Issue 37 February
The Mediaeval Babes in Concert at Hereford Cathedral in December 2011 Photographs by Pat Patrick
http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/
Greetings All Here’s to 2012! I sincerely wish you all a fabulous New Year and hope that you all have a wonderful re-enactment season! In December I was at Hereford Cathedral to listen to The Medieaval Baebes in concert, the event was well attended and appreciated. Do have a look at their website (see front cover) to find out more information about the group. Mediaeval Babes in Concert
The week after the concert I started my new job at Hampton Court Castle & Gardens in Herefordshire which I have to admit is something of a dream job for me and I am eager to really get to work there! Congratulations to the all of the lucky winner of last month’s two competitions. There were a good number of entries, so thank you for taking the time to enter. Your prizes will be with you soon!
Mediaeval Babes in Concert
I have added a few more groups and traders so check out the listings attached along with this magazine-BUT I still want more, so please do let everyone know that this magazine is around and after their information. Also, please keep your stories and articles coming as I have plenty of space to fill. Please contact me at the normal email address with details! Editor.
Mediaeval Babes in Concert Pictures by Pat Patrick
Features This Month 1: Time line Festival, Australia 2: Competition No.1 3: Book Reviews-The Historical Novel Soc. 4: Event Listings 5: Dreamcatcher review with Tony Angelo Interview with Katherine Ashe To receive a copy of this magazine just send your email address to: Jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com
Jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com Competitions: All competitions are free to enter Winners will be selected at random on the 24th of each month for the relevant competition. Winners will be notified via email shortly after the draw takes place. No correspondence will be entered into. The editor’s decision is final. The views and opinions expressed in the articles in this ezine are those of the individual authors themselves and not those of the Editor
A Napoleonic Battle at Timeline Festival Are my eyes and ears deceiving me?! It is November 2011 and yet the streets of Berwick, Victoria in Australia echo with the crash of sword on sword, the booming of cannons, the splintering of jousting lance on shield and the twang of longbows releasing their arrows. This can only mean one thing…. The Timeline Festival has arrived in town again. This entertaining and educational event is one of the largest re-enactment events in Australia and consists of specific re-enactment events from different eras in history combined with market stalls, children’s events and educational displays. This year’s participants included Ancient Greek Warriors, Roman Legionnaires, Vikings, Medieval Knights, British and French Napoleonic Infantry with the Hussars, American Civil War combatants, Trappers and Colonials. There were displays of WWI and WWII paraphernalia and several craftsmen, such as blacksmiths, all creating and plying their wares. Events like these are a fantastic opportunity to talk to people who have researched history and learn about your heritage and included the largest private museum collection of Viking and Medieval artefacts in the Southern Hemisphere. One of the major drawcard for spectators were the mounted displays on horseback by Nova Hollandia and D Troop 15th Hussars, which took the form of skill-at-arms events (involving riders portraying combatants from different eras), jousting, cavalry involvement in battle reenactment and the events piece de resistance- a pitched battle between the D Troop Kings Own 15th Dragoons (Hussars), 42nd Royal Highland, 95th Rifle Regiment and the French Forces consisting of the 21eme de Ligne and Militia force provided by the Blue and the Grey in a Napoleonic Tour De Force…..
It is 1815. The tyrant and Emperor Napoleon has seen his final defeat at Waterloo and the Victorious Allied forces are sweeping towards Paris to put the rightful French King back on the throne. On the battlefield, the remnants of the once mighty French Imperial Armie present a last ditch defence of a proud Republic. Hungry, weary and with no retreat the French forces gather together to defend to the last drop of blood.
From the British Army line there now approaches an English vedette, scouts from the main British force. These two soldiers from 15th Kings Light Dragoons, noble Hussars, spy the camp and make maps and notes on the French strength and deployment.
The remnants of the mighty 21eme regiment de infantry, a proud and well trained regiment of Line infantry also rally to the defence. They form in line to present their muskets towards the British soldiers. On comes the thunder of hooves and 15th Hussars commence a cavalry charge. The French form a defensive infantry square and the cavalry are forced to retreat been unable to break the square. The elated the French rejoice while reforming their line and letting loose another musket volley. And again, on come the gallant English Hussars, but again the French hold their square forcing the Hussars to retreat in a hail of musket fire. A third time the Hussars charge the infantry and this time they break the square and the French soldiers and militia retreat to the safety of their forti cations. But then, the French Cavalry enter the battle, riding to the aid of their foot soldiers. They line up to face the Hussars, these brave Frenchmen who fought Blucher in Prussia, Nicholas in the icy wastes of Russia and Wellington in Spain and Belgium. They charge the Hussars and there is the clash of sabre on sabre. Equally matched they regroup and then charge again, with the French Cavalry finally gaining the upper hand.
