Hiring us

Sir William Gascoigne's Fellowship is a small group of experienced late 15th century interpreters, run by Neil McGurk. The group owns the highest quality equipment and clothing, and are experienced in running events. We have worked for a wide selection of employers, such as English Heritage, The National Army Museum, Leicestershire County Council, Middleton Hall Trust, Barley Hall and others.

We specialise in displays of late 15th Century life, either indoors or in an 'authentic' camp, specialising in very interactive displays and in thoroughly researched presentations on both military and 'domestic' topics.

We can work to a scenario, or a specific focus, for example, we have done purely 15thC medical events, military, food and diet, money and numeracy, medieval painting etc.

The cost of employing Sir William Gascoigne's Fellowship depends upon the nature of the event, and is negotiable. We can usually tailor an event to suit most budgets.

All of these activities are done with the highest degree of authenticity and are meticulously researched. It is our aim to portray the life of the common person in the Wars of the Roses as accurately as knowledge allows.

The Tales

Military Scenarios

Late 15th century military events are often part of a large 'battle re-enactments', where the public is entertained by a large number of soldiers, from a distance. Sir William Gascoigne's Fellowship can portray a small military encampment, and engage in 'military living history' activities to inform and entertain the public on a smaller scale. We can do timetabled military demonstrations (archery and combat) with detailed and interactive commentary - the men practice with their weaponry, bills, bows and side-arms of swords and daggers. However, our approach is essentially interactive, as the public are encouraged to talk to the re-enactors, handle equipment and ask questions, and this serves as a good educational activity for children.

Living history activities are always appropriate to the scenario, even within a military camp. We can demonstrate the preparation for hunting (including making nets and fishing equipment), and authentic maintenance of equipment, arrow fletching, cooking and brewing. Food and diet is often an important part of our demonstrations, as all of our food is prepared to 15th century recipes, with an explanation of the importance of each foodstuff at different levels of society. When not training or working, the men relax by playing 15th century games. A few women are employed in the camp as sick-nurses, and as laundresses, to dispel the myths surrounding medieval medicine and hygiene.

Domestic Scenarios

We equally able to present domestic scenarios, demonstrating food and diet, medicine, textile crafts, the use of medieval counting boards etc. Again, this is on an interactive level, and is usually best combined with the 'Tales'.

Dependent upon the venue, domestic activities can be combined into a military event by working to the scenario of recruitment of the local tenant farmers for campaign. This combines the 'every-day life' aspect of living history (including textile crafts, rush-light dipping etc), with accurate military demonstrations to give the greatest range in appeal to members of the public.