As I’ve already stated here and there on this blog, I’m big into medieval re-enacting and living history so I thought I’d put up some pics of what I look like in my armour and some of my favoured weaponry. Yes its all real!!! My sword in itself took 8 months to be forged and mailed to me by those kind folks at Armourclass. They kept me informed every step of the way and use only the methods available at the time (1400’s) to produce the sword which you can see below -
This is what it looked like when I first got it, its a bit more battle worn now! It is a 13th-14th century Norman Longsword, favoured by knights and heavy infantry of the time. Which suits me nicely since I typically potray both of these at events, although not on horseback! This sword is my loyal companion on and off the field and it has saved my ‘life’ on the field on more than one occasion. It is named in latin but it translates into – ‘Faith through Adversity” This is my family’s motto and it holds through to my life which is why my sword was bestowed with the name.
The above pic is part of the street battle we fought in Newcastle West in 2006 for St. Patricks day. I marked myself out but alas I’m fully armoured so you dont get to see my face yet! This is just after the celtic spear line has pushed us backwards up the street, some 300 metres and we are reforming our lines into a shieldwall to meet their coming charge.
Since we are the ‘bad guys’ in that we represent King John of England, we are his army after all, we often lose the battle as nothing incites and riles up a crowd more than playing up the bad guy angle and then losing. They will love you and hate you but afterwards all they want is a picture which we are more than happy to oblige so if you read this and happen to see us perform, please don’t hesitate to approach us and ask for a picture.
There has been many a time when I have seen a nervous parent/brother/sister/etc. standing to the side holding a camera and I have approached them and asked them would they like to take a picture. They smile and say yes and if I wouldn’t mind. Of course I dont mind! So glady I pose for pic after pic and although I’m hot and tired and the armour has started to feel very, very heavy, I stay and talk and pose for as long as people want me to.
Let me tell you, all the work that goes in, the training, the moving of equipment, everything, it is all worth it when you see one child smile or when a parent says thank you for making their Sunday. At the end of the day we can go home happy because what we do makes other people happy. How can you not just love that?
