Re-enactment

Welcome to Keele University's re-enactment and living history society! Focussed on 12th and 15th-century history, but always looking to expand if someone has ideas and expertise, we are affiliated with Historia Normannis, a nationwide organisation that accurately portrays life in Anglo-Norman Britain during the 12th century (think Robin Hood), as well as Bellum Fraternum, for the plate armour of the 15th.

Join the Discord: https://discord.com/invite/YEZgx4bZzE

Every Sunday from 11:00 we run full training sessions in re-enactment safe combat, as would have been the case back in the 12th century, down at the field near the Sneyd Arms in Keele Village (https://goo.gl/maps/MYUM526FeYx). New members are welcome at any time in the year, and getting there is easy! Facing towards the road down Lindsay, just turn right, walk along past Holly Cross and the Oaks, and within 10 minutes you'll see our field and the village beyond it. For the first few weeks of term we also have a member waiting at the Forest of Light so new members can be shown the way.
 

Apart from training, we hold craft sessions where members are taught lifelong skills such as sewing, leatherwork, woodwork and metalwork, in order to produce their own items of authentic 12th-century kit to wear at shows over the summer. So far we have run 1-2 craft sessions per week with the main craft being over at the Staffordshire University campus, in the Mellor building, which you can travel to on the 25 bus (https://maps.app.goo.gl/7ov9yHCePWxQpHNi9). There is also occasionally a craft session at on Keele campus on a Thursday, however, this may change. Craft sessions are held from around 7-10 in the evening but there is no pressure to stay the entire time, or to even attend other than for a good time and company.

In preparation for the summer show season, there are also 2 regional training sessions, in which all reenactment groups from North Mercia (our group region) come together at Markeeten Park (Derby) to do one massive training session. There is also a group-wide trip to the TORM  and ARM reenactment markets (also 2 times per year) in which you can purchase new materials for any medieval craft you might wish to pursue, or to gather new supplies or materials for combat, or for the summer shows. 

All of this is buildup to our nationwide affiliate's summer show season, where fellows come together from across the UK in living history shows and mock battles that can be thousands strong. This is when during select weekends, English Heritage brings together the different reenactment groups all across the country, to put on a living history encampment. There are combat displays and tournaments for the public as well as displays of different crafts and projects that you can look around and maybe even try from different groups. You do not have to join us in these summer shows but it is encouraged as it is a lot of fun and is a great way to meet lots of new people and learn the history and all in all just to have a bit of fun.

But we are always flexible with our members' varying amounts of time and commitment. Just want to come to craft? Just like combat? Want advice on getting hold of some of your own kit and going to re-enactor markets? Or happy with the group offerings? We look forward to seeing you anyway!

See you soon!