Sherwood through the ages

Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2008

Sherwood Forest once again came to life on 27-28 September as thousands of visitors took the opportunity to combine warm autumn weather with our annual Copper Age to modern era multi-period event. Visitors could stroll around the circular Major Oak path and en route enjoy timed displays and meet some the people and characters who lived in or helped to shape the history of this famous forest from ancient times. The event was organised in conjunction with and on behalf of the Sherwood Forest Rangers and Visitor Centre. As usual the hugely attractive woodland proved an ideal backdrop for timed displays and ongoing living history to enjoy. Children also enjoyed have-a-go medieval archery (a small charge applied).

From ancient settlement, Sherwood became a medieval Royal forest (and, of course, one of the possible homes of the legendary outlaw Robin Hood). The Great North Road ran through the forest and during the Civil War, control of this became vital to both sides. Highwaymen lurked in the trees awaiting travellers in the C18th and later on, much of the forest became a military training ground (and part still is). Today the visitor centre offers a fascinating insight into the history of the forest, as well as an ideal base for a great day out.

Wood smoke from cooking fires and the sound of medieval music drifted on the breeze, the clash of steel on steel rang through the trees as armoured knights fought, and volleys of musket fire crashed out as civil war Parliamentarian soldiers demonstrated their martial prowess. Copper age man showed how the forest was first managed, Romans mingled with Britons,  Victorians strolled about and picnicked as they did when Sherwood first became a tourist attraction, WWI “Tommies” went through their paces, and US troops were back on the exact spot where they trained prior to D-Day in 1944, watched by British land army girls as they busily chopped fire wood for the war effort.  Sherwood is still used for military training today, and this was reflected by some  British soldiers of the 1980s and their equipment.

At the Major Oak, a bustling C15th medieval camp formed a centrepiece with archers, camp followers and craftsmen, including some selling their wares. At the same time, the famous order of military monks, the Knights Hospitallers, offered have a go archery lessons for adults and children alike…and also showing the amazing amount of food they ate to eat to maintain their strength, equivalent to 5,000 calories per day each!  But visitors had to beware of the Normans! Definitely not the most pleasant of conquerors, they certainly gave anyone a hard time if they showed any sympathy for the downtrodden Saxons! Visiting their encampments was at visitors' peril (with wallets hidden), as the King’s henchmen were as always looking at new ways to extort taxes!

Sherwood’s circular one-mile long Major Oak Path was the ideal setting for this hugely enjoyable walk through history, with the colourful encampments and displays arranged in chronological order - and extremely photogenic too.  In addition there were modern day conservation and other displays at the visitor centre. 

Sherwood through the ages was once again a magical event, in an extremely picturesque spot! Check out numerous photographs taken by Red Zebra Photo.