19th-20th July, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire

ENGLISH HERITAGE'S HISTORY LIVE! FESTIVAL

History Live! is massive ... it is also a lot of fun.   There is a great emphasis on youngsters actively enjoying history, whether it is taking part in impromptu theatrical shows, clambering into reproduction aeroplanes or trying on weapons and equipment.   

Anyone who tells you that kids aren't interested in history is just wrong.

(participation theatre at History live!)

(youngsters were encouraged to try out the reproduction biplane)

I was there with the Battlefields Trust using the Northampton 1460 model to illustrate the work of battlefield preservation and interpretation ...

(Northampton 1460 showing the action moved on to the assault phase)

This is a wargame model although it was used as a moving tableau for the purposes of History Live! moving the contingents as we believed happened on July 10th 1460 and explaining the course of events.

The presentations seemed extremely successful and by late Sunday, I had handed out all the leaflets I'd taken along to support the exhibit.

If you wanted playable wargames, the Phoenix Club had, as usual, a range of wargames to join in ... ancient, Napoleonic, WWI (of course) and WWII ...

(Romans and Celts in the History Live! wargames tent)

Mostly youngsters and all historical.  Again, anyone who tells you that kids aren't interested in history is just wrong.   Anyone who tells you you need to glam it up with fantasy monsters is just wrong.  

 If wargaming is a greying hobby (and what an 'if' that is ...) then it can only be because greying wargamers aren't giving youngsters a chance to join in (or are abandoning them to commercial fantasy stuff).

(The Battlefields Trust at History Live! 2014)

Northampton is, of course, just a few miles down the road from Kelmarsh Hall and there was a lot of interest in the project to protect and explain the battlefield at Delapre Abbey.  

After much campaigning, Northampton Borough Council has recently accepted a Conservation Management Plan specifically for the battlefield area, so it does look like people power works.   There is much still to do, so enthusiasts can show their support by liking the project's Facebook page, and/or joining the Northampton Battlefield Society.

(Northampton 1460: in the heat of the action)

The battlefield model is constructed inside a rearranged pasting table (construction) and uses 15mm figures with oversized banners by Fluttering Flags ...

(Northampton 1460: the archbishop of Canterbury and Papal Legate Francesco Coppini watched the battle from the Eleanor Cross at Hardingstone)

Mounted figures are mostly Mirliton, foot are a broader mixture including Peter Pig, New Era Donnington and Corvus Belli as well as Essex and Tabletop (15mm.co.uk)

(Northampton 1460: decision - lord Grey of Ruthin's men help the Earl of March's troops into the position)

Outside, of course, the main arenas are given over to military displays by reenactment societies from all periods of military history and living history camps ... 

(full size Wars of the Roses artillery on show in the living history encampment)

We had about an inch of rain dumped on the site overnight and on Saturday morning but otherwise the weather was splendid, at times becoming sweltering.   

The whole event was well-managed and it took some persuading for people to leave the site on Sunday evening so we could all pack up and go home.

(Zulu wars period soldiers on their way to the arena at History Live!)

20th - 21st July, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire

(throughout: please click on the pictures for a bigger image)

History Live! with the Battlefields Trust

Assiduous followers of heritage news will know that this was called off on the morning of the event last year, flooded during 2012's rain-blighted and unseasonal July.    This year, by contrast, driving in on Friday to set up was more like entering a dust bowl.

(ECW exhibits on the BFT stand: items found at Basing House)

(a relatively quiet period on the BFT stand ... so I get to take some pictures)

The Battlefields Trust had asked me to bring along my Bosworth game as an item to feature and talk about on the stand (the design, of course, is based on the BFT's recent archaeological project at the site).  We also had the usual range of books and back issues, battlefield booklets and archaeological curiosities.

(Graham from Fluttering Flags with the Blore Heath game in the wargames tent)

The Wars of the Roses period was well represented with live action on the display grounds, Blore Heath in 28mm (variant Pike and Shotte) in the wargames tent, and my Bosworth (DBA) exhibit in 54mm in the History Live! pavillion.   As well as Blore Heath there were Gaugamela WAB,  ECW,  and Bolt Action games plus some Warlord Games gear on sale.

(wargames by the Phoenix Club ... Blore Heath is behind the throng of players and enthusiasts)

Other interesting attractions over the weekend were the Sand Sculptures, Fair Ground attractions music and dumbshows ... Something for all the family, right down to 'make do and mend' wartime fashion demonstrations ...

(sand sculpture before and after: the now lost Euston Arch - I was fascinated by their work over the weekend)

(History Live!: a jester on stilts entertains a young audience)

The core, of course, is always live reenactment and arena displays, combined with living history encampments and, these days, wargamers and battlefield enthusiasts ...

English Heritage knows this is the best way to share our past with people of all ages.

(enthusiasts of all ages get involved on the Battlefields Trust stand)

(archaeological royalty pops over for a chat: Turton and Harding chew the fat)

(some nice Crusades period weapons on display in the Living History avenues)

But here are some more wargame pictures ...

(Ian Kay - Irregular - has added these casualties to his 54mm medievals, so I have factored them in)

(Bosworth ... Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, with his uncle, Jasper, alongside) 

(Bosworth on the BFT stand ... more)

... and Blore Heath ...