When defeat seems imminent for the allies there is a sound of gunfire as the British infantry enter the fray. The French Cavalry charge them and the 95 th Rifles, the best shots of the British army, take aim and fire at the Frenchmen. The brave 42 nd Highland Regiment also enter the battle and the French Cavalry are routed.
Now the cannon enter the fray, and men are struck down in droves, with the gunners from both sides reloading and firing again and again. Gunsmoke drifts across the battlefield. Once the cannons are spent, the 21eme emerge from behind their fortifications to face the enemy! The 95th and the 42nd begin the march forward to engage the enemy. Each man now faces volley after volley from enemy muskets. Now with fearful resolve the bullets are exchanged for bayonets, hot lead gives way to cold steel! On come the British, shoulder to shoulder. The British reminded of home, of the years of suffering abroad, of home and warm beds and hope to finally finish this long war with one last push, the French are fighting to defend their homes, wives and children. At last, however, the desperate defenders give way and the French wall is breached and France finally falls to the English! Down with Napoleon! Up with the Union Jack! Up with the King! This staged battled illustrates what was the last ditch defence of France by a mixture of soldiery and citizen militia. The might of Napoleon was finally broken, and from that day forth the French monarchy regained the throne Paris was taken and Napoleon exiled again never to return. Re-enactment events like these are an important link to the past- they enable participants to learn and practice traditional skills like swordplay, military riding and the manufacture of traditional apparel and gear but they also offer a three dimensional lesson and insight into an earlier era when life was different and there are lessons to be learnt about honour, comradeship, chivalry and also- sometimes- the great tragedy of war. They also provide a living memorial to the brave men (and sometimes women) that fought so hard and valiantly for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy to this day. They helped, in their way, to create the future we now live in. HUSSAR!
Written by Chase Ellis D Troop 15th Kings Light Dragoons (Hussars) Honorary Colonel-in-Chief: Bernard Cornwell Part of the World Wide Cooperative of 15th Hussar Units www.15thhussars.com www.dtroop15thhussars.com
Competition One The first time Annie Sweet sees 43 Stanley Road, the house is so perfect she almost feels as though it has chosen her. She can’t wait to move in, but with her husband seeming more distant, and her daughter wrapped up in her friends and new school, Annie is left alone to mull over the past. She soon becomes consumed by the house and everyone who has lived there before her, especially a young chorus girl called Lily Painter, a rising star of the music hall whose sparkling performances were the talk of the town. As Annie delves further into Lily’s past she begins to unravel a dark episode from Edwardian London, that of two notorious baby farmers, who lured young unmarried mothers with the promise of a better life for their babies. Until Annie solves the mystery at the heart of the scandal, the ghost of Lily Painter will never be able to rest. Based on a real period from London’s rich history, Caitlin Davies skilfully blends fact and fiction to bring to life part of our sinister past. Spanning an entire century, from the journals of an Edwardian police inspector to a doomed WW2 love affair, and with a fleet of extraordinary characters, the Ghost of Lily Painter is an engrossing and poignant novel from a hugely talented writer.
I have 5 copies of this book to give away Visit: http://authors.simonandschuster.co.uk/Caitlin-Davies/46557152 and answer this question: Q: What is the name of the book by Caitlin Davies that was published in September 2009
Send your answer for this month’s competitions along with your full postal address to: jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com before February 24th 2012 to be in with a chance of winning!
