Thank you for your interest in Buckingham's Retinue!

Buckingham’s Retinue is made up of families and individuals with a keen interest in the Late Medieval (late 15^th Century) and early Tudor eras. We form one of the more historically accurate re-enactment societies, with authenticity at the heart of all we do. We are members of both Livery and Maintenance and the Wars of the Roses Federation.

Our members try to bring history to life through a variety of means. We concentrate on the volatile times of the Wars of the Roses and the intrigue of the the reign of Henry VIII

The members of Buckingham's Retinue have wide ranging interests and skill sets which they love to demonstrate and/or talk about with visitors to your site. They include medieval barber surgery, dyeing, spinning, weaving, woodworking, games, hunting, black powder and bullet making. Please note that attendance at events for our members is purely voluntary, therefore we can not guarantee that any particular skill will be represented. However, there are certain skills that are widespread within the Retinue and are therefore more likely to be represented. These include cookery, archery, bill fighting, sempstress, music and dancing and black powder use.

We can put on a wide ranging style of events tailored to your requirements. Many of the following elements can be combined to create your perfect event:  

• Fighting demonstrations – bill, sword, pole axe or stave
• Firepower demonstrations – archery and our canon 'Gwynifer', plus Handgonnes (if in attendance)
• Role playing – all levels of society
• Populating a castle and it's garrison
• Murder mystery
• Medieval courts and justice
• Family tournament – staged fighting contests, archery contests, and medieval games such as buckler ball and hat fencing
• 'kiddies' bill drill
• Childrens 'Knight school'
• Music and Dancing – with audience participation
• Mumming Plays
• Cookery talks and demonstrations
• Arms and armour talks, can include arming of a knight
• A wide range of living history demonstrations

At your event weekend our members will perform to the schedule that we will have agreed with you in advance. This will typically have timetabled slots on the hour, but our members will interact with the public throughout the day. We aim to educate, entertain and inform the visitors to your site whilst ensuring they are having fun throughout the whole day.

Buckingham's Retinue normally operate from a tented encampment, therefore we will require 24 hour access to toilets plus wood and water, and a reasonably flat area to set up. If, however, it is more appropriate for your site we can use the buildings to sleep in and make them 'authentic' for use in the daytime.

Our past employers have included:

• English Heritage
• National Trust
• Leicestershire County Council
• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
• Stafford Borough Council
• Skipton Castle
• Bolton Castle
• Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings
• Denny Abbey
• Foreign Field Events

We have also undertaken film work for BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5, and as part of umbrella groups for Sky TV, and taken part in historic events such as the re-interment of Richard III

We receive positive feedback and regular repeat bookings from event organisers

'For our Medieval event in 2012 Buckingham's Retinue provided us with a comprehensive medieval encampment and range of displays from weapons demonstrations to medieval games. Our museum aims to provide great value for visitors of all ages. Buckingham's Retinue meet this perfectly; striking the balance right between audience participation, historical accuracy and exciting action, giving all of our visitors an entertaining hands on experience with the past. Buckingham's Retinue really brought the site to life and can recommend them for any medieval living history event that requires lively and engaging reenactors that will draw a large crowd.' Adam Macro Collections Manager Denny Abbey and the
Farmland Museum, Cambridgeshire

I just wanted to say a very big thank you to you all for the part you played in the success of this years festival. We had some great feed back from visitors.

I have asked English Heritage if we can have you all back again as you were just superb. I was particularly impressed by the way you calmly dealt with BBC Radio York interview that was sprung on you last minute!

I am really looking forward to seeing you all next year.

Middleham Castle 2018

We are covered by a public liability insurance policy, and have a comprehensive set of risk assessments for our activities. Both are available for review. We will of course work with you to ensure that any particular circumstances of your site are taken into account.

Buckingham's Retinue is a not for profit organisation. However we do charge for our services. Our fee will depend upon the style of event and the range of the content that you require. Contact us at the address below for a quote.

We are taking bookings for 2020 and 2021. If you would like to talk to us about an event then please contact Paul Bavil at the email address below.