One of the more unusual features of the weekend is the Saturday night entertainment: most of the exhibitors stay over for the weekend, generally under canvas ... Having shut to the public at 6pm, the site reopens for exhibitors at 7: it is party time for the reenactors and display teams, with food, drink, fair rides and live music: it is probably the best and most anarchic fancy dress ball in Northamptonshire ...*

(Nuns, Nazis and Anemones ... but all in the best possible taste ... Kelmarsh party time)

OK, OK ... it's a jellyfish ... but you get the picture ...

I'm guessing History Live! was a great success this year ... certainly the BFT had record recruitment, the place seemed packed, there were occasional delays to the food operations as meat roasters sold faster than they could cook, and generally, the place was a sea of people - all seeming cheerful and interested.   What a contrast to a year ago!**

(History Live!: The main arena on Sunday afternoon - late afternoon and still packed)

Politicians and planners please look at the pictures - no, not footie or the British GP ... this is the audience for 'history and military heritage'.   Big, isn't it?   Bigger than you thought, maybe? 

Please take us into consideration when you plan your carparks and rail links.

(there was more than ancient and medieval, of course: Peninsula veterans march past)

I have put some pictures from the WWII zones on P.B.Eye-Candy ...

You can join The Battlefields Trust and help protect England's threatened heritage ...

The Society of Ancients will be at Claymore on August 3rd

*yes, I know, that may not be setting the bar very high ... nonetheless, these people are seriously committed to dressing up ...

** I append these contrasting photos.  Hopefully 2014 will be more like this year (though wothout the extremes perhaps)

(from mud bath to dust bowl ...)

14th July, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire

Festival of History cancelled ..

Due to overnight rain washing out the campsite and rendering the public arenas unuseable.

Unfortunately I had to go in anyway.  I was putting on some wargame displays for the Battlefields Trust and had set up the afternoon before ... so had to splatter my way in to recover the kit.

(main show concourse)

In truth, things were looking dubious all week, but a dry night, and a sunny warm morning (which were possible given the weather forecast) would probably have made this one of those successful events that had isolated car park issues ...

As it was, the site was completely unusable by daw - the above picture shows what it was like by 10am without admitting thousands of visitors!

It has been a dry, bright (ish) weekend in Northamptonshire - so had the ground permitted use, it probably would have been better weather than last year.

My sympathies go to everyone who travelled miles to get to the event only to be turned away, or to those already on site who lost personal items and had equipment ruined in the mess.

16th -17th July, Northamptonshire

Festival of History

Festival of History is English Heritage's annual historical and reenactment event hosted at Kelmarsh Hall just a few miles away from the battlefield of Naseby.

The emphasis is strongly military, and there is always a lot for the ancient and medieval enthusiast to enjoy.

Attending the event as part of the Battlefields Trust team, I could only see a fraction during my breaks (and so missed the much praised Bosworth presentations) ... nevertheless, I caught some interesting Crusades stuff and managed a bit of SoA recruiting.

I'm a wargamer, but I can multitask ....

(Gladiators prepare for the arena)

(The Normans arrive)

(scenes from Outremer)



There were also plenty of armourers able to furnish equipment - like these gleaming Romano-Celtic helmets

In the Wargames tent, Phoenix Club and Warlord Games provided a choice of games including this Hail Caesar attack on the Roman baggage romp.


Plenty of youngsters getting involved here - even during the sunny spells.




For pictures of the 20th Century features, have a look at my P.B.Eye-Candy blog over on wordpress.

(click on the picture)

Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire 17 -18 July

(click on the pictures to see a bigger image)

Festival of History

Festival of History is English Heritage's annual weekend packed with living history, re-enactment and partnership organisations. Military history is a favourite with the visitors and a core theme throughout the weekend.


(some of EH's activity orientated exhibits ...)

The living history displays and encampments are full of military costume societies, regiments and groups, and the arena displays feature warlike action from Ancient Rome to World War Two.

(Roman encampment)


(Medieval campsite cookery)

For the Ancient and Medieval enthusiast, there is one of the largest Roman displays of the year, together with Normans, Crusaders, action from the Wars of the Roses - as well as the ever popular Tournament and Joust.

(Breaking a lance: excellent camera work from Chris Ager)
(Roman re-enactors: more from Chris)
Fresh from the WOTR Battle of Northampton, I was helping out on the Battlefields Trust stand, publicising the work done protecting and preserving our military heritage sites and recruiting new members.

The Battlefields Trust is, of course, behind the crucial work done to clear up the historical riddles surrounding the Battle of Bosworth. A key objective of the Trust is to protect England's battlefields from motorways and developers, and fully half the 'at risk' list falls within the Society of Ancients remit.


(Battlefields Trust 'Iron Man' James Parker fascinates a youngster he hopes one day will treasure England's battlefields: sponsor this man!)
The Battlefields Trust needs support in membership, donations and campaigning. Activist James Parker will be raising money by attempting the Great North Run in medieval armour, and would appreciate your support - you can find a 'donate' button by following this LINK.

As usual for this event, a wargames tent was provided manned by the Phoenix Club of Rushden, and with the support of Warlord Games - this year the feature game was English Civil War (using Johnson and Priestley's Black Powder).


(scenes from the Wargames tent)
For a bigger selection of the non ancient and Medieval pictures from Festival of History, visit my other blogs ...
ECW Battles in Miniature
P.B.Eye-Candy

As for Ancients on the Move, we will be back playing Tournaments over the next few weeks - look out for

Armati at the Stoke Challenge
FoG at The Society of Ancients Doubles Masters

And Claymore and Britcon come up in August. A busy summer out and about.