GREX LUPORUM: February 2017

WEALD & DOWNLAND OPEN AIR MUSEM

SINGLETON Nr. CHICHESTER, UK

During the winter months when not much is happening with historical events around the country our members get the chance to visit some very interesting sites in order to enrich their personal and the company’s historical research and knowledge.

The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum offers a fascinating collection of rescued historic buildings set in the heart of the South Downs National Park.

From early Medieval to 18th-19th century, the exhibits show the living and social conditions of the past with exceptional detail and historical accuracy.

Our visit on an overcast and cold winter weekday didn’t have the pleasures of the summer days, but on the other hand with low visitor numbers gave plenty of time to enjoy the buildings and workshops in a very quiet environment. It is worth the visit at any time of the year.

The 1.30 pm tour to the archives of the museum is the Aladdin’s cave to anyone interested in period tools and materials. Don’t miss it!

Here is a relatively very small collection of photographs of personal interest mainly in the Medieval period.

Saxon house under construction.

Saxon house under construction. (Combine image)

12th - 13th c. medieval cottage.

12th - 13th c. medieval cottage - interior.

14th c. cottage.

14th c. cottage - interior.

14th c. cottage - roof construction.

14th c storage box.

14th - 15th c. house.

14th - 15th c. house - bedroom with canvas waxed windows.

15th c. Yeoman's hall.

15th c. drinking vessel.

15th c. chair.

15th - 16th c. house and shop.

15th - 16th c. shop goods

15th - 16th c. house wall construction.

15th - 16th c. market jail.

Coat of Arms at Chichester old market.

15th - 16th c. house wall decorations.

Types of 15th - 16th c. houses (ceramics)

15th - 16th c. house hall.

15th - 16th c. house room.

Thatched roof construction.

Medieval house frame model.

Detail off 17th c tollhouse.

Medieval Coracle riverboat reconstruction.

The Archives. (combine image)

Types of medieval poetry.

Tools of the trade 15th - 18th c.

Museum view from the woods.

LINKS

Weald & Downland Open Air Museum

http://www.wealddown.co.uk

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AZINCOURT 600, 1415 - 2015

25th and 26th July

FOR KING AND ST GEORGE!

( From Right to Left )- Ed Harris and Yiorgos Nikiteas at Azincourt 600

This special event was shared with archers and knights from 21 countries. It is important to mention firstly that a one minute silence was held before the beginning of each battle in remembrance of the dead and in respect to so many warriors 600 years ago who fought for their countries and their kings.

I have to apologise for using mostly other peoples’ photographs to commemorate the event and credit has been given to the sources where I was able to find them. Please do not hesitate to contact me to claim your credit or remove the image if you wish. As you can all understand, since both of us were combatants it was difficult to take photographs and/or carry cameras.

We carried our team’s colours as a badge on our left arm and we are proud and honoured that we were accepted by the organisers and the museum of Azincourt on the basis of the historical accuracy of our kit. We all shot with bows #50 and below at the battle but in the big shoot Ed shot with #105@32 and Yiorgos with #100@32 war bows and on both occasions with blunt arrows.

Photo: David Varey

Photo: Marta Gorath

Yiorgos with John Conyard of COMITATUS at the "Friendship Evening"

The internet is full of videos and images from the event but I will also supply some useful links at the end of the posting. The photographs here will give you a small taste of the event.

We would like to thank the organisers for this excellent event and the “Night of Friendship”, the museum of Azincourt for the free access to all participants at the event, the farmer(s) that gave up their very large fields for the battle and the Medieval camp, the traders ( especially the Ukrainian armoury from which I bought my “primitive” falchion), and above all the participants and the public who came to see us at this unique event and a special thanks to all combatants for the safe outcome of the battles.

An especial thanks to “The Free Company of Aquitaine” for the archery organisation of the two flanks of the English archers, and for giving us rescue when the heavens opened with some impressive storms . A real Azincourt experience!!!