Traditional English Summer.

Victorians in the rain

Last weekend we paid a visit to Broadlands, where there was a multi-period historical re-enactment weekend going on. As you can see, the weather was absolutely ideal for a British summer’s day out.

As it turned out the Victorian Redcoats didn’t have to shelter for very long, but it was certainly very wet while it lasted!

Professor Leonidas C. Grymm and his Mermaid

This is Professor Leonidas C. Grymm, and his Mermaid. He represented part of Grymm Tooms Travelling Museum, which I very much enjoyed. The gentleman above represents a Victorian explorer and collector, and he told us about various famous collections and artifacts. His colleague, Doctor Lazarus Tooms, demonstrates a history of the advancements made in medicine, including surgery and anatomy.

I only took a few photos – partly because of the rain, and partly because I accidentally became increasingly laden with shopping as the afternoon wore on. I picked up two large felt hat blanks for steaming into shape (one black, one bright pink), and was very restrained at the fabric stall. I came away with just five metres of a lovely woven wool fabric in cream and brown, with a little blue spot running through the diamond pattern. That will be perfect for a pair of trousers and a jacket, and I rather wish I’d bought some more!

Living History

Civil War

A couple of weekends ago we went to see the Fairfax Battalion putting on a Civil War re-enactment at Mapledurham. As always, I took a bunch of photos.

We spent a long time chatting to the barber-surgeon, and I was surprised to find out about some of the more delicate operations that could be done at that time. (Paul took some photos of the surgical instruments.)

Civil War

When we got home, Paul immediately looked up how much it would cost to buy a match rifle. As you do. Aside from the pesky matter of needing a firearms license, I’m not totally convinced that the lure of a big gun outweighs the requirement to wear the silly trousers that go with it. We’ll see.

We’re planning to go to a few more re-enactment events over the summer. There’s a military history event at Reigate Hill and Gatton Park, a multi-period event at Broadlands, and a 1940s weekend at the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre. Hopefully Paul won’t come home from that one with a desperate urge to drive a tank!