Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I re-enact?
You can re-enact any culture or peoples who had contact with the Byzantine Empire between the 9th and 13th centuries. This can include Byzantine, Viking, Turkish, Mongol, Norman, Saxon… it is quite an extensive range of cultures and peoples.
Can you help me choose what to be?
Many members have books with pictures that you can look through at training and/or borrow for home. We recommend you look for the type of things you like and would enjoy wearing or using in your re-enactment. Then talk to us! We can help by recommending the rest of your armour or costume around a single item so that your outfit belongs to a single culture which will help you look your best.
Don’t I need lots of money to join?
The amount of money required is dependant on the type of equipment you would like to have, however as a beginner you must remember that most of our members have collected their equipment over a number of years and you are not expected to acquire everything you want/need at once.
To begin combat training you may wear only a padded gambeson while you look at the type of armour you want and can afford. This can be made for as little as $30-40 if you are willing to do it yourself. You could also start off with a spear or axe which can also cost under $50 instead of a sword which can cost a lot more. Then the skills you learn from your basic training will apply to sword if you choose to acquire one later.
Most of our members (which include students and single parents!) would not consider themselves to have much money, however we look out for sales, share and help each other and utilise the barter system to enrich our re-enactment.
Doesn’t learning how to use a weapon encourage violence?
In our experience it is just the opposite. Along with combat techniques our training encourages responsibility and respect for self and others, honour, pride, chivalry, confidence, and discipline as with any other martial art.
What Happens at a Training Night?
Look at the training night page to see the answer!
