Medieval Siege Society
Encyclopedia
The Medieval Siege Society is a British
Living history
and Combat reenactment
association dedicated to costumed reenactment
of Siege warfare, Combat reenactment
and events surrounding the history known as the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses
(circa 1350-1490). Apart from reenactment, it is also involved in research into the history of the period, and education (at the school or college level) about the same.
The Medieval Siege Society frequently performs at heritage sites around the UK and beyond, The Medieval Siege Society was formed in 1993 by a group of re-enactors and archers with an interest in Medieval reenactment
and Living History
. The society is now the largest Wars of the Roses
re-enactment group in the UK.
(Isle of Wight
), Hedingham Castle
, Dover Castle
and England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle
.
They are also very active in recreating battles from the Wars of the Roses and have been heavily involved in the 1469 Edgecote Moor and 1461 2nd St Albans Commerations
, the Battlefields Trust hosted a conference on the battle, close to the battle site. This featured authentic recreations from The Medieval Siege Society, a guided tour of the battlefield, and culminated in a Requiem Mass for the fallen at St Saviours Church conducted by Father Peter Wadsworth.
In March 2011, the Society was awarded "Best Educational Display" at the British Leisure Show, a national showcase for the leisure industry.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Living history
Living history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
and Combat reenactment
Combat reenactment
Combat reenactment is a side of historical reenactment which aims to depict historical forms of combat. This may refer to either single combat, melees involving small groups, or nearly full-scale battles with hundreds of participants....
association dedicated to costumed reenactment
Historical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
of Siege warfare, Combat reenactment
Combat reenactment
Combat reenactment is a side of historical reenactment which aims to depict historical forms of combat. This may refer to either single combat, melees involving small groups, or nearly full-scale battles with hundreds of participants....
and events surrounding the history known as the Hundred Years War and the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
(circa 1350-1490). Apart from reenactment, it is also involved in research into the history of the period, and education (at the school or college level) about the same.
The Medieval Siege Society frequently performs at heritage sites around the UK and beyond, The Medieval Siege Society was formed in 1993 by a group of re-enactors and archers with an interest in Medieval 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...
and Living History
Living History
Living History is the autobiography of Secretary of State, former United States Senator from New York, and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, published in 2003....
. The society is now the largest Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
re-enactment group in the UK.
Events
The Medieval Siege Society are an active society who take part in a number of events over the season, including Appuldurcombe HouseAppuldurcombe House
Appuldurcombe House is the shell of a large 18th-century baroque country house of the Worsley family. The house is situated near to Wroxall on the Isle of Wight....
(Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
), Hedingham Castle
Hedingham Castle
Hedingham Castle in Essex, England, is a Norman motte and bailey castle with a stone keep. For four centuries it was the primary seat of the de Vere family, Earls of Oxford.-Description:...
, Dover Castle
Dover Castle
Dover Castle is a medieval castle in the town of the same name in the English county of Kent. It was founded in the 12th century and has been described as the "Key to England" due to its defensive significance throughout history...
and England’s Medieval Festival at Herstmonceux Castle
Herstmonceux Castle
Herstmonceux Castle is a brick-built Tudor castle near Herstmonceux, East Sussex, United Kingdom. From 1957 to 1988 its grounds were the home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory...
.
They are also very active in recreating battles from the Wars of the Roses and have been heavily involved in the 1469 Edgecote Moor and 1461 2nd St Albans Commerations
550th Anniversary of the 2nd Battle of St Albans
On 26th & 27th February 2011 to commemorate the 550th anniversary year of the Second Battle of St AlbansSecond Battle of St Albans
The Second Battle of St Albans was a battle of the English Wars of the Roses fought on 17 February, 1461, at St Albans. The army of the Yorkist faction under the Earl of Warwick attempted to bar the road to London north of the town. The rival Lancastrian army used a wide outflanking manoeuvre to...
, the Battlefields Trust hosted a conference on the battle, close to the battle site. This featured authentic recreations from The Medieval Siege Society, a guided tour of the battlefield, and culminated in a Requiem Mass for the fallen at St Saviours Church conducted by Father Peter Wadsworth.
Awards
Units from the Society have won a number of top prizes for "Best Living History" at England's Medieval Festival.In March 2011, the Society was awarded "Best Educational Display" at the British Leisure Show, a national showcase for the leisure industry.