Issue 37 February

The Mediaeval Babes in Concert at Hereford Cathedral in December 2011

Photographs by Pat Patrick

http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/

Mediaeval Babes in Concert

Mediaeval Babes in Concert

Mediaeval Babes in Concert

Pictures by Pat Patrick

Features This Month 1: Time line Festival, Australia

2: Competition No.1

3: Book Reviews-The Historical Novel Soc.

4: Event Listings

5: Dreamcatcher review with Tony Angelo

Interview with Katherine Ashe

Greetings All

Here’s to 2012!

I sincerely wish you all a fabulous New

Year and hope that you all have a wonderful

re-enactment season!

In December I was at Hereford Cathedral to

listen to The Medieaval Baebes in concert,

the event was well attended and

appreciated. Do have a look at their website

(see front cover) to find out more

information about the group.

The week after the concert I started my new

job at Hampton Court Castle & Gardens in

Herefordshire which I have to admit is

something of a dream job for me and I am

eager to really get to work there!

Congratulations to the all of the lucky

winner of last month’s two competitions.

There were a good number of entries, so

thank you for taking the time to enter. Your

prizes will be with you soon!

I have added a few more groups and traders

so check out the listings attached along with

this magazine-BUT I still want more, so

please do let everyone know that this

magazine is around and after their

information.

Also, please keep your stories and articles

coming as I have plenty of space to fill.

Please contact me at the normal email

address with details!

Editor.

Jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com

Competitions:

All competitions are free to enter

Winners will be selected at random on the 24th

of

each month for the relevant competition.

Winners will be notified via email shortly after

the draw takes place.

No correspondence will be entered into.

The editor’s decision is final.

The views and opinions expressed in the articles in

this ezine are those of the individual authors

themselves and not those of the Editor To receive a copy of this magazine just send

your email address to:

Jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com

A Napoleonic Battle at Timeline Festival

Are my eyes and ears deceiving me?! It is November 2011 and yet the streets of Berwick,

Victoria in Australia echo with the crash of sword on sword, the booming of cannons, the

splintering of jousting lance on shield and the twang of longbows releasing their arrows. This

can only mean one thing…. The Timeline Festival has arrived in town again. This

entertaining and educational event is one of the largest re-enactment events in Australia and

consists of specific re-enactment events from different eras in history combined with market

stalls, children’s events and educational displays. This year’s participants included Ancient

Greek Warriors, Roman Legionnaires, Vikings, Medieval Knights, British and French

Napoleonic Infantry with the Hussars, American Civil War combatants, Trappers and

Colonials. There were displays of WWI and WWII paraphernalia and several craftsmen,

such as blacksmiths, all creating and plying their wares. Events like these are a fantastic

opportunity to talk to people who have researched history and learn about your heritage and

included the largest private museum collection of Viking and Medieval artefacts in the

Southern Hemisphere.

One of the major drawcard for spectators were the mounted displays on horseback by Nova

Hollandia and D Troop 15th Hussars, which took the form of skill-at-arms events (involving

riders portraying combatants from different eras), jousting, cavalry involvement in battle re-

enactment and the events piece de resistance- a pitched battle between the D Troop Kings

Own 15th Dragoons (Hussars), 42

nd Royal Highland, 95

th Rifle Regiment and the French

Forces consisting of the 21eme de Ligne and Militia force provided by the Blue and the Grey

in a Napoleonic Tour De Force…..

It is 1815. The tyrant and Emperor Napoleon has seen his final defeat at Waterloo and the

Victorious Allied forces are sweeping towards Paris to put the rightful French King back on

the throne. On the battlefield, the remnants of the once mighty French Imperial Armie present

a last ditch defence of a proud Republic. Hungry, weary and with no retreat the French forces

gather together to defend to the last drop of blood.

From the British Army line there now approaches an English vedette, scouts from the main

British force. These two soldiers from 15th

Kings Light Dragoons, noble Hussars, spy the

camp and make maps and notes on the French strength and deployment.

The remnants of the mighty 21eme

regiment de infantry, a proud and well trained regiment of

Line infantry also rally to the defence. They form in line to present their muskets towards the

British soldiers.

On comes the thunder of hooves and 15th Hussars commence a cavalry charge. The French

form a defensive infantry square and the cavalry are forced to retreat been unable to break the

square. The elated the French rejoice while reforming their line and letting loose another

musket volley. And again, on come the gallant English Hussars, but again the French hold

their square forcing the Hussars to retreat in a hail of musket fire. A third time the Hussars

charge the infantry and this time they break the square and the French soldiers and militia

retreat to the safety of their forti cations.

But then, the French Cavalry enter the battle, riding to the aid of their foot soldiers. They line

up to face the Hussars, these brave Frenchmen who fought Blucher in Prussia, Nicholas in the

icy wastes of Russia and Wellington in Spain and Belgium. They charge the Hussars and

there is the clash of sabre on sabre. Equally matched they regroup and then charge again, with

the French Cavalry finally gaining the upper hand.

When defeat seems imminent for the allies there is a sound of gunfire as the British infantry

enter the fray. The French Cavalry charge them and the 95th Rifles, the best shots of the

British army, take aim and fire at the Frenchmen. The brave 42nd

Highland Regiment also

enter the battle and the French Cavalry are routed.

Now the cannon enter the fray, and men are struck down in droves, with the gunners from

both sides reloading and firing again and again. Gunsmoke drifts across the battlefield.

Once the cannons are spent, the 21eme

emerge from behind their fortifications to face the

enemy! The 95th

and the 42nd

begin the march forward to engage the enemy. Each man now

faces volley after volley from enemy muskets. Now with fearful resolve the bullets are

exchanged for bayonets, hot lead gives way to cold steel! On come the British, shoulder to

shoulder. The British reminded of home, of the years of suffering abroad, of home and warm

beds and hope to finally finish this long war with one last push, the French are fighting to

defend their homes, wives and children. At last, however, the desperate defenders give way

and the French wall is breached and France finally falls to the English! Down with Napoleon!

Up with the Union Jack! Up with the King!

This staged battled illustrates what was the last ditch defence of France by a mixture of

soldiery and citizen militia. The might of Napoleon was finally broken, and from that day

forth the French monarchy regained the throne Paris was taken and Napoleon exiled again

never to return.

Re-enactment events like these are an important link to the past- they enable participants to

learn and practice traditional skills like swordplay, military riding and the manufacture of

traditional apparel and gear but they also offer a three dimensional lesson and insight into an

earlier era when life was different and there are lessons to be learnt about honour,

comradeship, chivalry and also- sometimes- the great tragedy of war. They also provide a

living memorial to the brave men (and sometimes women) that fought so hard and valiantly

for the freedoms and liberties we enjoy to this day. They helped, in their way, to create the

future we now live in.

HUSSAR!

Written by Chase Ellis

D Troop 15th Kings Light Dragoons (Hussars)

Honorary Colonel-in-Chief: Bernard Cornwell

Part of the World Wide Cooperative of 15th Hussar Units

www.15thhussars.com www.dtroop15thhussars.com

Competition One

The first time Annie Sweet sees 43

Stanley Road, the house is so perfect she

almost feels as though it has chosen

her. She can’t wait to move in, but with

her husband seeming more distant, and

her daughter wrapped up in her friends

and new school, Annie is left alone to

mull over the past.

She soon becomes consumed by the

house and everyone who has lived there

before her, especially a young chorus girl

called Lily Painter, a rising star of the

music hall whose sparkling performances

were the talk of the town.

As Annie delves further into Lily’s past she begins to unravel a dark episode

from Edwardian London, that of two notorious baby farmers, who lured young

unmarried mothers with the promise of a better life for their babies. Until

Annie solves the mystery at the heart of the scandal, the ghost of Lily Painter

will never be able to rest.

Based on a real period from London’s rich history, Caitlin Davies skilfully

blends fact and fiction to bring to life part of our sinister past. Spanning an

entire century, from the journals of an Edwardian police inspector to a doomed

WW2 love affair, and with a fleet of extraordinary characters, the Ghost of Lily

Painter is an engrossing and poignant novel from a hugely talented writer.

