Ballads, blood-letting, and barging into proceedings – where better to spread our love of history than at HistFest 2024 at the British Library?
A detachment of The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote stationed themselves at this fantastic event 13-14 April, kicking things off by ‘interrupting’ the first panel of the event – ‘How To Survive a Tudor and Stuart Court’, hosted by author and comedian Charlie Higson. Captain Kightley and Pikeman Rose barged in to warn the attendees against engaging in any Royalist conspiracies – especially as they were congregated at ‘Kings Cross’! It seemed to work, slight mix-up with a shopping list notwithstanding…
Inbetween the fascinating talks, we ‘entertained’ everyone with an authentic ballad singer peddling his wares far away from the authorities in London (in the 17th Century, Kings Cross was a rural area far away from the city), singing Broadside Ballads such as ‘Old England Grown New’ and ‘Love Will Find Out A Way’.
Our barber surgeon, Mr Graham, revealed the grim realities of 17th Century warfare by explaining how to heal musketball wounds, avoid infection, and cure any ill with a simple blood letting!
And throughout the weekend we showed our passion for history and love or reenacting, encouraging attendees to don the redcoat and pledge to fight for the privileges of Parliament!
What a great event – a huge thank you to everyone who chatted to us and enjoyed our performances, and especially to event organiser Rebecca Rideal for inviting us to be a part of such a fanatstic weekend!
@english.civil.war Bringing history alive at #Histfest at @British Library was amazing – such a privilege to be invited and see such passion for history! From our barber surgeon explaining rough and ready medical care for musketball wounds to our ballad seller peddling his wares via song, we had a fantastic time! #lovehistory #englishcivilwar #reenactment #historytok #historybuff #history
Video by Mike Graham
Video by Louise Morrish
Photos by Michael Molcher, Mike Graham, Emma Rose-McHale & Katherine Corr