Rufford Through The Ages - 14th and 15th of May - Des Knock BSc.
For this years event at Rufford check out:
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/countryparks/ruffordlivinghistoryweekend.htm
The weekend of the 14th and 15th of May witnessed a unique event as "Rufford through the Ages" hosted an eclectic array of groups and individuals representing various aspects of this ancient sites heritage. And what a gathering it was too ranging from the Roman period (Legio VII MGV), 11th/12th century (The Vikings/Conquest), 13th century (Knights Hospitalers), Medieval (The Gasgoine, Herbert, Howard, Oxford, Savile, Stanley Households and Lincoln Guild), English Civil War Royalists (C17th Life and Times), 18th century Redcoats (36th Foot), N), 18th century Highwaymen (Stand and Deliver), Napoleonic Redcoats (Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards and 45th Foot), Victorians (Chatelaines and Days Gone By), Leicestershire Yeomanry 1939 (Andy Smerdon), Spanish Civil War Volunteers ( La Columna) and WWII British Infantry (The Royal Norfolk Regiment).
Supporting these main points of focus were Blacke Dickon 12th century Ranger of Royal Sherwood Forest (Richard Rutherford-Moore), 14th century Cistercian Monk (Ralph Needham), 15th century musicians (Hautbois), Tudor Puppets (Perrots Puppet Theatre), Tudor Charcoal Burners (Tudor Group), Historical Traders, Tanks in WWII (Hogarths Heroes), Model of the Maginot Line (Croix de Lorraine), amoung other fascinating items of note.
 And a special treat was in store in the guise of "The Spitfires" who gave a warming performance on Saturday. This latter was doubly needed because of the temperature which to say the least was "cool" particularly on Saturday evening!!! Their voices could be heard carried across the field to the campsite contrasting with a later musical episode I was told was a local "rave", leading to the suspicion that perhaps not all of the outlaws have left Sherwood Forest after all!
The above groups and individuals gave spirited and polished displays and demonstrations over the two days of the event and it would not be fair to highlight any above others but from a personal view I think that the demonstration by Andy Smerden of tent pegging was excellent especially the part when the horse just kept going and he almost disappeared from view before regaining the upper hand. And of course the out and out bounders of "Stand and Deliver" were very imposing especially the teeth which were very impressive as they wandered around the site purloining things to take back to their hideout in the forest. The hat also goes off to the Charcoal burners and Blacke Dickon, complete with period items of equipment, who again were as worn and weathered as the Highwaymen in their realism.
 This was Rufford Abbey's first free admission Multi Period show, staged by Event Plan in conjunction with Nottingham County Council and it is to be hoped that the success of this one will lead to a repeat in the near future. As events go this was not a huge affair but featured a very good cross section of many eras of history ranging from Roman to the 20th century and the end result was a show that was both entertaining and informative, although considering the weather maybe the Arctic Explorers should have been invited along just in case it turned to snow!!! My only criticism, which turns out to be my usual, was the lack of a beer tent but maybe this mystery will be resolved in due course.
Well that just about wraps this all too brief over view except to extend my thanks and appreciation to the re-enactors (great to see John Poole again fulfilling his Romanic duties!), who unstintingly assisted with the action photography, on top of their other tasks in the living history encampments, officials of Nottingham County Council who facilitated my presence on the day, the Event Plan support team, and of course Howard and Barbara Giles for background information, and access to the event.
or more information check out these fascinating sites: http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/countryparks/ruffordlivinghistoryweekend.htm
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/countryparks/ruffordlivinghistoryweekend.htmF
| 