Book Reviews BELOVED PILGRIM Nan Hawthorne, Shield-Wall Books, 2011, $14.35, pb, 284pp, 9780983398509 Set against the vividly realized backdrop of the disastrous crusade of 1101, Hawthorne's latest medieval historical novel consistently broadens and subverts the very categories it invokes. This is the story of young noblewoman Elisabeth von Winterkirche, who trains as a warrior alongside her brother Elias and his squire (and lover) Albrecht—until Elias dies and Elisabeth is confronted with the normal role of a 12 th-century high-born woman: loveless betrothal and joyless marriage, in her case to a brutish local baron. She opts instead for a strategy right out of medieval legend (not to mention Shakespeare): she dons her brother's armor and goes off to the Crusades herself, disguised as a young man. “Could a woman wield a sword and fight alongside trained knights on destriers?” Hawthorne asks, then answers (with more personal assurance than historical support), “Of course she could,” and some of the most entertaining parts of this novel involve Elisabeth doing just that. But the book's main emphasis is on love, not war: Elisabeth quickly finds that, like her brother, she's attracted to her own gender. “Love is love,” she declares, “Pleasure is pleasure. I don't care what anyone says.” Readers who might wonder if things were really that simple nine centuries ago would do well to remember that Hawthorne is writing fiction—and quite good fiction at that. -- Steve Donoghue
BEYOND ALL PRICE Carolyn Poling Schriber, Katzenhaus Books, 2010, $14.95/£9.65, pb, 343pp, 9780982774502 To escape a life of poverty, 23-year-old Nellie Chase volunteers as a nurse with the 100th Pennsylvania Roundhead Regiment during the American Civil War. Although she has no formal nursing experience, Nellie's character and skills quickly convince Colonel Daniel Leasure to promote her to regiment matron in charge of assisting doctors and overseeing other female volunteers. Nellie faithfully serves with the Roundheads until gossip and illness force her to leave her post. She volunteers for the New York Highlanders and, through a subsequent series of jobs, eventually becomes head matron of a 600-bed Tennessee hospital. Based on the actual life of Nellie M. Chase, Beyond All Price is as thoroughly researched as the gaps in Chase's life permit. Combining facts, historical figures, and quotes from contemporary documents, the novel reads more like an interesting history than a fast-paced work of fiction—readers interested in women's roles during the Civil War will enjoy it. -Laura Lloyd
For other reviews on other books why not visit: http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/
Original Artwork by Karen Sarkar
Re-enactor artist Karen Sarkar is currently working on a new project, which celebrates 15th Century re-enactors and re-enactment. This original and appealing idea features evocative pencil portraits of various subjects, capturing the essence and enthusiasm of re-enactors. Karen has recently met with Richard Mackinder, Operations Manager of the Bosworth Battlefield & Heritage Centre, and arranged an exhibition of this work there next year. The exhibition will be held over a two week period, including the Bosworth re-enactment weekend next August. This is likely to preceed a bigger exhibition in 2013, which will also see publication of a new Bosworth book, endorsed by the Centre, by Karen's re-enactor husband, the author and professional historian Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS. Karen is now inviting commissions in oil, pastel and pencil, from re-enactors at very reasonable prices. It is possible that some of this commissioned work could be included in the forthcoming exhibitions, brochures and book, and reproduced as prints - thus increasing interest in and value of the original artworks concerned. Details of prices can be found on Karen's website: www.karensarkarart.com, or for more information please call the artist on 01905 420441 .
“Melee� by Karen Sarkar
(prints available for purchase)
A New Forum for all things Pirate! Meet other Pirates Event Information Tall Tales Traders Pirate History Check out the website for more information! www.forums.pyrates.co.uk The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference May 12th 2012
Archers Review This is a website, run for and by archers with a thirst for knowledge. Our extensive collection of reviews is split in to a number of sections to make it easy for you to find what you are interested in Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer. We value feedback from users and suppliers and are keen to hear from you if you wish to contact us about anything on the website.
Website: www.archers-review.com Email: steve@archers-review.com The Festival of History Kelmarsh Hall Northamptonshire, UK July 14th & 15th 2012
The Earl Mortimer College Leominster, Herefordshire. Marc Morris will be hosting a lively and interactive discussion on King Edward I, Simon de Montfort & Prince Llewelyn. He will be joined by representatives from historical groups and other authors to discuss aspects of the three men.
Visitors immerse themselves in 2000 years of England's past during the Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, presented by English Heritage. The event features everything from falconry, jousting displays and battle re-enactments to music, dance and ale.
For more details
The Historical Writers Association will also be there with various talks and meet the author sessions throughout the weekend.
www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk
http://www.kelmarsh.com/
Event Information February 24th – 26th The International Living Fair, Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth, Leceistershire, UK http://www.pikeandshot.com/index-ilhf.html 25th & 26th “SWASH”, The Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?ei ... 5050754631 26th 1940s market and entertainments at the Winding Wheel Chesterfield, UK www.eventplan.co.uk
March 3rd & 4th Historia Originata, Rheged Centre Penrith, UK www.historiaoriginata.co.uk 16th – 18th The Original Re-Enactors Market (TORM) Ryton on Dunsmore, UK, CV8 3FL http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/
May 6th & 7th, Fortress Wales, Margam Copuntry Park, Port Talbot, Wales http://www.webster.uk.net/HistoryAndCulture/Re-enactmentWW2SWB/FortressWalesShowInformation.aspx
