Membership of The Lords Retinue  

The Retinue is always on the look out for new, enthusiastic members who share our interest in recreating English life in the late 15th century - The Wars of The Roses.

Your first step should be to come to an event to actually see the Retinue 'in action' and get a feel for our  style of Historical Interpretation and Living History. If you have already done this and you feel that our style of Living History is for you, then you will need to know something about our standards, rules and membership fee.

You may ask to join as either an active member, taking part in events or as a supporter; membership costs: £15.00 per year for adults, £10.00 for OAPS, children, UB40’s and students.  Please note that under sixteen cannot join unless in the direct care of a member parent. Your membership fee provides you with; Public liability insurance at events, Invites to ALL Society events, regular bulletins, the Society 'Maynfer' journal, information pamphlets covering all aspects of English Medieval life, training and support, invites to social events and much more.  The Society is non-profit making and we are ALL volunteers. 

Active members are given twelve months from joining to acquire the Retinue Minimum Standard of Dress - there are no exceptions to this rule:  

What it's all about......... having a cracking good time

         MEN

  • HATS - Worn with or without a linen coif, and at all times unless serving at table or working indoors.
  • SHIRT - Fine white linen (You are advised to have at least two).
  • BRAIES - Linen underpants, wear them or go without!
  • DOUBLET - Wool cloth with linen lining and full sleeves, 'pointed/laced' to your HOSE.
  • HOSE - Wool cloth, joined variety.
  • JACKET/COAT - Wool cloth with linen lining, for civilian use.
  • SHOES - or boots in correct style and construction.
  • BELT - Narrow type with correct buckle, plates and 'ender', dyed and stamped correctly.
  • PURSE - Leather or cloth in correct style and construction.
  • KNIFE - Correct style eating and utility knife.
  • SPOON - Wood, Horn or Pewter.

         WOMEN

  • HEADDRESS - Various basic styles.
  • SHIFT - Fine white linen (You are advised to have at least two).
  • KIRTLE - Wool cloth and linen lining.
  • GOWN - Wool cloth and linen lining with broad belt and correct fittings.
  • HOSE - Wool cloth or linen with garters.
  • SHOES - or boots in correct style and construction.
  • BELT - narrow type with correct buckle, plate and 'ender', dyed and stamped correctly.
  • PURSE - Cloth bag with drawsrings.
  • KNIFE - Correct style eating and utility knife.
  • SPOON - Wood, horn, or Pewter. 

     You are strongly advised to have a cloak and a script bag

For those of you who are serious enough to wish to join full support will be given to help you to achieve our high standards, and we offer a range of clothes and equipment to hire, for a nominal fee, to get you started and on your way until yours are made.  

Members help out with publicity for Lincolnshire County Counci;

The Retinue is socially based with military aspects - exactly as life was really like in Wars of The Roses England.  We want people to join us who can bring more diversity to the Retinue; Doctors, Butler, Bowyer, Candle maker, Cooks, Cordwainers, Saddler, Acaterer, Sewers, Ladies-in-Waiting, Washerwomen, Gentlemen, Chaplains, Nuns, Monks...........................................................

But for those with a truly military interest we are members of the Federation of The Wars of The Roses and Livery and Maintenance and we take part in major re-enactment battles across the UK.  The military aspects of the Wars of The Roses are always a feature of our events and full training is offered for a wide range of weapons such as; sword, bill, crossbow, longbow and handegonne, with the chance to further your training with some of re-enactments finest combat groups such as our good friends The Duke of Buckingham’s Retinue.  

This is a hobby we take very seriously, just as divers buy the very best equipment and train to be safe in their hobby, we ask you to start off with the very best and achieve an acceptable standard of dress to begin with, and then to settle down and look at what you want from your hobby,  because the Society provides a 'broad church' framework, set within the Household of a Knightly family, which gives every member the chance to do what they want and (within reason of course!) be who they want to be, and to enjoy themselves too! The Society does not allow cross-dressing under any circumstances.

If you feel, after reading all this, that Lord Burghs Retinue is the Society you want to join, then write to: Paul Mason, Chairman of The Retinue, at 54 Grantham Road, Waddington, Lincoln, LN5 9LS or e-mail Di Parker our secretary at: burgh-secretary@ntlworld.com 

Chairman of the Retinue 07762300656