One of the group's most popular events, Skipton Castle was once again brought to life by Buckingham’s Retinue over the weekend of 27th-28th July.
Each day began on the castle lawn with a display of archery, followed by a sword school for younger visitors. In the great hall, talks on medieval fashion and etiquette were held, while the kitchens were in full swing producing an array of delicious food from authentic medieval recipes.
The event concluded with our knights' procession from the castle to the tournament arena for a display of medieval combat. All this in addition to the living history and craft displays put on throughout the day by individual group members.
Group members will be attending the battle of Bosworth reenactment event 17th-18th August. Our next full event will be Framlingham Castle, Suffolk, 24th-26th August.
Buckingham's Retinue once again ventured to the depths of Wiltshire to attend the spectacular Chalke History Festival. In addition to authors, historians and presenters, the festival hosts some of the best living history groups and performers in the country, with displays from the Iron Age to the Cold War.
This gave us an excellent opportunity to work together with other medievalists, to provide much larger archery and firepower displays and an excellent turn out for our medieval music and dance demonstration, both of which proved popular with the public.
These were in addition to our regular medieval arms and armour, medicine and cooking talks and displays.
Some group members will be attending the Tewksbury Mediaeval Festival on 13th-14th July. Our next full event will be Skipton Castle, 27th-28th July.
Over the late May bank holiday weekend Buckingham's Retinue were at Tattershall castle, a beautiful 15th century brick castle in the heart of Lincolnshire and home of Lord Ralph Cromwell, an important politician in the government of King Henry VI.
The castle
Despite somewhat inclement weather, the castle received good numbers of visitors, with our living history displays being busy throughout the day and the timetabled talks proving popular.
The view of the camp from the castle roof.
Castle volunteer photographer Mike Pounder has kindly taken some wonderful photos of the site and the group, available on his website.
Your humble scribe taking a well earned snooze.
Link to Saturday photos:Buckingham's Retinue (mikepounder.com)
Link to Sunday photos: Buckingham's Retinue-260524 (mikepounder.com)
Due to the cancellation of the Barnet Mediaeval Festival, our next event will now be the Chalke Valley History Festival, in Broad Chalke, Wiltshire on the weekend of 29th and 30th June. Please see the CVHF website for details and tickets: Home - Chalke History Festival (chalkefestival.com)