12th The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk/ 12th & 13th Multi-era Grand Historical Bazaar, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts. UK www.eventplan.co.uk 12th & 13th Victorian Weekend, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch, UK www.eventplan.co.uk 12th &13th The Cressing Temple Fayre, Cressing Temple, UK www.templars-fayre.co.uk
26th & 27th les medievales de CHAUCONIN-NEUFMONTIERS http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241449812568063
June 2nd & 3rd De Quaeye Werelt, Sterckshof, Belgium http://www.delegendevzw.be/
2nd & 3rd Chester Roman Festival 2012, Chester, UK Email: info@romantoursuk.com 9th Boerderij aan de Giessen, Grotewaard 38, Noordeloos, Netherlands http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158081454283009&notif_t=event_invite 16th & 17th Tatton Park Medieval Fair http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/ 23rd & 24th Wartime Clumber (1940s event), Clumber Park, Notts, UK www.eventplan.co.uk 23rd & 24th The Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park, Yorkshire, UK www.mitlivinghistory.co.uk 30th &1st Medieval Festival, Harewood House, Yorkshire, UK www.eventplan.co.uk
July 14th & 15th The Battle of Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury, UK http://www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/ 14th & 15th The Festival of History, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, UK http://www.kelmarsh.com/ 22nd The Battle of Salamanca, 200th anniversary http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=183242878392002&notif_t=event_invite 21st & 22nd Berkeley Skirmish, Berkeley castle, Gloucestershire, UK http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/ 21st & 22nd The Battle of Azincourt, Azincourt, France. http://www.azincourt-alliance.org.uk/ 28th & 29th Tournement of Walraversijde, Belgium http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=252511704798690&notif_t=event_invite
August 10th – 14th Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood Forest, Notts, UK www.eventplan.co.uk 13th & 14th Lincoln Castle Medieval Market, UK http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/Events.html
September 8th & 9th EMA weekend at Caldicot Castle, wales http://www.theema.co.uk/ 8th & 9th On the Home Front 1939-45, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts, UK www.eventplan.co.uk 15th & 16th The Battle of Mortimer’s Cross, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK www.mortimerscross.co.uk 22nd & 23rd Wimpole at War (1940s event), The Wimpole Estate, Cambs, UK www.eventplan.co.uk 29th & 30th Sherwood through the Ages multi-period, Sherwood Forest, Nott, UK www.eventplan.co.uk
October 6th & 7th Hughenden’s Wartime Weekend, Hughenden Manor, Bucks, UK www.eventplan.co.uk
November 24th & 25th The Ludlow Castle Medieval Christmas Fair, Ludlow, Shropshire http://www.ludlowcastle.com/
Dreamcatcher Review with Tony Angelo Interview: Katherine Ashe Tell me a little bit about your life? I was born in Hollywood where my father was a screenwriter for Cecil B. deMille. Research fascinated me, My father would tell me fascinating things of the historical background of the films he was working on -- deMille supplied excellent advisers to his writers, but they looked upon the advisers as chiefly hampering their stories. (Chief Rain-inthe-Face, adviser for "Unconquered," was called by the writers "Chief Stick-in-the-Mud.") I think my love of history comes from what didn't get into my father's films. When did you start to write? I began life as a painter. When I was five my parents summoned me to serious conference in the living room -- I remember this vividly, my little legs and feet were sticking straight out from the couch. They told me that my ability to draw seemed exceptional and they wanted to get a proper artists set for me: should it be oils or water colors? I asked what oils were and they said they were colors done up like toothpaste tubs. I said i would probably get them in my hair. They got me the oils anyway.
Who Inspires you? By the age of 18 I was showing in two New York galleries simultaneously: the Braverman Gallery and the Dorsky gallery, being too naive to know one was supposed to be exclusively with just one gallery at a time. But not to worry, both galleries went out of business before my one-person shows were scheduled to open. Curious about why people would pay so much for a work of art, I stopped painting and turned to writing books on Chinese art to be able to look at the collecting impulse objectively. That led me to an interest in China, and in the early 1970s, in the throes of an impulse for "peace through trade." I researched where China was falling behind in its 5-year programs. An so it was that I came to found a company to work with Agway to sell quick-frozen bull sperm to the Inner Mongolian Grasslands Institute. Unfortunately, the Chinese embraced the idea, but contacted the Texas Cattle Breeders Association, which was rather better known in the business than I was. After a fine art print publishing business of mine was perfectly timed to the collapse of the fine art print market, I turned back to writing books. Licking my wounds over the demise of my fine art company, I was writing a book about fairies when, in the course of my research about Salisbury Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1258, I discovered Simon de Montfort. That began a project of writing that has lasted from 1977 to the present. During those 34 years I also wrote plays, screenplays, and then radio plays for my own radio theater company, Jefferson Radio Theater, which was funded with state grant money, with production through public radio stations WJFF and WVIA. What are you working on now? My current aim is to get The Fairy Garden into print at last. But I've also begun research for a sequel to Montfort, on Edward I and, possibly, Simon's son, Guy de Montfort. Amazing live, thanks for sharing it with me and all of our readers .
Tony Angelo Taliaferro Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Virtuoso Books and Dreamcatcher Multimedia Vice President of Marketing MLR Publishers Need a book publisher, editor, distributor or an e-Book converter? : write www.mlrpublishers.com www.vivirtuosobooks.com or www.dreamcatchermultimedia.com www.tonyangelowriter.com