I popped over to Tatton Park today, where my old re-enactment society (Regia Anglorum) had a few people putting on a small demonstration at a 'viking day'. Unlike the big national shows they put on, this was just one of the regional groups doing the show. They had plenty of civilians, but were a litle short of warriors, nevertheless they put on a decent display.

Here we see an armoured, professional warrior, dealing with a troublesome peasant. The peasant, technical term "squishie" because of what they do when you hit them, is taking evasive action to dodge the sword coming over his shield, threatening to take his head off.

Fighting in Regia is unscripted, whoever fights best and gets the killing blow in, wins. This makes for much more interest, both for the fighters and the public. I fought out on the battlefield for about 6 years, though I haven't done any since 2000 due to feelings of getting too old to fight the young bloods (and getting too tired fighting in hot sun, wearing 60 lbs of kit). If anybody had offered to lend me some kit today though, I would have been only too happy to get stuck in ! Maybe I should rejoin :-)

Comments are always welcome. Thanks.