Retinue
News
Hello
and welcome to our website. We apologise for the lack of new news and
information but our stalwart, loyal and good looking web master suffered
a heart problem which slowed him down just a bit. Kevin is now
recovering and can get back to the stress of fully overhauling this site
over winter – a bit of a revamp to make it simpler to use but still
featuring the in depth information many of you have complimented us on.
We will also be updating the meet the Retinue pages and updating the
photo’s to bring us up to date.
With
our last event of the year at The Old Hall coming up fast (Saturday
& Sunday 10-11th September)
we can reflect on another surprisingly busy season; surprising as we had
feared a drop in bookings due to the countries problems but we have been
as busy as ever. The value for money and high authenticity Living
History that The Retinue bring to any event mean that those visitors to
the venues we appear at experience an exciting, colourful, noisy,
musical, tasty, visual, hands on and entertaining whole day with us,
bringing to life any venue from a ruined castle to intact manor house.
We
try not to blow our own trumpet and rely on word of mouth and repeat
bookings and if you have been to see us we hope that you did enjoy
yourselves?
The
Hussey Tower in Boston provided a chance to appear again at the first
site we appeared at way back in 1999, once again for Heritage
Lincolnshire who do so much to maintain and protect the counties
historic sites. The one day event featured a weapon display, the
Wisewoman, our musicians and Sir Richard our Gilbertine Chaplain. We
were visited throughout the day by several schools and also VIP’s
amongst who was the present Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a post that Sir
Thomas filled twice during his lifetime.
The
following weekend was the Visit of King Richard III 1483 at The Old Hall
in Gainsborough a joint event with our very good friends The Beaufort
Companye. We had planned to do a great deal more outside the Manor
House, but the overrun of the roofing contractors meant that the whole
house was still surrounded by security fencing and ugly scaffolding that
put many visitors off. Those who did attend the event got to see more of
the social side of 1483 and the spectacle of a royal visit by one of
England’s most controversial kings, his Queen and many of the famous
names associated with the court, all based within the magnificent manor
house. We will be submitting an illustrated article to Skirmish magazine
shortly, so keep a look out for it.
We
attended the WORF event at Bolsover Castle at the end of May and despite
the steady rain on the Monday it was a really enjoyable event with some
great fun in the court scenes and battles. The archery practice on the
pristine bowling green was a highlight, especially when the EH custodian
threw us and the Beaufort’s off it!!!
Our
next event was the History Festival in Peterborough in June; this found
us in pride of place with the entire camp set up on the Bishops own
lawn!
The
weather was spot on and got hotter and hotter which although nice made
life very hot in the battle kit worn for the arena displays! We had a
great deal of very positive feedback for you the visitor and we were
especially pleased to be told that we were the best arena display of the
weekend! To round things off we were approached by several venue
representatives asking if we were available for 2012 – thank you.
Some
members went to the annual Tewkesbury battle and Fayre, the weather
staying fairly kind and this, as almost always, was enjoyed by all.
The
English Heritage Festival of History at Kelmarsh featured The Battle of
Bosworth 1485 as the WORF organised offering. The weather failed us with
steady rain which actually stopped when we marched on and we had damp
tents to dry out at home. Although wet and windy the Kelmarsh event was
very good and we are looking forward to Stoke Field 1487, if it comes
off next year.
August
saw just a few members at the Bosworth visitors centre for the annual
battle re-enactment which again was WORF organised and went very well
indeed with some first class jousting from Destrier and plenty of
visitors in attendance.
The
next weekend a Bank Holiday, was Castle Rising near Kings Lynn and we
suffered some disruption and concern when our regular van hire firm –
Northgate – refused to provide us with insurance! After some last
minute phoning around we found a local firm who had a large van we could
have. Our account with Northgate has been terminated and we are speaking
to Hertz for future hires as they do provide insurance!
Setting
up at Rising will be remembered for the huge hail storm which covered
the grass and the thunder and lightening that went with it! The Sunday
was warm, very sunny with hundreds of visitors, many of whom stopped all
day to the end when they joined in with the period dancing. Rising would
not be Rising without the ghosts and someone being ill; this time our
musicians instruments were moved and our cook was suffering from kidney
stones. The Monday was not as warm and bright but we still had lots of
visitors and they enjoyed the 1471 background from beginning to end. A
big thanks to Norman at the castle for his hospitality.
With
our last event at The Old Hall rounding off the season we can look back
and be fairly pleased with what we have achieved in 2011.
Our
sponsor Mohawk Security have allowed us to acquire some kit and
equipment that will enhance the camp site and add in to our events –
green/white & blue/white sashes to allow us to be Tudors and
Lancastrians on the battlefield, a wheelbarrow (under construction)
wooden lanterns for the mess tent and camp site and a tall flag pole to
fly the new Burgh Standard. We are also purchasing a skittle set and
some more coins as well as revamping our medieval games box to make it
more authentic and easier to understand.
Now
is the time to be enquiring about membership for those of you who want
to be the very best and are willing to commit to re-enactment so get in
touch and take the first steps to becoming a member of Sir Thomas
Burgh’s Retinue.
If
you are looking at booking us for 2012 then don’t leave it too long as
we have a number of enquires already!
Yours
aye
