A Weekend with the Winchesters: A Journey Back in Time
Imagine stepping into a world from centuries past, where the clang of steel and the rumble of drums echo through the air, and fields transform into vibrant hubs of historical reenactment. For us, this isn’t just a story – it’s our weekend tradition. Here’s a glimpse into the magic of our living history events.
Friday: Arrival and Settling In
By Friday evening, we roll into our temporary home – often a field nestled near a historic site. What starts as an ordinary patch of countryside quickly becomes a bustling metropolis of tents and campervans. Among the sites we’ve been privileged to bring to life are Great Chalfield Manor, Hylton Castle, and Caerphilly Castle, each steeped in rich English history.
After pitching tents, the evening becomes a reunion. Old friends and new faces from our partner regiments in both The King’s Army and the Roundhead Association, gather to catch up, share stories, and enjoy some merriment.
Amid the camaraderie, we also take this time to prepare our “Living History” displays for the weekend ahead: soldiers’ quarters, the alehouse, officers’ tents, and, of course, the all-important kitchen.
Saturday Morning: Gearing Up
Saturday starts early, and it’s all hands-on deck. By 8:30 AM, we’re donning our 17th-century attire. For some, this means borrowing regimental clothing, shoes, and armour. Musketeers are issued their powder for the day and undergo their safety checks, before the whole regiment – pike, musket, and musicians – form up to march onto the reenactment site.
Breakfast is as authentic as it gets for some of us. If you have a raised fire pit, you can whip up bread, butter, bacon, and, if fortune smiles, a fried egg. There’s something magical about starting the day with a meal that could’ve come straight from the 1600s.
Living History in Action
As the public begins to arrive, the camp comes alive. Each member takes on a role from a diverse selection. We exhibit candle-making, games masters, the art of sail-making, surveyors, surgeons, spinners and weavers, armourers and blacksmiths, clerks and mapmakers. There really is no limit to roles available.
Soldiers, (when not on patrol for enemy spies) showcase the weight of their armour, the heft of their pikes, or the intricacies of a matchlock musket to curious visitors.
By late morning, the rhythm of drums signals the regiment’s drill display. The audience gathers to witness the precision of a pike block in formation, the thunderous firing of matchlock muskets, and the finesse of our drummers and ensign bearing the regimental colours. It’s a spectacle steeped in history, giving a glimpse into the discipline of Civil War soldiers. Dinner is another highlight of the day. Soldiers are served hearty pottage or stew with bread, cheese, and “small ale”. The officers, on the other hand, enjoy a luxurious spread of pies, salads, and sweet treats – leftovers us soldiers are always eager to claim!
Afternoon Skirmishes
After a quick nap or some light cleanup, the call to arms echoes once again. This time, it’s for a skirmish demonstration to show the public how opposing forces would engage in warfare. As the musketeers engage the enemy, the battlefield comes alive with the crack of matchlocks, the rhythmic beat of drums and the bellowed commands from our officers. With the air thick with smoke and the smell of gunpowder, the drummers quicken their rolling beat, the pike divisions charge at each other, reenacting the intense push-and-thrust of 17th-century combat.
After disengaging and reforming on the ensign’s colours, we continue the demonstration with authentic (and good-humoured) insults such as calling the opposition ‘sons of hedgepigs’ or mocking their musketeers’ accuracy. With casualties staged and a winner declared, we allow the ‘dead to rise’, concluding the battle with a salute to our audience. Soldiers rise, dust themselves off, and return to the camp to wind down.
Evening: Campfires and Camaraderie
As the sun sets, the historical site gives way to the comforts of our modern camp. Our supper is a simple yet satisfying affair – think spaghetti Bolognaise or a delicious curry.
Then comes the best part of the weekend: our evening bonfire. Cavaliers and Roundheads alike gather around, sharing drinks, music, and laughter. The sound of music fills the air long into the night, from traditional folk and sea shanties to modern classics, we create fantastic memories that linger long after the weekend ends.
Sunday and our clear down:
Sunday mirrors Saturday’s events in many ways, with our living history, drill displays and skirmish demonstrations taking the centre stage once again. Our camp buzzes with activity once again, and we enjoy another day set in the English Civil War.
However, as the day winds down, we begin the bittersweet process of packing up and cleaning down. Both the authentic tents and modern plastic ones are carefully dismantled, and, leaving no trace of our presence, the bustling campsite gradually transforms back into its natural state.
After sharing final farewells with friends and comrades, we load up and head home, reflecting on another weekend of bringing history to life and already counting down to the next opportunity to step back in time.
If you are interested, why not come try bringing history to life with us? Will you join our living history as a civilian, musketeer, pikeman or on the artillery?Your first event is absolutely free. Just get in touch, we look forward to hearing from you!
