Thinking of Joining us?

What does it cost?

A small membership fee is agreed each year.  The major cost will be your clothing and equipment (you should expect to spend several hundred pounds on your starter kit), and of course you will need to travel to and from events.

What can I do at events?

If you have a skill or craft which is appropriate to the medieval period, you can do this on camp.   You might wish to develop and adapt an existing skill, e.g. calligraphy would be a good starting point to set up as a scribe or illuminator.  Our members have tried many crafts and will be happy to advise, or to help you source authentic materials and tools.  Maybe you have a character already.  Storytelling, music, song and dance are welcomed at events. No specialist knowledge or performing skills are required – there are plenty of tasks around the camp which will keep you busy and interested whilst you consider your options.  Food has to be prepared, and to do this we need wood to be chopped for the fire and water to be fetched.  Washing up and sometimes laundry also has to be done!  Group members have a range of games which can be played on camp.  These are a good way to pass the time and get to know fellow members, as well as involving the public.  Often small cameos or scenarios are played out at events, for example, a wedding or a local dispute.  All are welcome to participate in these and no special skills are required. For the men, there is also the option to participate in military activities, such as archery or bill fighting.  You will be given some training before setting foot on the battlefield.  Those with an interest in equestrian matters may be asked to “ground crew” for skill at arms displays or the joust.  This means setting up the equipment, making sure the riders have the correct weapons to hand or maybe acting as a squire to one of the knights.

Do I need to know a lot of history?

No.  You will find that your new hobby prompts you to research various aspects of the period, but you do not need to be a scholar.

What will I need?

You will need clothing - a list of the basics is provided in our kit guide, along with a detailed description of both male and female clothing, and a gallery of pictorial references.  Please study this material carefully before making or buying any clothing. 

It is best to start by portraying a person of low status.  If you choose to portray a wealthy person, not only will your clothing and equipment be much more expensive, but your whole persona, manners, activities, and all your equipment, tent, equipment etc. must be appropriate to your status.    As an example, if you are dressed as in high status it is inappropriate for you to participate in cookery, crafts or sit around chatting with the workers.  You might need servants to carry out some duties for you.   Being a commoner is probably more fun (and certainly less expensive) - especially if you are new to reenactment! 

For all kit, please contact a member of Nesfields before buying or making.  They will advise on the correct fabrics and colours, and can recommend suppliers.  This will avoid costly mistakes and anachronisms, especially for the Military clothing.  We would need to see that your kit was both appropriate and safe before allowing you to participate in an event.  If you just want to see what we do and if reenactment is for you, why not come along as a spectator and meet us at an event?

Please read our kit guides - for ladies and gentlemen, and consult the kit gallery for sources contemporary to our period.

Where can I buy kit?

Reenactor’s markets take place twice a year, in spring and autumn.  These are a good source of ready made clothing, or fabrics if you are handy with a needle and thread.

In 2011:

As these markets cover a number of historical periods, it is easy to make a mistake!  If you are thinking of attending, please contact us, we often attend and will be happy to meet up with you and advise on your purchases. If you plan to make your own kit, a good source of reference for late fifteenth century clothing is the Medieval Tailors Assistant, By Sarah Thursfield (ISBN 0 903585 32 4).  This book gives details of appropriate fabrics, construction techniques and patterns.

What will I eat?

We eat the food which has been prepared each day, and ask for a small fee to cover this.  Food is prepared over an open fire, using medieval recipes.  We can cater for vegetarians.  If you have other special dietary requirements, please discuss these with us before an event.  In the evenings we may visit the pub or local chippy, or prepare a meal on camp.  The evenings are sociable occasions usually spent chatting around the camp fire.  You will need to bring along your own refreshments.

Where will I sleep?

John Nesfield’s Retinue camp authentically, using the white canvas tents which you see in our gallery photographs.  These belong to individual members.  A spare may be available for loan to new members – please enquire.  At some events there is a modern camping area, where you may set up a modern tent to sleep in.  If events are close to home you may wish to day trip, or you may find other accommodation nearby e.g. B&B.

Will I have fun?

Absolutely!

Still thinking of joining us?

Then contact us, or come and meet us at an event.