I have 5 copies of this book to give away Visit: http://authors.simonandschuster.co.uk/Caitlin-Davies/46557152 and answer this question: Q: What is the name of the book by Caitlin Davies that was published in September 2009

Send your answer for this month’s competitions along with your full postal

address to: jason.okeefe@btopenworld.com before February 24th

2012 to be in

with a chance of winning!

Book Reviews

BELOVED PILGRIM

Nan Hawthorne, Shield-Wall Books, 2011, $14.35, pb, 284pp, 9780983398509

Set against the vividly realized backdrop of the disastrous crusade of 1101, Hawthorne's

latest medieval historical novel consistently broadens and subverts the very categories it

invokes. This is the story of young noblewoman Elisabeth von Winterkirche, who trains as a

warrior alongside her brother Elias and his squire (and lover) Albrecht—until Elias dies and

Elisabeth is confronted with the normal role of a 12th-century high-born woman: loveless

betrothal and joyless marriage, in her case to a brutish local baron. She opts instead for a

strategy right out of medieval legend (not to mention Shakespeare): she dons her brother's

armor and goes off to the Crusades herself, disguised as a young man.

“Could a woman wield a sword and fight alongside trained knights on destriers?”

Hawthorne asks, then answers (with more personal assurance than historical support), “Of

course she could,” and some of the most entertaining parts of this novel involve Elisabeth

doing just that. But the book's main emphasis is on love, not war: Elisabeth quickly finds that,

like her brother, she's attracted to her own gender. “Love is love,” she declares, “Pleasure is

pleasure. I don't care what anyone says.” Readers who might wonder if things were really that

simple nine centuries ago would do well to remember that Hawthorne is writing fiction—and

quite good fiction at that. -- Steve Donoghue

BEYOND ALL PRICE

Carolyn Poling Schriber, Katzenhaus Books, 2010, $14.95/£9.65, pb, 343pp, 9780982774502

To escape a life of poverty, 23-year-old Nellie Chase volunteers as a nurse with the

100th Pennsylvania Roundhead Regiment during the American Civil War. Although she has

no formal nursing experience, Nellie's character and skills quickly convince Colonel Daniel

Leasure to promote her to regiment matron in charge of assisting doctors and overseeing

other female volunteers. Nellie faithfully serves with the Roundheads until gossip and illness

force her to leave her post. She volunteers for the New York Highlanders and, through a

subsequent series of jobs, eventually becomes head matron of a 600-bed Tennessee hospital.

Based on the actual life of Nellie M. Chase, Beyond All Price is as thoroughly researched

as the gaps in Chase's life permit. Combining facts, historical figures, and quotes from

contemporary documents, the novel reads more like an interesting history than a fast-paced

work of fiction—readers interested in women's roles during the Civil War will enjoy it. --

Laura Lloyd

For other reviews on other books why not visit:

http://www.historicalnovelsociety.org/

Original Artwork by Karen Sarkar

Re-enactor artist Karen Sarkar is currently working on a new project, which celebrates 15th

Century re-enactors and re-enactment. This original and appealing idea features evocative

pencil portraits of various subjects, capturing the essence and enthusiasm of re-enactors.

Karen has recently met with Richard Mackinder, Operations Manager of the Bosworth

Battlefield & Heritage Centre, and arranged an exhibition of this work there next year. The

exhibition will be held over a two week period, including the Bosworth re-enactment weekend

next August. This is likely to preceed a bigger exhibition in 2013, which will also see

publication of a new Bosworth book, endorsed by the Centre, by Karen's re-enactor husband,

the author and professional historian Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS.

Karen is now inviting commissions in oil, pastel and pencil, from re-enactors at very

reasonable prices. It is possible that some of this commissioned work could be included in the

forthcoming exhibitions, brochures and book, and reproduced as prints - thus increasing

interest in and value of the original artworks concerned. Details of prices can be found on

Karen's website: www.karensarkarart.com, or for more information please call the artist

on 01905 420441 .

