Attending Households

Medieval Siege Society

The colours of the society are red and green.

Compagnie of Seint Barbara

 

The Compagnie of St Barbara represents a Burgundian gunnery household from around 1470. Formed from an extended family group, as was commonly the case, we have been charged with caring for the Bombard - Pyppes Dowghter. This is the largest working medieval gun in Europe. As part of our display we show and use small matchlocks, poleguns, cannon and of course the mightly bombard. Our camp is set out such as a siege based gunners camp may have been when on campaign.

The Northwood Company

 

A medieval longbow archery and re-enactment society dedicated to presenting an accurate impression of life during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Pelican-In-Her-Piety

 

Pelican-in-her-Piety is a group of Medieval history enthusiasts united by common aims: to research and re-enact high standard Late Medieval Living History in a lively manner, and to share a passion for history with visitors of all ages. Group members are keen to interact with the public and positively encourage the asking of questions.

We maintain an encampment which conveys to visitors a vivid impression of life in 15th Century England, a heady mix of costumes, sights, sounds and smells - cooking over wood fires, recreating authentic dishes, baking bread, churning butter and straining cheeses. People busy themselves with everyday tasks: working wool, net-making, rush-weaving, dipping candles. With the unrest of the Wars of the Roses rippling across the country, men-at-arms and archers practise and prepare for combat.

The Company of the Black Serpent

 

Founded around a family unit and a back-garden sword training group in 2005, the Company of the Black Serpent was originally a Dark Age group, making the transition to include the Medieval period at the start of 2009, this era in history is now the primary focus.

BASH

 

BASH - Bring Alive Sandwich Heritage - a medieval re-enactment society from Sandwich, Kent created to commemorate the death of the town's mayor in 1457 during a French siege. The society demonstrates calligraphy, cooking, coin hammering and forged metalwork and offers displays in puppetry.

The Bonivant Pedlars

 

The Bonivant Pedlars represent English travelling traders from around 1460 -1480 - the middle of the Wars of the Roses - selling and making general household goods, such as bowls, platters, tools, and sundries for managing campaign and home life. The wife runs the stall, whilst the husband and son make items to stock it and often roving carpenters or artisans join forces to provide a varied and useful set of goods. Throughout the day the Pedlars demonstrate the crafts of fifteenth century life, whilst offering the public the chance to buy and learn about traditional hand made goods. The Bonivant Pedlars are a part of the larger Bonivant Household, and as such may be called upon to fight for the Earl of Warwick, should he take arms. There have been murmurings that such a situation may arise, so the Bonivant Pedlars have set up here to make the best of the household on the move, and pick up a few new customers.

Coelestibus Auspiciis

"Coelestibus Auspiciis" is the device that accompagnies the coat of arms of the Wellens family. The coat of arms was already used in Brabant in the 14th and 15th century.
Robert Wellens: After years as master wood and stone carver and travelling through neighbouring countries he has the authority to inspect the quality of his fellow artisans' work. During a stay in Spain he met his consort, who followed him to the region of Brabant after the end of his commission.
Mireille: Being of Moorisch origin, she soon came into contact with the
knowledge contained in Greek manuscripts through Arabic influences. This has endowed her with extensive knowledge about plants and especially medicinal and other herbs.
When preparing meals she expetly flavours and seasons her dishes, making it a true pleasure to join this household at the table.

Legation of the Comte de Montmiraq

 

Based on a semi-fictive character, the camp of the Comte Guy de Montmiraque represents a travelling group comprising knights, archers and musicians from various periods throughout mediaeval times. Participating in German mediaeval activities for more than 10 years, our aim is to show visitors the life and times of the dark ages, by presenting weapons, skills at arms and crafts. The Legation comes to Herstmonceux, with an ever growing camp, for the 9th year.

Rotyka

 

An historical fencing group founded in 1999. Rotyka's interest lies in history from the 1st to 19th century, mostly in the late gothic period and that of the thirty year war.

The Cheney Household

 

Cheney Household, a 15th century medieval living history group, is based around the character of John Cheney and his campaign / travelling encampment. Now celebrating its third year as a household, members will demonstrate within their encampment, amongst other crafts, medieval cooking, spinning and weaving.

The Companie Of The White Lion

 

The Companie Of The White Lion is a free company of archers in France, now hiring their trade to the highest bidder!

The Oxford Household

 

The Oxford Household was formed in 2002 within the Medieval Siege Society and since its inception has strived to balance providing an authentic representation of camp life in the latter part of the fifteenth century with having an enjoyable weekend away. The camp is a portrayal of a group of retained men in the service of Sir John de Vere KB KG, the 13th Earl of Oxford, and his brothers: Sir Richard de Vere, Sir Thomas de Vere and Sir George de Vere. The year portrayed is late 1470 just after Henry VI has been re-crowned King in Westminster Cathedral causing the usurping Yorkist pretender Edward to flee, tail between legs, to Bruges. Authentic food is prepared, cooked and eaten by the voracious Oxford members and we put a block of fighting men on to the field of battle when the situation requires. The livery colour of the Household is red with a white mullet, a traditional symbol of the de Vere family.

Ladies of the Bower and Lords of the Tower

 

A family group representing members of the English Royal Family from the period surrounding the 1470s.

Considerable time is spent researching the portrayed characters: a young Richard Duke of Gloucester, his mother Duchess Cecily Neville and sisters, Duchess Margaret and Lady Anne Plantagenet. The encampment is designed to reflect the luxury to which these members of nobility would be accustomed - adorned with colourful tents, fine silks, furs and furniture. Hand sewn banners feature the royal standard of the time and those of attending nobles.

Company of 1415

 

We are a band of individuals with a common interest in demonstrating both the Medieval Longbow and all forms of Middle Ages martial arts.

We regularly field 30-40 men (and women), not only archers but men-at-arms, knights in full plate armour and lately a pair of early medieval cannon - just to start the show with a bang! We demonstrate regularly throughout the southeast and include the odd foray to refight Tewkesbury, Herstmonceux and Agincourt - fought on the 25th October 1415 (is there anybody who is still mystified by the name?).

Hartley Household

Swords of Chivalry

 

With authentic fighting skills honed by hours of practice, coupled with more than a dash of courage, and leavened with humour, the Swords of Chivalry recreate the magic and excitement of a Medieval Tourney

Kernow Levy

 

The Kernow Levy travel the country re-enacting all aspects of early-to-late medieval life through entertaining and informative displays including combat, weaponry and living history demonstrations. We welcome new members to our training sessions.

Silver Fletchings

 

The Silver Fletchings comprises re-enactors who display crafts and skills of the medieval period including long bow archery and swordsmanship.

Taurus Auratus

 

Travelling from France, Taurus Auratus will delight the crowds at Herstmonceux with displays of medieval dance.

Plymouth Medieval Society

 

The society spans the period 1380 to 1485, concentrating on one of the most exciting and turbulent periods in our country's history.

English Warbow Society

Age of Chivalry

Trivium

 

Hailing from Germany, Trivium demonstrates dance, swordfighting and street theatre from the 15th century.

At Herstmonceux, wearing red and white, they fight as mercenaries.

Lucht Tighe

 

An Irish Mercenary Household whose name in Gaelic translates as 'Household' . Every one of the four Province Kings would have had his own Lucht Tighe in medieval times, as it was the main body of his fighting force.

Household colours are green and black.

Domus Lunaris

 

Domus Lunaris is a group of mercenary swordsmen and women that has its roots as a 'Company of The People' in Gubbio, Umbria - now known as Italy. The Company participated in the Lombardy Wars of the mid 1400's, including The Battle of Anghiari on June 29 1440. This was one of the many skirmishes between Milan and the Italian League led by the Republic of Florence. Following a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, where we were taught the healing arts of Anatripsis, the group was excommunicated and travelled Europe as swords for hire.

The household retained its original colours of Purple and Black, the livery colours of the Municipality of Gubbio.

Raven Tor Living History

 

Raven Tor will portray the FitzAlan Household of Arundel Castle during the 15th century. Both the Earl and his son, Lord Maltravers, supported the Yorkist cause during the Wars of the Roses and fought at the battles of St. Albans, Barnet, Tewksbury and Bosworth. The Household colours of Red and White will also display the Maltravers Knot (Yellow on Black). The siege encampment will include Thomas FitzAlan, Lord Maltravers, the household knights, men-at-arms, archers and camp-followers.

Courteneye Household

 

The Courtneye Household was formed in 1993.

The Grey Goose Wing

 

A group comprising archers with members competing in all categories of the Archery Competition.

The Kings Norton Traditional Archers

 

A group comprising archers competing in the Archery Competition.

Fitzgerald Household

The Hunting Party

 

The Hunting Party portrays a range of society from the late medieval period - from noble to retainer, at rest whilst on progression or campaign. They demonstrate hunting techniques and the use of weapons as well as the genteel arts, food production and cooking.

The Middlemore Guild

 

The Middlemore Guild is a late 15th Century re-enactment society. Through combat, crafts and living history we help to re-create the social, political and military environments of the period, demonstrating all aspects of life at that time.

The Middlemore Guild itself was a group of traders linked from the south east to the Midlands, guarding and working on trade routes throughout England during what was a difficult period of history.

Windrush Bowmen

 

We are an archery club from Oxfordshire who also put on medieval themed Have-a-Go's for adults and children, as well as demonstrations and educational talks. We represent a company of archers and camp followers from the period of the Wars of the Roses (1455 - 1487) with a nominal allegiance to Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III), and under the protection of his livery, the white boar badge, we will consume your vittles, rob your men, sell your children and make improper advances to your women.

The Knights Hospitallers of the North

 

We adopt the monastic guise of black and white for 11th century and the red and white military guiise for the 12th century,we interact with the public sharing our knowledge and passion of our chosen order.

The Companions of St George

 

A band of re-enactors, formed from various groups, fighting together. The colours of the Companions of St George are green and yellow, although each member fights in his own heraldry.

Hawkes Company

 

Hawkes Company, a newly formed household, is a small mercenary unit whose colours are primarily red and black.

The Company of the Rose

 

We represent an Italian company between the late 14th century and early 15th century. The Company of the Rose was captained by an Englishman, John Hawkwood, who also captained the Company of the White. Hawkwood was, at the time, the most senior military official in Milan.

WAR - Wight Association of Re-enactment

 

A mercenary unit depicting the less disciplined of mercenaries - drinking, gambling and even assassination are the norm! We will be in collaboration with 'Lord Elton' of the MSS  arranging and attempting (and foiling) assassinations! Demonstrations in the use of weapons will be given throughout the weekend.

Graven van Holland

 

Attending from Holland, Graven van Holland represent Archers from the Company of the Wedge, during the battle of Sterckshof and Aarschot in Belgium in the late 15th century. Members assemble from Belgium, France, Germany and England.

British Plate Armour Society

 

We are a medieval re-enactment society covering a large period in history (1300-1485). We specialise in tournament and small skirmish type displays as well as large multi society battles. When fighting in large battles we portray the retinue of the Talbot Earls of Shrewsbury. The livery colours worn for this are red and black with the red on the wearers left side; the badge is the Talbot dog.

Company of Holyrood

 

The Company of Holyrood was formed by a group of archers who share a common interest in the English longbow, and who wished to keep alive the legacy of the medieval military archer through research, practice and demonstration of the skills required to shoot longbows of the type made famous by English archers during the period later known as the Hundred Years War.
Based in the city of Southampton, embarkation point in the middle ages for the armies of Edward III and Henry V for the Crecy (1346) and Agincourt (1415) campaigns respectively, it is in celebration of the role the city played during the Hundred Years War that we take our name, for it was within the city's Holy Rood church, dating from 1320, that English archers famously prayed before leaving for Agincourt.

Medieval Hand Gun Society

 

A group with a particular interest in the history and use of reproduction late 14th century hand guns.

Celtic Britain

Celtic Britain is a Dutch organisation, specialising in education on the Celtic culture and history of Britain and Ireland. We re-enact the culture of the Irish sea during the Scottish wars of independence (1280-1329) and will present a mobile, military encampment at Herstmonceux. Our soldiers consist of the gall oglaig (heavy infantry), ceithern (light infantry) and fían (light infantry, specialised in guerrilla tactics and cattle raids).

Nobletales Retinue

We represent Lord Thomas Camoys (1351-1421), owner of Porchester Castle and commander of the left flank at Agincourt. His Wife, Lady Elizabeth Mortimer (whose first husband was Henry Percy (Hotspur), came from a family who played a significant part in the history of that time. The Mortimer's helped Henry 1V in becoming king only to turn against him to support the Welsh Owain Glndwrand.
Lady Isabel de Beauchamp, who resided at Arundel Castle in Sussex, is our honoured member of nobility; together we demonstrate how this class of medieval society travelled between castles, with their serving peasants, eating, dressing and playing.

Barebow Archery

Producers of traditional quality handcrafted laminate Longbows, Selfbows, Warbows, Arrows, Leather Quivers & Accessories.
Our main passion is for tailor making English Longbows & Warbows.

Wolfguard

We are primarily a dark ages group but some of us (those attending) are also medieval reenactors; we represent Mercenaries from the mid 15th century. Led by 'Brand', this small group specializes in portraying a somewhat criminal contingent, often prone to petty crime when not in action... Colours are Red and Black - Wolf Symbol.

The Irish

The Irish are a combat group representing Irish mercenaries from medieval times. Mercenaries are hired soldiers who will fight for whoever pays the most money. Every year at England's Medieval Festival we have fought alongside the Erpyngham Retinue and Trivium (German living history combat group)

Companie of Canterbury

Representing the troops raised by the city of Canterbury during the Wars of the Roses period, this 'red and white' billblock is a force recognised throughout England. Captained and led by Tony Burton, this 'block' has a reputation for never waivering in the face of opponents and standing to the bitter end. Look out for their battleworn flag bearing the three 'choughs' of Canterbury.

Devon Medieval Combat Alliance

The objectives of the Devon Medieval Combat Alliance are to promote and foster the activities of medieval combat, dress and history through the colour, excitement and spectacle of the Medieval Tournament and demonstrate the social and military customs of the period at both private and public events.

For the last twelve years the Devon Medieval Combat Alliance has performed throughout the southwest, the south east, the midlands and the south of Wales, in both battle re-enactments as a group of Mercenary Skirmishers, now under our own standard a white orthodox style cross on a black background and known as Excommunicati, and our own displays for the general public.

Sgeimh Solais and Havoc!

Sgeimh Solais (pronounced skife soolish), started as a re-enactment group in Germany and has come to Herstmonceux for many years as part of the 'foreign invasion'. Now its most active German members have moved to the UK and joined other households. Our camp will be supported by friends from the Beaufort Companye and some archers. We portray men-at-arms and archers from the Wars of the Roses and demonstrate everyday camp life and crafts of that period.

An BradAjn BAjn (The White Salmon)

Formerly known as An Cumann Ducheas Beo na Heireann, we are an Irish Medieval Combat Group based in Dublin Ireland. We portray Irish Kearns and Gallowglass Warriors between the periods from 10th - 16th century.

Shurland Bowmen

1417 Society

The name "the 1471 society" is both a reference to our main period and the founding of the group, being based on the longest reign of peace in the 15th century after the Battle of Tewkesbury.

The Berghestede Archers

Formed to quell the popular revolt in 1450 we fought as archers under the colours of the Archbishop, John Kemp. Following his death we became a mercenary group with survivors from the Siege of Constantinople in 1453 and the Hundred Year's War with France.

The Berghestede Archers display camp life with the families of those men who fought and their followers.

Company of St Jude

The Company of St Jude was formed in 2003 by two gentlemen belonging to a viking society wishing to move into the medieval period and become two lone ranger mercs. Initially a group hadn't been planned, but with no others in the area The Company was formed and continues to grow. Nowadays the group provides historical displays in Cambridgeshire on the War of the Roses period as well as fielding in larger battles as a small skirmishing unit in black and white tabards.

Lord Devereux Medieval Retinue

A household comprising both knights and archers.

The Free Company

A Brighton based multi period group with many members nationwide. Our most popular period is that of the War of the Roses, with much european mercenary action to throw in.

Erpyngham Retinue

Sir Thomas was the commander of the English Archers at Azincourt in 1415. The group represents characters and events of the 100 Years War.

The DeCobham Household

The DeCobham Household is part of the Medieval Seige Society representing military life in the Wars of the Roses period (1455-1487, as the personal retinue of Sir Peter Samworth who in turn fights for Lord Cobham. Primarily a Men-at-Arms unit by which is meant heavily armoured knights and soldiers who fight on foot with swords and pollaxes. The camp life of a military houshold on campaign is also protrayed. We are pleased to have accompanying us a barber, surgeon and physician also.

The Gruuthuuse Household

The Household of Lord Louis of Gruuthuuse, born in the year of our Lord 1427, the eldest son of John V and Mary of Steenhuys. Gruuthuse was, in the 15th century, a famous family of Bruges and name explains why the family was so important; the old Flemish word 'gruut' means peeled barley or wheat which was the main ingredient for beer-brewing in the middle ages. The Lords of Bruges had the monopoly for the sale of this very important product and as a result became very wealthy and powerful and they soon became known as the 'Lords of Gruuthuse' (huse= house).

Free Imperial Knights

The "Free Imperial Knights" recruit themselves out of 3 different re-enactment groups from Germany and Austria all focussing on the period of 1430 - 1490. It is the pride of all members of the different groups to display their theme as vividly and authentic as possible. For the Herstmonceux festival the group of the "Free Imperial Knights" is especially formed out of these 3 different groups. The historical background of the campaign is based in the happenings of the year 1479 where Archduke Maximilian I, the later Emperor led an army of 27,000 men into battle nearby the village of Guinegate ...

Fighting Ferret's (formerly Broughton Blade Dancers)

A relatively small but ever growing group of Northamptonshire mercenary warriors. As a mercenary unit we usually wear a mix of leather armour, chainmail & jacks but no specific colour. Our weapons comprise axes, polearms, staffs/staves.

Hazelgrove Archers

Bowmen of Darenteford

Compagnons de la Sainte Croix

The Fraternity of Knights of Szum Land

The Hellequin

The Hellequin is neither a re-enactment or living history group, but a research and display society portraying an "indentured retinue" on campaign during the period early 1400 to mid 1500. Our members include antiqurians, researchers as well as experienced archers, fight arrangers and demonstrators.

Medieval Combat Society

Tudor Household - The Free Company

The Free Company, known to their friends as SCUM, have been a re-enacting group for over 26 years, and have diverse skills from period cooking and calligraphy to archery and gunnery, and have a pike block par excellence.

Arma Bohemia

Arma Bohemia is a re-enactment group and living history trader and demonstrator. As a travelling Jewish merchant I am wearing the typical yellow Jewish "kaftan" with a "Judenhut" (pointy Jewish hut) as prescripted in Holy German Empire Jewish dress.

In the siege we will be handgunners with my arquebuse.