[Regia-NA] Regia, English Heritage and Hastings 2000

[J. Kim Siddorn]

"Green Shield"  said in respect of Hastings 2000
> I had heard Regia didn't participate because The British Historic society
ticked Regia off. Got to love the rumour mill.>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There is no British Historic Society to my knowledge. The event was managed
by The Vikings on behalf of English Heritage, which is an arm of the British
Government and is a  Quasi Autononymous National Government Organisation (a
QUANGO) that manages and sometimes owns sites of historic interest
throughout England (NOT Britain).

There are a few facts which need restating after this lapse of time, so here
we go.

In November of 1999, the Executive Committee of Regia Anglorum (the High
Witan) decided that we would not "seek work" with English Heritage (EH) for
the coming year. This was mainly because of two reasons.

1. We had come to the end of our patience in an unresolved long term
business dispute with the Special Events Unit (SEU) of English Heritage.  If
you work for someone and have dispute which is not addressed, you can
swallow it and get on with the job or withdraw your labour. We chose the
latter course. This was a private matter and we will not discuss it further.
This decision was publicised in the national re-enactment press in the UK at
the time.

2. Membership support had faded to virtually nothing in respect of EH
events. Poor management, zero supply of dry wood for the fires on the LHE,
drinking water supply and toilets placed far from the site, difficulties in
siting Modern Camp sites, low standard of care and unreasonable expectations
were all reasons cited.


Although it was not a prima facia reason for our withdrawal of our support
for EH events in general and Hastings 2000 in particular, we had seen the
kit parameter for the show and the general feeling was that our standing
would not be enhanced by our participation in the event. As time went by, it
became increasingly obvious that all semblance of standards had been dropped
in a gaderene rush to get the "magic" 1000 people on the field.

However, we made no attempt to stop our members from attending as
individuals if they so wished.

Having myself attended as a member of the public at the Saturday show of
Hastings 2000, I was gratified (although also disappointed) to discover that
we had made the right decision. Modern footwear, spectacles, smoking,
drinking from modern containers (tinnies etc) being worn and/or used whilst
in costume, during opening hours and in front of the public on the living
history exhibit was rife and a complete kaleidoscope of styles and periods
were represented from Vendal period Viking to Angavin period Norman.

The commentary was lamentable and the narrator used the name "Goodwin"
several times until I ripped the door open in exasperation and shouted
"GODWIN, GODWIN!!" at him.. There were references to the "Saxon Freed" being
comprised of "Freedmen", hence the description and other fanciful rubbish
that I will not labour your brow with. I really could have done better
myself twenty years before!

A spectacle it may have been, but perhaps it was not one that committed
members of Regia would have enjoyed. I make no comment or judgement other
than as a competent eye witness with a camera.


I was surprised to receive a steady trickle of "Well done, us next" from
other societies still working for the EH SEU in the months that followed.

The SEU has now been disbanded and major events largely dropped at EH sites
due to a change in EH policy across the board. I understand that Regional
Offices and individual sites are still booking re-enactment societies to
perform events throughout the UK.

There will be a lower key re-enactment of Hastings this year I believe and,
as I write, Regia Anglorum are not involved.

The mooted event several years in the future may or may not take place. I'd
not book your tickets just yet if it were me, a lot can happen in the
intervening time.

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

"Spring in the air?"
"Spring in the air yerself !"


----- Original Message -----
From: "Green Shield" <greenshield@hotmail.com>
To: <list-regia-na@lig.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2003 7:40 PM
Subject: RE: [Regia-NA] Hastings


> I had heard Regia didn't participate because The British Historic society
> ticked Regia off. Got to love the rumor mill.
>
> S
>
>
>
> Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid.
> - Franklin P. Jones
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Nicholson, Andrew" <andrew.nicholson@dumgal.gov.uk>
> >Reply-To: list-regia-na@lig.net
> >To: "'list-regia-na@lig.net'" <list-regia-na@lig.net>
> >Subject: RE: [Regia-NA] Hastings
> >Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 15:05:41 -0000
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >>
> >Yes, anything you learn within Regia will be valid at the next Hastings.
> >The
> >main differences will be in combat rules, which is unsurprising given the
> >number of groups who participate in Hastings. Regia's avoidance of
Hastings
> >[though some members do attend, but not as Regia] is because we don't
> >compromise our corporate standards enough to feel comfortable with the
lack
> >of rigourous authenticity which characterises this event.
> >
> >Guğrum