“Melee” by Karen Sarkar (prints available for purchase)

A New Forum for all

things Pirate!

Meet other Pirates

Event Information

Tall Tales

Traders

Pirate History

Check out the website for

more information!

www.forums.pyrates.co.uk

Archers Review

This is a website, run for and by archers with

a thirst for knowledge. Our extensive

collection of reviews is split in to a number

of sections to make it easy for you to find

what you are interested in

Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real

archers interested in the best archery

suppliers have to offer. In our search for the

very best bow, arrows and equipment we

have shot, used and worn pretty much

everything on offer.

We value feedback from users and suppliers

and are keen to hear from you if you wish to

contact us about anything on the website.

Website: www.archers-review.com

Email: steve@archers-review.com

The

Mortimer History Society

Spring Conference

May 12th

2012

The Earl Mortimer College

Leominster, Herefordshire.

Marc Morris will be hosting a lively

and interactive discussion on King

Edward I, Simon de Montfort & Prince

Llewelyn.

He will be joined by representatives

from historical groups and other

authors to discuss aspects of the three

men.

For more details

www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk

The Festival of History

Kelmarsh Hall

Northamptonshire, UK

July 14th

& 15th

2012

Visitors immerse themselves in 2000

years of England's past during the

Festival of History at Kelmarsh Hall,

Northamptonshire, presented by

English Heritage. The event features

everything from falconry, jousting

displays and battle re-enactments to

music, dance and ale.

The Historical Writers Association

will also be there with various talks

and meet the author sessions

throughout the weekend.

http://www.kelmarsh.com/

Event Information

February

24th

– 26th The International Living Fair, Bruntingthorpe, Lutterworth, Leceistershire, UK

http://www.pikeandshot.com/index-ilhf.html

25th

& 26th

“SWASH”, The Royal Armouries, Leeds, UK

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?ei ... 5050754631

26th

1940s market and entertainments at the Winding Wheel Chesterfield, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

March

3rd

& 4th

Historia Originata, Rheged Centre Penrith, UK

www.historiaoriginata.co.uk

16th

– 18th The Original Re-Enactors Market (TORM) Ryton on Dunsmore, UK, CV8 3FL

http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/

May 6

th & 7

th, Fortress Wales, Margam Copuntry Park, Port Talbot, Wales

http://www.webster.uk.net/HistoryAndCulture/Re-enactmentWW2SWB/FortressWalesShowInformation.aspx

12th

The Mortimer History Society Spring Conference, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK

www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk/

12th

& 13th

Multi-era Grand Historical Bazaar, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts. UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

12th

& 13th

Victorian Weekend, Forge Mill Needle Museum, Redditch, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

12th

&13th The Cressing Temple Fayre, Cressing Temple, UK

www.templars-fayre.co.uk

26th

& 27th

les medievales de CHAUCONIN-NEUFMONTIERS

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241449812568063

June

2nd

& 3rd

De Quaeye Werelt, Sterckshof, Belgium

http://www.delegendevzw.be/

2nd

& 3rd

Chester Roman Festival 2012, Chester, UK

Email: info@romantoursuk.com

9th Boerderij aan de Giessen, Grotewaard 38, Noordeloos, Netherlands

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=158081454283009&notif_t=event_invite

16th

& 17th

Tatton Park Medieval Fair

http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/

23rd

& 24th

Wartime Clumber (1940s event), Clumber Park, Notts, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

23rd

& 24th

The Yorkshire Museum of Farming, Murton Park, Yorkshire, UK

www.mitlivinghistory.co.uk

30th

&1st Medieval Festival, Harewood House, Yorkshire, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

July

14th

& 15th

The Battle of Tewkesbury, Tewkesbury, UK

http://www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/

14th

& 15th

The Festival of History, Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire, UK

http://www.kelmarsh.com/

22nd

The Battle of Salamanca, 200th anniversary

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=183242878392002&notif_t=event_invite

21st & 22

nd Berkeley Skirmish, Berkeley castle, Gloucestershire, UK

http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/

21st & 22

nd The Battle of Azincourt, Azincourt, France.

