A Medieval to WWII era show evoking the life and times of

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 June 2010

Living history - displays - entertainments - lots to see and do! 

Enjoy a delightful weekend of multi-era displays and entertainments in Woburn Abbey's picturesque gardens, staged on behalf of the Duke of Bedford and his family. Originally built in the C12th, the Cistercian abbey eventually gave way to the great house we see today, with the gardens being redesigned by Humphry Repton at the beginning of the C19th.

Displays and activities by around 100 excellent performers include Medieval knights, combat and encampment; the history of gardening at Woburn Abbey from the Medieval era to Humphry Repton's famous redesign in 1802; outlandishly dressed mercenary soldiers of Henry VIII's reign; Elizabethan activities for children including dressing up; Civil War soldiers from 1645 (the year Woburn villagers battled with raiding Royalists); the Earl of Bedford's son Lord John Russell and his role in the infamous Rye House Plot of 1683 (the failed assassination of Charles II and his son James); C18th to Regency fashion talks and demonstrations; redcoats of the Duke of Wellington (one of the current Duke's ancestors was an Aide de Camp to the Duke and was wounded in battle); a hilarious Mr Punch versus Napoleon (for adults as well as children!); strolling Victorians; soldiers of the Great War (a battalion of which the 11th Duke of Bedford helped to raise); children's WWII "battle school";  the amazing story of the retreat to Dunkirk and subsequent Battle of Britain, in this 70th anniversary year; Home Guard soldiers and how to defeat Nazi tanks; plus Medieval to C18th music to enjoy.

Performers

The excellent line up of groups and performers includes:

Medieval: The Paladins of Chivalry (encampment, combat and displays) and The Medieval Gardener (garden history, C12th to C16th)

Tudor:  Earley Days (children's activities and dressing up) and Fahnlein Uri (C16th mercenary soldiers)

C17th: The Earl of Essex's Regiment of Foot (English Civil War soldiers), The C17th Society and History Re-enactment Workshop  (both groups exploring the Rye House Plot of 1683)

C18th: Hands on History (Fashion and have a go activities)

Regency: The Historic Gardener (garden history, C17th to C19th), members of the The Napoleonic Association (redcoat soldiers) and Ancient Wisdom (Mr Punch versus Napoleon) 

Great War: The Great War Society  (encampment plus drill & firing displays)

WWII: Ancient Wisdom (Dunkirk to Battle of Britain display), Discover History (Home Guard), Foreign Field  (Battle school for children) and a pair of military vehicles from 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment Living History Group.

Plus Blast from the Past (music from the Medieval era to C18th)

Appropriate pre-registered 1940s British military re-enactors, civilians, vehicle owners and enthusiasts are warmly invited to participate, (please check with us beforehand), so long as you agree to abide by our terms and conditions of participation! Classic and military vehicle owners please click here. Please note that a) British impressions only on this occasion and b) certain on-site arrangements apply including an off-site overnight camping area.

Other living history groups and other performers interested in taking part in this or other events are invited to contact us for further details and click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation.  

Timetable of activities 

Ongoing activities:

• Living history by most of the above groups  

• The history of gardening including at Woburn from the C12th to Tudor era, with the Medieval Gardener

• The history of gardening including at Woburn from the C17th to Humphry Repton’s famous Regency era remodelling of these gardens, with the Historic Gardener

• Redcoats of the Duke of Wellington, recreated by the Napoleonic Association

• Wartime Humber staff car and Austin K2 ambulance, brought by Lawrence Pooley

• Wartime Home Front living history from the Sittingbourne Homefront Society

Admission prices

Adult £7.50p, Senior Citizen £6.50p, Child £5.00p.

Other events 2010

Click here for details of other historical events organised by EventPlan.

Updated 11 May 2010