Sunday, July 11, 2010

Battle Lines

While the fair (posted yesterday) is fabulous, the main reason for Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is the re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471.

A rare sight is a lone knight - but I loved this guy complete with bill (long pole weapon) striding purposely through all the 21C folks.

Normally, the men come by household......

Some women come on campaign and support their men.......

They come with drums......

And bright coloured knights.....

And still they come.....

The knights clanking in their armour, dented and dull, but still working....and that's just the men!

More men with their supporters, young squires, women.......

Some look rather more pretty...........

Some look more war weary - it's been a long campaign.
Women bearing jugs of refreshing water - necessary in this day and age to protect our men. In the period the jugs would have been filled with watered down wine or small beer (half brewed beer, reduced alcoholic content)....

And still they come.......

And the drums play on - whether the group in the background or the drums of the household....nothing like the sound of rhythmic drumming to make the blood rise....

Waiting to move on - notice the padding, the protection for the poor man. A suit of armour is expensive and soldiers are only paid a couple of pence a day (dpending on their skill) - so they beg, borrow or steal clothing from their defeated foe - hence the hotchpotch of kit....

The camp is empty with all the men at war and the women following them.........

A hand for the band! We love this drummer lady with her harness of drums.....

Here's our ladies of the camp, armed with water and big smiles ready to support the household in their battle. (from the left; Liz, Kate, Rachel and Stephy) - and yes, they really are as hot as they look....it was broiling hot!
I was so busy waving and cheering at my boys I didn't take their photos - but suffice it to say, they marched into battle with grim smiles on their faces and weapons at the ready - except our beloved Sergeant at Arms who waved cheerfully at me! :-)
cq

5 comments:

Jean-Luc Picard said...

It looks like a super event, CQ. Everyehere looks very warm. Those in the suits of armour must have been baking.

CyberKitten said...

Those guys in the armour must have been sweating buckets!

Melli said...

I can NOT imagine what it must be like to suffer inside one of those tin cans! LOL! You are some die-hard re-enactment HEROES (and heroines!) let me tell ya! If your heat has been anything like OUR heat -- we have been 101, 102, 103F! It's been crazy! And there is NO WAY I would wear a suit of armor... or even all those long hot clothes you women wear.... NOPE! Not I! I'll stick to being a BEE! In Air-conditioning!!! LOL! (I'm such a wimp...)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I see you are still enjoying the Re-Anact,emt weekends...Good For You. This looked like a really BIG display. And with the Heat...Oh My, it had to have been quite a test of endurance. Great pictures, my dear.
I miss your visits, dear CQ...I know you are over on Facebook and maybe that takes your time now....I hope you have a Great Great Summer.

Walker said...

Wow, They look like they are ready to defend or attack an enemy.
It must be hot in all that gear