http://www.azincourt-alliance.org.uk/

28th

& 29th

Tournement of Walraversijde, Belgium

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=252511704798690&notif_t=event_invite

August

10th

– 14th Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood Forest, Notts, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

13th

& 14th

Lincoln Castle Medieval Market, UK

http://www.plantagenet-events.co.uk/Events.html

September

8th & 9

th EMA weekend at Caldicot Castle, wales

http://www.theema.co.uk/

8th & 9

th On the Home Front 1939-45, Rufford Abbey Country Park, Notts, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

15th

& 16th

The Battle of Mortimer’s Cross, Leominster, Herefordshire, UK

www.mortimerscross.co.uk

22nd

& 23rd

Wimpole at War (1940s event), The Wimpole Estate, Cambs, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

29th

& 30th

Sherwood through the Ages multi-period, Sherwood Forest, Nott, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

October

6th & 7

th Hughenden’s Wartime Weekend, Hughenden Manor, Bucks, UK

www.eventplan.co.uk

November

24th

& 25th

The Ludlow Castle Medieval Christmas Fair, Ludlow, Shropshire

http://www.ludlowcastle.com/

Dreamcatcher Review with Tony Angelo

Interview: Katherine Ashe

Tell me a little bit about your life?

I was born in Hollywood where my father was a screenwriter for Cecil B. deMille.

Research fascinated me, My father would tell me fascinating things of the historical

background of the films he was working on -- deMille supplied excellent advisers to his

writers, but they looked upon the advisers as chiefly hampering their stories. (Chief Rain-in-

the-Face, adviser for "Unconquered," was called by the writers "Chief Stick-in-the-Mud.") I

think my love of history comes from what didn't get into my father's films.

When did you start to write?

I began life as a painter. When I was five my parents summoned me to serious conference

in the living room -- I remember this vividly, my little legs and feet were sticking straight out

from the couch. They told me that my ability to draw seemed exceptional and they wanted to

get a proper artists set for me: should it be oils or water colors? I asked what oils were and

they said they were colors done up like toothpaste tubs. I said i would probably get them in

my hair. They got me the oils anyway.

Who Inspires you?

By the age of 18 I was showing in two New York galleries simultaneously: the Braverman

Gallery and the Dorsky gallery, being too naive to know one was supposed to be exclusively

with just one gallery at a time. But not to worry, both galleries went out of business before

my one-person shows were scheduled to open.

Curious about why people would pay so much for a work of art, I stopped painting and turned

to writing books on Chinese art to be able to look at the collecting impulse objectively.

That led me to an interest in China, and in the early 1970s, in the throes of an impulse for

"peace through trade." I researched where China was falling behind in its 5-year programs.

An so it was that I came to found a company to work with Agway to sell quick-frozen bull

sperm to the Inner Mongolian Grasslands Institute. Unfortunately, the Chinese embraced the

idea, but contacted the Texas Cattle Breeders Association, which was rather better known in

the business than I was.

After a fine art print publishing business of mine was perfectly timed to the collapse of the

fine art print market, I turned back to writing books. Licking my wounds over the demise of

my fine art company, I was writing a book about fairies when, in the course of my research

about Salisbury Cathedral, which was consecrated in 1258, I discovered Simon de Montfort.

That began a project of writing that has lasted from 1977 to the present.

During those 34 years I also wrote plays, screenplays, and then radio plays for my own radio

theater company, Jefferson Radio Theater, which was funded with state grant money, with

production through public radio stations WJFF and WVIA.

What are you working on now?

My current aim is to get The Fairy Garden into print at last. But I've also begun research

for a sequel to Montfort, on Edward I and, possibly, Simon's son, Guy de Montfort.

Amazing live, thanks for sharing it with me and all of our readers .

Tony Angelo Taliaferro

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Virtuoso Books and

Dreamcatcher Multimedia

Vice President of Marketing MLR Publishers

Need a book publisher, editor,

distributor or an e-Book converter?

: write www.mlrpublishers.com

www.vivirtuosobooks.com or

www.dreamcatchermultimedia.com

www.tonyangelowriter.com