Website update - 15th Century Kit guide added

New content added to website - see "Kit Guide" links from "Join us" page.
Thanks to Martyn & Miranda for their hard work in sourcing the references and compiling the guide.

Warwick Castle - Easter 2010

Great to be back at Warwick again after a whole year.  Despite unkind weather, we had a busy weekend and were pleased to welcome new members Paul, Eve, Carl and Steve, as well as welcoming back old friends Will, Lu and Kelly.

Thanks to Louis for the photographs.  Never seen the camp from this angle before!

Horses Boreas and Contessa were as excited as we were to be at their first event of the year, and once again proved very popular with the visitors. 

 Now looking forward to the next event at Lincoln - WHERE WE WILL HAVE SUNSHINE!!

New website content added

Dates for 2010 events now on the events page.

Basic information for anyone interested in joining on the "Join us" link.

Blore Heath 550th Anniversary Event - 19th-20th September 2009

The last event of the year was truly a memorable one as the weather was the best it has been all year.  Something strange was afoot -From the mystery of the disappearing awning peg to Martyns disappearing Sunday.

We all showed strutted our funky stuff on the Saturday night 70's disco although Ben claimed not to know any of the songs as all the music was before his time!

As for camp activities, truly a general wind down, with cooking and sewing the activities for the ladies and and the final burning of Kev and Gary's off-cuts.

Ben, true to fashion fought heroically on the battle field to a glorious victory!.

Now looking forward to some nice, clean, warm, indoor social events over the winter!

Old Sarum - August 2009

This was an enjoyable event in a pleasant location. Living history groups from a range of periods were present - Romans, Normans, Medieval, Redcoats, WWII.

Livery and Maintenance staged two short arena displays each day, and the remaining time was spent in camp. The horses were,as always, a popular attraction with the visitors.


There was plenty of time to demonstrate crafts such as leatherwork, rushwork and heddle weaving.

Jousting at the Ponderosa Farm (Battle of Wakefield)

As promised, pictures of the Joust at Wakefield. This was a contest between John Nesfield and Steve Morris jousting as the Welsh Knight.

In the first leg of the contest on Saturday the Welsh Knight triumphed,
by 6 breaks to 4.

On Sunday, the contest was again hard fought. When John Nesfield was leading at 6 breaks to 5 he sportingly offered the skilful Welsh Knight the chance to equalise.







The final score...........7-5 to John Nesfield.

Speaking after the event John Nesfield said in true medieval style "This was the best buzz I have ever had from Jousting. It made all the hours of training worth while. It was an honour and a privelege to come up against Steve, and I would like to think we will cross lances again."

With thanks to photographer J. Goddard, who holds the copyright for the photographs in this post.

Battle of Wakefield, August 2009

A busy event for the equestrian contingent. John Nesfield was victorious in the joust on the Sunday - pictures to follow. There was a strong challenge, however, from Captain Ben on the Nesfield patented horse simulator.

The competitive theme continued as the gentlemen of the camp whiled away the day in gambling - here shown playing nine men's morris. Where did they get all that money from?

Various activities were demonstrated in camp including rush plaiting, maille making and fingerloop braiding.

Ickworth Medieval Spectacular

A most enjoyable event. Ickworth is a beautiful location with an interesting house, gardens and extensive grounds.

The weather was variable, but thanks to our lovely new awning we were able to cook, eat and socialise under cover. Much re-pegging of tents!

The visitors were not deterrred, however, and the camp was well attended. The horses were a particular attraction.

It was good to meet and recruit three new members.

Looking forward to the next event!

A fishy tale

John Nesfield's Retinue recipe for Salmon in Salt Dough:


First catch your salmon, clean and gut it!

Off with his head! (you can leave it on, but ours wouldn't fit on the fire with his head on).

Stuff with breadcrumbs, a good handful of fennel leaves, parsley & chives. Add a few slices of lemon if available. Add plenty of black pepper. Mix with as much white wine as it takes to bind the stuffing together.


Find a volunteer to drink the leftover wine.









Make a dough with flour, salt and water. 2 parts flour to 1 part salt, enough water to bind.

Roll out the dough and encase the salmon. Seal the joins carefully with water.

Bake over the fire - we think it should have gone directly into the ashes to cook, but as our firewood was big and difficult to burn, (and it kept raining) we put the salmon on the rack over the fire.



Once the dough has hardened, turn over to cook the other side.


This took at least 2 people with fire proof fingers.

(Our salmon took about 2 1/2 hours to cook through, obviously this would depend on the size of the salmon, thickness of the dough and the heat of the fire).

When cooked, the salt dough is removed - DON'T EAT IT. Remove the backbone and enjoy the flesh.

As you can see, the dough gets very burnt, but the salmon inside stays lovely and moist, and all the flavours are sealed in. Sadly it was all eaten before we could get a photo!


Mmmmm.............Highly recommended.

Easter at Warwick Castle

The first event of Nesfield's year took place at Warwick Castle, over the Easter Bank Holiday. Despite typical English Easter weather a good time was had by all.



Horses Connie and Boris looked splendid, as did their various riders.







A hearty feast was prepared including a whole salmon stuffed with herbs and wine, baked in salt dough over the fire.

Next event:16th-17th May Medieval Ickworth Spectacular Ickworth House, Nr. Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk; where we hope the sun will come out!