Amazing people, amazing places — we’re still buzzing from our very own ‘regimental summer holiday’ in Pembrokeshire!
Thanks to our friends Lord Saye & Sele’s Blew Regiment of Foote, we’ve been able to enjoy not just a great reenactment but also a little holiday with some of our favourite people. Everything kicked off with two days at Pembroke Castle, one of Wales’ most impressive castles…
Having been one of the rare pro-Parliamentarian bastions in Wales during the first civil war of 1642-6, the town was instead besieged by Oliver Cromwell during the brief second civil war of 1648 after the town’s mayor John Poyer, angry and disillusioned after being accused of fraud despite holding the area for Parliament at his own expense, declared for the King. When the castle capitulated after an eight-week siege, it was ‘slighted’ by blowing up the main gatehouse and Poyer was found guilty and sentenced to death for the rebellion, along with General Rowland Laugharne and Rice Powell. It was decided that only one man should die and lots were drawn to see which one of the three men it would be. The unlucky man was Poyer and he was shot at Covent Garden in London on 25 April 1649.
So what an amazing venue for a weekend of reenacting!
Whether climbing the vertiginous main keep or descending the stairs to The Wogan cave, we loved exploring the castle, just as much as the public do. On the Saye and Sele’s living history camp our members took on the roles of weavers, gamblers, tapsters, apothecaries, soldiers, and civilians for two days of fun and education, not to mention our fully working mobile forge, which pumped out fishing hooks, nails, and even meat skewers for the cooking tent! And there was, of course, the chance for a little fight, with our troops attacking the castle on both days with the weekend seeing an eventual one-all draw!
And, of course, we couldn’t resist a little social media fun in such a great setting…
@english.civil.war Such LOOKS! Such STYLE! So ATTRACTIVE! And that’s just the castle! 😉 We’re still recovering from our weekend at Pembroke Castle in Wales, supporting our friends in Lord Saye & Sele’s Blew Regiment of Foote. Just an unbelievable event in a stunning setting – we crafted, we fought, we educated, we laughed, we larked about, and – most importantly – we bought the past to life for an appreciative and attentive audience of locals and tourists. It’s such an amazing castle, full of Civil War history and fantastic views. What a privilege to be able to be there and then gather back at the campsite for evenings of socialising, drinks, board games, and friendship as the sun went down. It was also great to enjoy a few days of extra camping, allowing us to enjoy a regimental holiday together, sampling all that Pembrokeshire has to offer – beaches, views, fine beer, and even some crazy golf! As one of our members said, we’ll be talking about this one for many years to come! Thanks to the organisers Andy and Charlotte, and everyone else who helped make it a time we’ll never forget! #Reenactment #Pembroke #Pembrokeshire #Wales #SealedKnot @The Sealed Knot @PembrokeCastleTrust
Once each day was over, we retired to our campsite in the village of Sageston (just a short walk from the equally impressive Carew Castle!) for evenings of socialising at The Plough, who generously allowed us to colonise their grounds and their bar! Everyone had an incredible time and there’s no better advert for being a member of the Sealed Knot than free camping in such a spectacular landscape, with the unique privilege of reenacting history on the exact same place it happened.
But that wasn’t all — we were very fortunate that our hosts had arranged for extended camping, so those of us who were able got to enjoy a few extra days of socialising, visiting beaches, playing games, and larking about — and we even managed to squeeze in some archery and crazy gold at the legendary Heatherton World of Activities! There aren’t many better places for holiday than Pembrokeshire and we made sure it was one to remember…
@english.civil.war Welcome to the BEST holiday with the BEST people! What better way to follow a great weekend of reenacting at Pembroke Castle than a regimental holiday, thanks to a few days of extended camping kindly laid on by our good friends in Lord Saye & Sele’s Blew Regiment of Foote! The ‘real’ world melted away as we enjoyed glorious days of sunshine, beaches, boars games, pubs, meals, and hours sat chatting away the night away under the awning in the gorgeous Pembrokeshire countryside. What a wonderful holiday with our reenactment family, what a privilege and a blessing! Our only sadness is that we all have to go home! But here’s to many more fun times in fields with our favourite people. #Reenactment #SealedKnot #Family #Pembrokeshire #Wales @The Sealed Knot
What an absolute joy to spend this time with our big reenactment family — we return to “real” life refreshed and reinvigorated and ready to do it all again! Roll on August Bank Holiday weekend!
There’s still time to join us and experience a weekend like this for yourself this summer — you could be taking part for as little as £10, with your kit provided! Message us now and you could: