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| Knights of old and new | Knights of old and new |
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| By Mario Cacciottolo BBC News Britain's biggest historical event is bringing the past to life for children weary of school history lessons with, among other events, a jousting re-enactment. But what does it feel to be cloaked in armour atop one's steed? | By Mario Cacciottolo BBC News Britain's biggest historical event is bringing the past to life for children weary of school history lessons with, among other events, a jousting re-enactment. But what does it feel to be cloaked in armour atop one's steed? |
| A chime rings out as steel meets steel, blades screeching and glinting in the sun as feet shuffle quickly in the dirt, dancing out of range of the next deadly blow. | A chime rings out as steel meets steel, blades screeching and glinting in the sun as feet shuffle quickly in the dirt, dancing out of range of the next deadly blow. |
| A modern man is afforded many opportunities in life, but it's not often one has the chance to swing swords, fire arrows and be encased in armour for the day. But that's just what's on offer at the annual Festival of History, run by English Heritage at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire later this month. | A modern man is afforded many opportunities in life, but it's not often one has the chance to swing swords, fire arrows and be encased in armour for the day. But that's just what's on offer at the annual Festival of History, run by English Heritage at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire later this month. |
| Recreating the Battle of HastingsAn estimated 20,000 people belong to re-enactment societies in the UK, ranging from Roman times to World War II. Among the first was Sealed Knot, established in 1968 to replay the English Civil War. | Recreating the Battle of HastingsAn estimated 20,000 people belong to re-enactment societies in the UK, ranging from Roman times to World War II. Among the first was Sealed Knot, established in 1968 to replay the English Civil War. |
| English Heritage itself stages 300 re-enactment events a year, of which the festival is among the biggest. "We do more than maintain buildings; our remit is to bring history to life, to celebrate English history, and this is a great way to do it," says a spokesman. | English Heritage itself stages 300 re-enactment events a year, of which the festival is among the biggest. "We do more than maintain buildings; our remit is to bring history to life, to celebrate English history, and this is a great way to do it," says a spokesman. |
| My own crash course in chivalry was overseen by Alan Larsen, a historical event expert who organises military and equestrian reconstructions for film and television. He is responsible for, among other things, the medieval side of the festival. | My own crash course in chivalry was overseen by Alan Larsen, a historical event expert who organises military and equestrian reconstructions for film and television. He is responsible for, among other things, the medieval side of the festival. |
| We meet at Druids Lodge, a polo yard close to Salisbury, where I'm introduced to my squire Andreas Wenzel. The 30-year-old German's day job is marketing manager for a forklift company, but he speaks almost constantly about armour, weapons, and anecdotes from the 15th Century. | We meet at Druids Lodge, a polo yard close to Salisbury, where I'm introduced to my squire Andreas Wenzel. The 30-year-old German's day job is marketing manager for a forklift company, but he speaks almost constantly about armour, weapons, and anecdotes from the 15th Century. |
| Pretending to be a knight isn't going to give a sense of the lousy food, the place, the constant threat of death and the total boredom Martin Daunton, Royal Historical Society He explains that my armour is in a German style dating from 1460, but made much more recently at a cost of £5,000. Before donning armour, wannabe knights are dressed in "soft gear" - an arming jack, which is a thick padded jacket covered in chainmail, a beret with a feather, and a pair of blue leggings. | Pretending to be a knight isn't going to give a sense of the lousy food, the place, the constant threat of death and the total boredom Martin Daunton, Royal Historical Society He explains that my armour is in a German style dating from 1460, but made much more recently at a cost of £5,000. Before donning armour, wannabe knights are dressed in "soft gear" - an arming jack, which is a thick padded jacket covered in chainmail, a beret with a feather, and a pair of blue leggings. |
| Andreas, a former fencing expert, introduces me to swords and pole-arms, and we begin practising combat moves. He explains that films are not always a faithful record of combat in centuries past, what with all the dramatic clanging of swords together. | Andreas, a former fencing expert, introduces me to swords and pole-arms, and we begin practising combat moves. He explains that films are not always a faithful record of combat in centuries past, what with all the dramatic clanging of swords together. |
| "There was some parrying of blows, of course, but the main thing was distance and movement. The best way to avoid being hurt is to not be there, so a lot of swordplay actually involves moving out of range of your opponent." | "There was some parrying of blows, of course, but the main thing was distance and movement. The best way to avoid being hurt is to not be there, so a lot of swordplay actually involves moving out of range of your opponent." |
| This is entirely in line with my mode of thinking, only he means taking swift side and back steps, not running away as fast as your leggings will carry you. | This is entirely in line with my mode of thinking, only he means taking swift side and back steps, not running away as fast as your leggings will carry you. |
| On target | On target |
