Recreating the past for live events, TV and film

Gallery 1

 Events 2001

Our thanks to the contributing photographers. All pictures are copyright. Please see our photographers page for details and how to order copies of pictures.

 

The Battle of Orgreave, 17 June

Photographs of this major recreation for Channel 4 are now situated within the Historical Film Services* web site. To avoid having to see the EventPlan navigation bar when viewing the HFS site,  type in www.historicalfilmservices.com/orgreave.htm into your search engine or address box.

 

Living history at the Ancient High House, 9 June

Four different eras of history, from Jacobean to Edwardian, were recreated within themed rooms within this charming late Tudor building in the centre of Stafford. In addition, a children’s activity room proved very popular with visitors, especially the dressing up in replica period clothing. Although a modest event due to floor weight restrictions, it was well received by the visitors.

 

An early Jacobean couple, recreated by English renaissance, pose in front of the Ancient High House. Photo © Chris Jordan.

C17th gentry and their servant from the English Civil War Social History Group explain their life and times, including the visit of Charles I to the High House in 1643. Photo © Chris Jordan

After taking tea and explaining its significance within the C18th world, this elegant officer and his lady from Histrionix demonstrate the use of a Brown Bess flintlock musket. Photo © Chris Jordan

A widow and her son, portrayed by members of English Renaissance, sit within the house’s Victorian room. Photo © Chris Jordan.

An Edwardian shopkeeper and customer, recreated within the house’s period shop exhibit by English Renaissance. Photo © Chris Jordan.

Another young visitor tries on one of Jane Walton’s elaborate replica outfits.
 

 

  

Stafford Castle 1000 Year Fair 2001

The Stafford Castle 1000 Year Fair brought together 7 groups of re-enactors spanning the last millennium. All chosen for their high quality, authenticity and ability to engage visitors in a lively yet friendly manner, they staged a continuous series of arena and other displays from 11am to 5pm.

Living history displays were mounted throughout the castle grounds, within the castle’s keep, authentic tented encampments, traders’ row and in the case of the C17th soldiers’ encampment, located in a woodland glade and simply constructed out of natural materials found on site. In each case they offered a slice of life from their chosen period of history, together creating a mosaic of lifestyles very different from today.

Traders’ Row offered a huge variety of craft demonstrations to watch and unusual goods to buy. 16 top traders - all especially invited - took part, all noted for the quality of their products including glass wear, wooden bowls and other small items, hand-made rope, period furniture (even a spectacular 4-poster bed!), masks, incense, dyes, hats and much more.

C13th Norman knights, here portrayed by members of Anmod Dracan, battle it out in single combat. Photo © Howard Giles.

C14th Knights from the Erpyngham Retinue conclude their display of arming a knight with a series of short, sharp combats. Photo © Howard Giles.

 The power of the deadly English longbow demonstrated by skilled archers of the Vaughan Household. Photo © Howard Giles.
C15th English longbowmen of the Vaughan Household. Photo © Howard Giles Ensign Washbourne of the Fairfax Battalia flourishes the company colour in front of his soldiers. Photo © Howard Giles. Members of the audience enjoy a close-up view of civil war matchlock muskets in action. Photo © Howard Giles.
Pikemen of the New Model Army c.1645, recreated by members of the Fairfax Battalia. Each soldier carries an authentic reproduction tapered 16-foot ash pike, tipped with a sharp steel point. Photo © Howard Giles. Preparing for D-Day: Bayonet practice of 1944 demonstrated by members of English Renaissance. Photo © Howard Giles Redcoats of the 47th Regiment of Foot c.1777 fire a crisp volley in three ranks from their flintlock Brown Bess muskets. Photo © Howard Giles.
Katherine Tindle of Kitty Hats offered a wide variety of period headgear, whilst keeping busy by hand-weaving hat bands. Photo © Howard Giles. Ian Tindle, surgeon of the 47th Foot, puts two visitors off their tea by explaining the grim reality of C18th military medicine. Photo © Howard Giles. The encampment of the 47th Regiment of Foot, complete with redcoats, surgeon, soldiers’ wives, cooking fire and period-style tents. Photo © Howard Giles
An enthawled audience enjoys a story telling session from Tania Bentham at the Anmod Dracan camp. Photo © Howard Giles One of the more unusual living history exhibits on show was a C17th marching camp, created from only with what the soldiers could themselves carry, with branches and other natural materials found on site. This soldier of the Fairfax Battalia sits inside his leafy bower, surrounded by pikemen’s armour and other items of equipment. Photo © Howard Giles. Caring for the sick. Photo © Howard Giles
A priest from the Vaughan Household, which furnished and lived within two of Stafford Castle’s towers during the weekend. Photo © Howard Giles Part of the bustling Traders’ Row at the Stafford Castle 1000 year Fair. Quartermasterie, one of many fascinating tented stands, in this case stocking museum-quality reproductions of pottery and associated goods from the medieval era to C17th. Photo © Howard Giles.

 

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Updated 15 February 2006