Regia Anglorum
Encyclopedia
Regia Anglorum is a Medieval reenactment
organisation reenacting the life and times of the peoples who lived in and around the Islands of Britain
from the time of Alfred the Great
to Richard the Lionheart. The society has gained in popularity as a result of being featured in television programmes such as Michael Wood on Beowulf (BBC Four, 2009).
It was founded in 1986 by members formerly of 'The Vikings'
and has a large British membership. An unincorporated association, it claims to be one of the largest Early Middle Ages
re-enactment societies in the world. The organisation is currently composed of 41 Local Groups, most within the UK and some in North America.
Regia Anglorum is an Associate Sponsor of the British Museum, and is a founder member of the National Association of Re-enactment Societies
and The Battlefields Trust.
, the group is building a permanent site. It is a full-scale replica of a defended manorial burgh
and the flooded ring ditch and bank surmounted by 220 metres of palisade encloses an acre. The Longhall is complete, secure and weatherproof and at 60' x 30' x 30' (approx 20 x 10 x 10 metres) is by far the largest building of its kind in Britain. Gatehouses are under construction, two small cottages are already in use and further structures are planned in an ongoing development programme.
The site is used for educational purposes and is open for public visits, but Regia Anglorum says it does not aim to make a profit from it. The primary purpose of the settlement is to enable the group's members to experience the lifestyle of the period in a more complete way than ever before. The site, known as "Wychurst" (AS, "the village in the wood"), is situated some 60 miles (96.6 km) from Central London
near Canterbury
in Kent
.
which usually occurs in October. A National Training Scheme exists to ensure authenticity and safety at these events.
, 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth and A History of Britain to adverts and music videos.
Regia Anglorum produces two regular publications: Chronicle, the society's journal; and Clamavi, an occasional newsletter.
Medieval reenactment
Medieval reenactment is a form of historical reenactment that focuses on re-enacting European history in the period from the fall of Rome to about the end of the 15th century. The second half of this period is often called the Middle Ages...
organisation reenacting the life and times of the peoples who lived in and around the Islands of Britain
British Islands
British Islands is a term within the law of the United Kingdom which since 1889 has referred collectively to the following four states:*the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ;...
from the time of Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899.Alfred is noted for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English monarch still to be accorded the epithet "the Great". Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself...
to Richard the Lionheart. The society has gained in popularity as a result of being featured in television programmes such as Michael Wood on Beowulf (BBC Four, 2009).
It was founded in 1986 by members formerly of 'The Vikings'
The Vikings (reenactment)
"The Vikings" is a British society of re-enactors, dedicated to the study and re-enactment of the culture of the Viking Age and the display of authentic Dark Ages living history and combat.- Origins :...
and has a large British membership. An unincorporated association, it claims to be one of the largest Early Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages was the period of European history lasting from the 5th century to approximately 1000. The Early Middle Ages followed the decline of the Western Roman Empire and preceded the High Middle Ages...
re-enactment societies in the world. The organisation is currently composed of 41 Local Groups, most within the UK and some in North America.
Regia Anglorum is an Associate Sponsor of the British Museum, and is a founder member of the National Association of Re-enactment Societies
National Association of Re-enactment Societies
The National Association of Re-enactment Societies was formed in 1991 and is a UK organisation that brings together UK historical re-enactment groups.-Objectives:...
and The Battlefields Trust.
The Wychurst Project
The most high-profile of Regia Anglorum's activities is the Wychurst Project. On 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of freeheld land in KentKent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, the group is building a permanent site. It is a full-scale replica of a defended manorial burgh
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
and the flooded ring ditch and bank surmounted by 220 metres of palisade encloses an acre. The Longhall is complete, secure and weatherproof and at 60' x 30' x 30' (approx 20 x 10 x 10 metres) is by far the largest building of its kind in Britain. Gatehouses are under construction, two small cottages are already in use and further structures are planned in an ongoing development programme.
The site is used for educational purposes and is open for public visits, but Regia Anglorum says it does not aim to make a profit from it. The primary purpose of the settlement is to enable the group's members to experience the lifestyle of the period in a more complete way than ever before. The site, known as "Wychurst" (AS, "the village in the wood"), is situated some 60 miles (96.6 km) from Central London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
near Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
in Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
.
Living history
Living history encampments are a major feature of most re-enactment societies. A range of tented structures is erected at every Regia Anglorum event, and members demonstrate a variety of crafts and everyday activities in their historical context.Ships and sailing
Regia Anglorum currently owns five vessels. The biggest are three similar hulls measuring 47' by 9' in the beam. Drawing about 3', they are suitable for use on inland waters and at sea in coastal waters. A 35' wooden replica is currently undergoing repairs in Scotland and a 20' replica of the Gokstad Faering is in constant use at events throughout the UK in the course of a year. These full scale ship replicas are used at events and for media work.Reenactment events
Like most large reenactment groups, Regia Anglorum's activities include participation in local and national reenactment and reconstruction events such as the Battle of HastingsBattle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II...
which usually occurs in October. A National Training Scheme exists to ensure authenticity and safety at these events.
Films and television
Members of Regia occasionally appear as extras in film and television, and members have appeared in over eighty separate works to date, from serious documentaries such as Blood of the VikingsBlood of the Vikings
Blood of the Vikings was a 5 part 2001 BBC Television documentary series that traced the legacy of the Vikings in the British Isles through a genetics survey.-Production:...
, 1066: The Battle for Middle Earth and A History of Britain to adverts and music videos.
Horses and riding
Regia has two teams of riders: "The Radfolc" and "The Conroi". These are funded by members themselves. The military wing - The Conroi - are to be seen increasingly at re-enactment events all over the UK.Infrastructure
The society funds its activities primarily through membership and events fees. It also provides facilities for school visits at many of its events. There are also teams and individuals who provide a school visitor service. Principally, their work mostly takes place in a Primary context under Key Stage Two - "Invaders" but can also expand on the Battle of Hastings theme at the beginning of KS3.Regia Anglorum produces two regular publications: Chronicle, the society's journal; and Clamavi, an occasional newsletter.