| Next we move on to archery, where I'm given a bow with a 45-pound draw - the measurement of how much power the bow has. That is just a fraction of the 100- to 120-pound draw of the English longbow. "They don't make them like that any more today, because people can't use them." | Next we move on to archery, where I'm given a bow with a 45-pound draw - the measurement of how much power the bow has. That is just a fraction of the 100- to 120-pound draw of the English longbow. "They don't make them like that any more today, because people can't use them." |
| What beginner's luck looks likeEven the 45-pound bow requires brute force to pull back, until Andreas recommends using the back, rather than arm, muscles. This makes a world of difference, demonstrating that it's technique as well as strength that's needed. | What beginner's luck looks likeEven the 45-pound bow requires brute force to pull back, until Andreas recommends using the back, rather than arm, muscles. This makes a world of difference, demonstrating that it's technique as well as strength that's needed. |
| My first arrows mostly miss the target - some by up to 30 feet - but I soon improve dramatically, only missing once and even clipping the red ring around the bulls eye. | My first arrows mostly miss the target - some by up to 30 feet - but I soon improve dramatically, only missing once and even clipping the red ring around the bulls eye. |
| Then it's time to be kitted out in a full suit of armour - an odd experience, as you start getting ready to charge into battle by being completely helpless. | Then it's time to be kitted out in a full suit of armour - an odd experience, as you start getting ready to charge into battle by being completely helpless. |
| "You really can't do any of this yourself," says Andreas as he tightens straps, does up buckles and ties components to the arming jack. | "You really can't do any of this yourself," says Andreas as he tightens straps, does up buckles and ties components to the arming jack. |
| Enlarge Image Armour is supposed to be bespoke, and fit like a second skin. Mine doesn't, having been designed for someone four inches shorter. There are gaps here and there, an obvious drawback when in combat. | Enlarge Image Armour is supposed to be bespoke, and fit like a second skin. Mine doesn't, having been designed for someone four inches shorter. There are gaps here and there, an obvious drawback when in combat. |
| "In times of siege it would never be taken off," Andreas says. "You would sleep in your armour, eat in it, wear it in all conditions." | "In times of siege it would never be taken off," Andreas says. "You would sleep in your armour, eat in it, wear it in all conditions." |
| Once done up like a tinned sardine, I'm led to my trusty steed, a polo horse named Peron. Did I mention I've never ridden before? Happily all goes well - my team of helpers keep everything under control, and Peron is so bored that at one point he falls asleep. | |
| While I don't get to joust, I do get to trot around the yard on the amazingly responsive Peron, a stocky, strong and quick mount very much like the war horses of old. | While I don't get to joust, I do get to trot around the yard on the amazingly responsive Peron, a stocky, strong and quick mount very much like the war horses of old. |
| Past times | Past times |
| The Festival of History will also feature re-enactments of battles from the 12th Century, examples of what made the Roman army so fearsome, and a flying display by vintage fighter planes from World War I. | The Festival of History will also feature re-enactments of battles from the 12th Century, examples of what made the Roman army so fearsome, and a flying display by vintage fighter planes from World War I. |
| Ready for actionAlan says that such events and re-enactments are vital. | Ready for actionAlan says that such events and re-enactments are vital. |
| "In terms of living history, maintaining and demonstrating technology and skills that would otherwise be lost, it's invaluable. Re-enactment needs to be primarily entertainment but historically correct." | "In terms of living history, maintaining and demonstrating technology and skills that would otherwise be lost, it's invaluable. Re-enactment needs to be primarily entertainment but historically correct." |
| But Professor Martin Daunton, of the Royal Historical Society, says that while re-enactments can help children gain an understanding of - and excitement for - history, for adults it is little more than a hobby. | But Professor Martin Daunton, of the Royal Historical Society, says that while re-enactments can help children gain an understanding of - and excitement for - history, for adults it is little more than a hobby. |
| "Pretending to be a knight isn't going to give a sense of the lousy food, the place, the constant threat of death and the total boredom that was part and parcel of that life. Dressing up as a Roundhead is not going to give an understanding of Puritanism or the religious divisions of the 17th Century. | "Pretending to be a knight isn't going to give a sense of the lousy food, the place, the constant threat of death and the total boredom that was part and parcel of that life. Dressing up as a Roundhead is not going to give an understanding of Puritanism or the religious divisions of the 17th Century. |
| "For children, dressing up is a way to engage with the past - so long as they are given further opportunities to think about what conditions were like. It can't be done in isolation." | "For children, dressing up is a way to engage with the past - so long as they are given further opportunities to think about what conditions were like. It can't be done in isolation." |
| But because it is fun, modern men and women persist in dressing up and wielding medieval weaponry, even in the day and age of virtual combat. | But because it is fun, modern men and women persist in dressing up and wielding medieval weaponry, even in the day and age of virtual combat. |
| "Films and television may come and go, but there will always be some geezers in armour running around a wet field in England," Alan says. | "Films and television may come and go, but there will always be some geezers in armour running around a wet field in England," Alan says. |
| The Festival of History takes place on 11 and 12 August. | The Festival of History takes place on 11 and 12 August. |