Dark Ages reenactment
Encyclopedia
Dark Ages reenactment is generally considered a sub-branch of Medieval reenactment
focussing on the 1st millennium
AD beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire
and ending with the High Middle Ages
.
The term 'Dark Ages' is much used. Some groups define it as the period between the collapse of the Roman Empire
, and the establishment of the main European Christian kingdoms - approx 400 - 750 AD (CE), whereas others include the Viking period as well (extending as far as 1066 AD). Some people call the later half of this period 'Early Medieval'.
Most reenactment groups focus on a smaller time period, sometimes restricting their interest to a particular century, or even a specific decade, depending on how authentic the reenactment and encampment is intended to be. Typically Dark Ages reenactment groups focus on a specific time period and culture within this range, such as Vendel Age Vikings or the Picts
.
The largest Dark Age event in the UK is the Battle of Hastings
Reenactment
.
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...
focussing on the 1st millennium
1st millennium
File:1st millennium montage.png|From left, clockwise: Depiction of Jesus, the central figure in Christianity; The Colosseum, a landmark of the once Roman Empire; Gunpowder is invented during the latter part of the millennium, in China; Chess, a new board game, takes on popularity across the globe;...
AD beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and ending with the High Middle Ages
High Middle Ages
The High Middle Ages was the period of European history around the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries . The High Middle Ages were preceded by the Early Middle Ages and followed by the Late Middle Ages, which by convention end around 1500....
.
The term 'Dark Ages' is much used. Some groups define it as the period between the collapse of the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
, and the establishment of the main European Christian kingdoms - approx 400 - 750 AD (CE), whereas others include the Viking period as well (extending as far as 1066 AD). Some people call the later half of this period 'Early Medieval'.
Most reenactment groups focus on a smaller time period, sometimes restricting their interest to a particular century, or even a specific decade, depending on how authentic the reenactment and encampment is intended to be. Typically Dark Ages reenactment groups focus on a specific time period and culture within this range, such as Vendel Age Vikings or the Picts
Picts
The Picts were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Mediaeval people living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland. There is an association with the distribution of brochs, place names beginning 'Pit-', for instance Pitlochry, and Pictish stones. They are recorded from before the Roman conquest...
.
The largest Dark Age event in the UK is the Battle of Hastings
Battle 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...
Reenactment
Battle of Hastings reenactment
The Battle of Hastings reenactment is a yearly reenactment of the Battle of Hastings, held at Battle Abbey in Battle, East Sussex, UK, and drawing participants from around the world...
.
See also
- Medieval reenactmentMedieval reenactmentMedieval 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...
- The Vikings (reenactment)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 :...
- Regia AnglorumRegia AnglorumRegia 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...
- Vikings! Of Middle EnglandVikings! Of Middle England-Overview of Organisation:Vikings of Middle England is a UK based, non-commercial, non-political organisation founded in 1991 with the aim of reenacting, with live steel combat and living history, the 'Dark Age' period between 793 AD and 1100 AD...