A historian of pageants watches a battle re-enactment
I spent Sunday afternoon at Bernard’s Heath in St Albans, with about 2,000 other people. It was a re-eanctment of the second battle of St Albans in 1461, one of the most important of the Wars of the Roses. The event was part of Sandridge 900+, commemorating the anniversary of St Leonard’s Church, Sandridge, a village to the north of St Albans.
The re-enactment was carried out by the Medieval Siege Society, who
spent the weekend camped on Bernard’s Heath, dressed in medieval costume and
interacting with members of the public. There were various displays of weaponry
and medieval crafts: perhaps the most spectacular was the firing of a replica
trebuchet, a large catapult used to fire stones – or, in this case, cabbages –
at besieged medieval communities.
Above: The trebuchet that fired
cabbages across Bernard’s Heath
The event culminated in the battle itself: the re-enacters used bows and arrows, guns and swords: the guns, in particular, frightened some of the young children in the audience. Many of the leading characters were represented in a parley at the end of the battle, including Henry VI and his queen, Margaret of Anjou.
Above: A scene from the battle
There are much better pictures than mine here:
http://hertfordshire-genealogy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-second-battle-of-st-albans-2014.html
In many ways, watching the re-enactment must have been similar to the experience of seeing a historical pageant. Despite amplified sound, it was sometimes difficult to hear what the announcer was saying, and I found myself wishing for a book of words or pictorial guide to help me to understand the action better.
But overall the event was an excellent example of historical re-enactment with a wide community involvement, and with a hog roast, book stall and beer tent (featuring some excellent ales from Tring Brewery), everyone’s needs were met to the full.
Below: The assembled crowd
awaiting the battle re-enactment
Mark Freeman