Hark, noble members and friends of the retinue! As the year draws to a close and we stow our pavilions and polish our harnesses for the winter. Let us look back upon a season of great endeavour, camaraderie, and learning. From the first verdant shoots of spring to the dusty fields of summer, our re-enactment company has represented the glory of 15th century Burgundy with honour.
April: The Training Camp
Our year began not on the field of battle, but in the crucible of preparation. Our annual Training Camp served as a splendid introduction for our new members and a vital refresher for our veterans. We focused on the art of presentation, how our camp should look, sound, and feel. It was a time of forging bonds and establishing the standards of excellence that would guide us through the season. A most promising and harmonious start to the year.
Evesham Re-enactment festival: A Triumphant Debut
Our first public event, graciously hosted by the Twin Tailed Lions Company, was a resounding success! Our camp was a hive of authentic activity, with our skilled stonemason drawing much admiration alongside our other artisans practising their crafts. The highlight, however, was a grand and climactic duel, where our Lord, Louis de Gruthusse, met Sir Albrecht of House Hohenzollern in single combat and emerged victorious! The event’s atmosphere was superb, and the consensus is clear: we shall gladly answer the call to Evesham next year.
Barnet: A Gathering of Minds and Arms
As guests of the War of the Roses Society in North London, we enjoyed a different but no less valuable experience. The event was rich with scholarly discourse, featuring talks on feminism in the medieval ages and the responsibilities of nobility. A demonstration on the arming of a 15th century knight was particularly enlightening for many members of the public. The atmosphere was engaging and thoughtfully curated, making it a popular event for all our members. We hope to return next year.
Tewkesbury Medieval Re-enactment festival: Trials Under the Sun
The historic field of Tewkesbury presented our company with one of its greatest challenges: an unseasonable and relentless heat. While the event was large and vibrant, the arduous weather prompted us to make a strategic withdrawal after a single day to preserve the health and spirits of the company. Despite the early departure, our Lord Louis de Gruthusse was honoured with the memorable role of executioner during the poignant ceremonies at the Abbey, a duty he performed with grim solemnity. Upon reflection, while the grand scale of the event was impressive, we feel that any future involvement would be best undertaken with a smaller, more focused contingent.
Battle of the Black Cat: A Local and Lively Finale
Serving as a nice end to our season was the local Battle of the Black Cat. Though the skies were damp, the spirits of our company remained undampened! We were pleased to see a good amount of public footfall, and the battles on both days were most enjoyable. Our own Sir Albrecht had a moment of particular glory, being chosen as a champion and winning a splendid duel against a Viking on the Saturday. His fortunes turned on the Sunday, however, in a most memorable and good-humoured defeat where he fell rather spectacularly to a Viking child wielding a poleaxe—a delightful reminder of the joy and unpredictability of our craft!
Battles Through History: Potentially Great
This event promised a grand spectacle of nearly two thousand years of British military history, though the howling wind seemed a constant companion. Unfortunately, fate intervened, and half the expected medieval contingents were unable to attend, leaving our numbers thin for the battle demonstrations. While our knights excelled in their appointed roles as field marshals, and we had the distinct pleasure of meeting a company of most entertaining Burgundian gunners, the public footfall at our end of the field was sparse. Undaunted, we transformed our Saturday camp into a wandering party on the Sunday, bringing our Burgundian spirit directly to the public before many of us made an early departure. The event possesses all the ingredients for a truly great spectacle, and we sincerely hope it grows in stature year on year, as its potential is undeniable.
Final Musings
This year has been one of growth and reaffirmation. We have celebrated our strengths in Evesham and Barnet, learned from the challenges of Tewkesbury, and embraced improvisation at Battles Through History. Our community has been strengthened by new members and our reputation enhanced by our artisans and combatants.
We look forward to the winter’s rest, to mending our gear and sharing tales around the hearth. But we also look ahead to 2026, ready to once again raise the banners of Burgundy high!