[Regia-NA] Invitation to Hastings IIIV

[list-regia-na@lig.net]

The last few years have seen a surge of interest in Early Medieval living 
history and re-enactment. Inspired by the success of the various groups in the 
UK and Australia, there are now more people in North America engaging in this 
sort of activity than ever before.

The longest-running Early Medieval re-enactment event in North America is 
Markland's Battle of Hastings at Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD. The last 
couple years have seen the Hastings event endeavouring to tighten authenticity 
standards and increase the input of outside groups.

The number of Early medieval (800-1100) clubs now operating in the United 
States and Canada, coupled with the new, more authentic format of the Hastings 
re-enactment, has created a great opportunity for some of these groups to come 
together and meet. Markland, The Longship Company, Midgard, the Ostvik Vikings 
and the Vinland Vikings have already committed to participate at the Battle of 
Hastings and a number of non-affiliated re-enactors are making the trek as 
well. This year's Hastings is promising to be one of the biggest since the 
new focus on increased authenticity has been encouraged.

Groups doing other portrayals, from the thirteenth to fifteenth century, are 
participating as well in the living history and combat displays.

I am new to re-enactment and am not affiliated with any existing re-
enactment group. The key Hastings folks I have been in communication with have 
assured me that they are enthusiastic about new people and groups participating 
in the living history displays and the re-enactment. They have restructured to 
allow non-Markland members to participate in the steel combat for a $5 
weekend membership fee (with prior approval), have promised to honour steel 
authorizations from other clubs (with prior approval), and have just 
generally attempted to increase the Battle's appeal and accessibility to as 
many different Dark Ages re-enactors as possible.

So, the purpose of this wordy missive is to extend a friendly invitation to the 
North American Early Medieval re-enactment community. Webpages and various 
Internet discussion boards have shown that you, as groups and individuals, have 
worked hard to create convincing historical portrayals and active re-enactment 
communities. Having some of these groups and unaffiliated individuals get 
together to share ideas, do displays and enjoy a little violence would be a 
great opportunity to cement relationships and help the future of these sort of 
activities in the US and Canada.

And, who knows, you just MAY have a little fun doing it.

For discussion, subscribe to hastingsgroup@yahoogroups.com (and introduce 
yourself!)

To communicate with this year's event co-ordinator (all enquiries) email Bruce 
Blackistone of The Longship Company asylum@earthlink.net

For club registration forms, email Susan Wolfe susan.wolfe@pgparks.com

For clothing, combat and equipment standards, as well as pictures 
from last 
year's Hastings, check the Midgard website http://www.larp.com/midgard

Best Wishes,

Wil Yannacoulias
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada