Over the Bank Holiday weekend 3-5 May, 1000's of re-enactors from Stone Age to WW1 merged on the beautiful grounds of Rockingham Castle.  Living history groups, battles, infantry, cavalry & artillery were all taking place to entertain and talk to the crowds. Jo Vacker was the event organiser and a splendid job she and her crew did, as this was a most enjoyable day for all who either particpated or visited.

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I got to speak to Rachel and Sophie from Skirmish magazine (see video above)

There were many interesting stalls on display to the general public and one in particular I found very interesting was Skirmish Magazine. It is here I met the lovely Rachel Evans ( editor & publisher) and Sophie Flawn ( Marketing Manager) who gave me an insight into what Skirmish magazine is all about. This fairly new but very interesting and excelantly produced magazine is a gold mine to all re enactors as it is an oracle of knowledge to all people interested in history being re enacted. The magazine covers the various groups that participate at living history events, from 1st and 2nd World war, English and American Cilvil war, Jousting, Pirates etc. Regular features are Period image, and an artists impression, and each month there are some amazing feature stories such as saving Colditz castle to making a Warbow.

Rachel and Sophie from Skirmish Magazine.

Rachel informed me that Skirmish Magazine has very recently created a living history online network which can be joined by anyone, located in any country around the planet. Since it's creation a month ago there has been an amazing 1,140 members joined allready, and it seems that the interest is growing daily. This is really an amazing network of groups of people who share the same interest and like being apart of living history.

If you are interested in any form of history and would like to know more about the fairs and events that are taking place monthly through out this year then I recommend visiting Skirmish Magazine's website where you can order the magazine which is packed with all the information you need.

Knights get ready to advance and ground soldiers get ready to recieve an attack.

It has to be said how impressive the whole scale of this event was, It is not logistically easy to accommodate 1,000's of tented living history members to the normal administration of general public without some form of a hic up. The battle scenes I witnessed went to plan and no "real" casualties could be seen, infact I saw many enemies actually smiling and patting each other suggesting that it was not the first time that these fantastic re enactors had seen each other, even though they were fighting on opposing sides. It is also not easy to make sure that this many people from the various groups be it Roman; Napoleonic, American Civil or Medieval times do not have any accidents during these battle scenes.

American Civil War soldiers form up in rank to shoot & soldiers from the 19th Foot Green Howards are given the order to fix bayonets (see video below).

On closer examination of the costumes that were worn you could see how heavy they were and you can imagine what it would have been like trying to fight with a suit of armour fitted, not to mention fighting with a very heavy sword. The French cannons were very impressive and a good selection of differant sized cannons which were fired were on display to the visiting crowds.

A French cannon is fired whilst English marching troops are on the move.

After I decided to call it a days filming and started heading towards my car I came across The 8th Augusta Romans Living History tented area. These friendly re enactors took time out to talk to me and show me the fine art of Roman shoe making. (see video below)

In summary a great day, I throughly enjoyed my first visit to a living history show and it certainly won't be my last. I am now looking forward even more to film The Victory Show in September.