created much interest.

The year started yet again with our February event at Donington-Le-Heath Manor House, run along similar lines as before. We were also involved in a number of other multi-period events at Donington over the year. Other events included an Easter event at Middleton Hall, and a one-day event at Blaby Country Park, Leicestershire.

We also did the 15th century part of a multi-period event at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, as well as a 'Food through the Ages' event at Donington-Le-Heath, and took part in two events for the National Army Museum, 'Soldiers' Wives, Soldiers' Lives', and a promotional event at Horse Guards Parade.

We also participated in a Berkeley Household event at Eastnor Castle and a weeklong event in Archeon, Holland.

Other multi-group events included a siege at Scarborough Castle, and Kirby Hall for Livery and Maintenance, and Bosworth for the Federation of the Wars of the Roses. However, for the Bosworth event, we were camped at Donington-Le-Heath Manor House, displaying military living history there, with the soldiers marching the 8 miles to Bosworth in time for the battle on the Sunday. Other members of the Federation came to Donington to participate in this march.

The year started again with an event at Donington-Le-Heath in February. This was along similar lines to previous year's events with both military and domestic demonstrations, but also included the first performance of the 'Tales', which proved very popular, both with the public, and the museum staff. We were also involved in a number of other multi-period events at Donington over the year.

We also did two English Heritage events: Scarborough Castle and Pickering Castle. Scarborough was a 'military living history event', run along similar lines to Carlisle Castle in 2000, although we also used the castle keep as a small stage for the 'Tales', keeping within the military encampment scenario. At Pickering, we used the ruined castle walls to provide an 'interior area' for some domestic activity, to complement the military demonstrations. 'Tales' were told in the chapel.

A multi-period event at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings saw another opportunity to perform the 'Tales', and food related 'Tales' were told at Barley Hall, York, for National Food Week. Members of the group also participated in a 'first person' event at the National Army Museum, Chelsea.

We also took part in the Federation of the Wars of the Roses events at Cosemeston Medieval Village (where one of our members won the archery competition!), and at Bosworth. For the Bosworth event, we organised and participated in a march from Donington-Le-Heath Manor House, to the battlefield centre, in time to participate in the battle re-enactment on the Sunday of the event. This 8-mile march was done entirely in 15th C clothing, whilst wearing sallets and jacks and carrying weapons.

Livery and Maintenance events included Kirby Hall, a siege at Old Sarum, and a Lammas Festival at Warwick Castle. We were also pleased to be invited to a Berkeley Household event at Eastnor Castle.

2000 was a busy season for the group. Highlights included our February event at Donington-Le-Heath Manor House in Leicestershire, for which the scenario was recruitment for the battle of Towton. This allowed for both military demonstrations, as well as domestic activity within the house itself. We were also involved in a number of multi-period events at Donington over the year, and another at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings.

We also did an event for English Heritage at Carlisle Castle at which we did 'military living history' as well as arena displays. A small camp was set up in which we demonstrated military equipment and its upkeep, brewing, field cooking, medicine, hunting techniques, games etc. Timetabled demonstrations included Military Drill, Archery (including a speed-shoot), Fighting techniques and weapons, as well as Food and Diet and Medicine. Another English Heritage event in 2000 was at Scarborough Castle, in support of a jousting show. In line with the scenario of the event we demonstrated a range of skills in the camp, but also did timetabled military and archery displays in the arena.

Other events included Livery and Maintenance events at Stafford, Kenilworth (a siege), Barnard Castle (a siege), Warwick (a festival), and Kirby Hall (Military in Action), and the Federation of the Wars of the Roses event at Bosworth.