|
| • |
 |
an you string a bow or handle a sword? We're always on the look out for keen new recruits to join the men of the Bill-line. |
|
| • |
 |
o you have a craft? Authentic craftspeople are encouraged to join our living history displays. |
|
| • |
|
o you have a character? Are you a story-teller, a barber-surgeon or a nun? Put all that research to good use and live your character. |
The Company Ecorcheur is always looking for new members. All are welcome - assuming you have an interest in the medieval period. Our recruiting season generally runs from September - April (our winter season).
• Location
 he Company Ecorcheur was originally Midlands based, but in reality our members come from all over the country: Wales, Plymouth, Bristol, Gloucester (of course!) and the North.
During the winter season, we train regularly at Swanshurst Leisure Centre in King's Heath, Birmingham (map link) . New recruits are encouraged to attend as many of these Sunday training sessions as possible - this enables us to get to know you, and vice-versa. It also gives us the opportunity to ensure our equipment and clothing meets our high authenticity standards before our busy season begins.
Check our diary page for details of training sessions.
The shows we attend are also largely Midlands based, but we also travel throughout the UK. Recent shows have seen us in Yorkshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.
Membership is £12 per year for adults, which includes liability insurance and membership of our blanket groups, The Federation of the Wars of the Roses, and Livery & Maintenance - plus lots of other benefits.. All we ask in return is a good standard of authenticity, your enthusiasm, and to see you at as many events as possible.
|
|
• Martial Training: We train combatants regularly to take part in safe and exciting full-contact combat with rebated (blunt) weapons. The troops are regularly drilled, too, so that they can march and fight as a single block. We also have a number of experienced sword fighters and a seperate "school" for studying authentic medieval combat techniques from Talhoffer to Fiore di Liberi.
Full training will be provided to combatants to enable you to fight safely and still have fun... our period is one of the few "full-contact" re-enactment styles so learning how to fight effectively but without injury is essential. We have an excellent skill base, and many years of combat experience to learn from. We have a decent stock of swords and pole weapons for you to use. Many of our members have spare weapons to loan to new members on a "you break it, you replace it!" basis.
|
|
• Living History: Despite a focus on the military side of C15th life, The Company Ecorcheur welcomes any craftspeople who wish to practice their trade. Many of our members double-up in their roles and have some authentic skills to demonstrate when "off duty". Our substantial encampment and array of period equipment can accomodate most small scale crafts, from brewing and cookery to white-metal casting and surgery. We will offer our full support to anyone who wants to learn a craft or skill to enhance our repertoire.
|
|
What do I need?
• Enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in the fifteenth century are ideal attributes!
• Amateur dramatics? Storytelling? Fencing? All these and more are most welcome!
• Do you have a medieval craft you'd like to show off? Educate & Entertain with The Company Ecorcheur!
As for the sort of equipment you need, there follows a brief "rough guide" to the sort of equipment you will need to think about before your first "proper" show. However, we do have a selection of Society "loan" equipment and many of our members have spare kit they are happy to loan too, which will help offset some of the costs as you find your feet. Of course, help & advice from our existing members is free!
See How much does it cost? for more info.
| Everybody: |
There are just a few things that aren't necessary but are nice for anybody to have. A platter, bowl, knife, spoon and drinking vessel can usually be provided, but it is nice to have your own. Most people would have carried a simple eating knife, and some sort of pouch or script-bag (like a shoulder bag) as well.
On an 'out-of-character' level, if you are attending weekend events, it is necessary to bring a sleeping bag (unless you want to be ultra-authentic and sleep in a hedge!). Remember - you will be sleeping in a tent (communal tents are provided), probably in a field, and most likely with very basic facilities, so it would be advisable to have a groundsheet or camp-bed, too. Food is usually provided unless the event is small or local enough, but I have personally found a cool-box in the car useful for beer!
We have our own encampment with tents and cooking range, and your meals at most major shows will be provided. After a few years most people (especially families) tend to amass enough equipment for their own camping needs. However, if you're really keen, feel free to buy your own authentic tent too, but be prepared to pay upwards of £500! "Plastic" tents can sometimes be used depending on venue - but most of the time you will need to take modern tents down during the daytime, and put them up again when the public have left the site.
|
| |
Ladies: |
• Shift
• Stockings
• Kirtle (dress)
• Gown (to go over your kirtle - not absolutely necessary, but you'll be glad if it turns cold!)
• Shoes/boots
• Headwear - a coif or 'rabbit' (a rabbit is a colloquial name for a length of linen wrapped & tied around the head to cover your hair)
• Belt.
|
| |
| Gentlemen: |
• Shirt
• Hose and pourpoint (to hold up your hose)
• Doublet
• Coat (again, not absolutely necessary, but you'll be glad if it turns cold!)
• Shoes/boots
• Hat or coif (it is customary for medieval man to cover his head at all times, even at dinner)
• Belt.
If you intend to take part in combat or practice, you will also need a pair of sturdy leather gloves, a jack (padded doublet) and a steel helmet (the group has a collection of helmets, and a few jacks, for new members to borrow). These are the minimum requirements for safety legislation!
|
| |
| Children: |
For children aged about 5 - 16 the mode of dress is simply smaller versions of the above, but (parents will be glad to know) without a need for knives and helmets! We have a number of families in our group who are willing to advise, assist, and sell-on "outgrown" costume. Smaller sizes usually means slightly cheaper pricing, too, depending upon size and complexity.
|
|
Check out our Diary Page for details of forthcoming markets.
|
|
How much does it cost?
 eople often think of re-enactment as an expensive hobby, but when compared to many other hobbies it doesn't seem so bad. Paying £175 for a sword might seem a lot, until you compare that to a decent tennis racquet or a quality golf club at £200+. However, your biggest expense will probably be clothing, and especially shoes. Many new recruits borrow shoes from other members until they get hooked!
There follows some approximate prices for equipment. Obviously these prices are meant as a guide only, so please don't try to use them as a bargaining tool when dealing with traders! The quality of material, size, the amount of work & time, and the urgency of your order can make huge differences to price - remember, most (if not all) of the kit we recommend is hand made. Sometimes, traders will offer discounts for big orders. Some "approved" suppliers and traders can be found on our Suppliers Page. These are traders we know to be of decent quality and who can offer honest advice regarding authenticity.
If you can sew (or know someone who can), a lot of the clothing is fairly easy to make at home. Remember - 400 years ago most garments were made in just this way if you weren't rich. Designs are fairly straight forward and patterns are available if required. Materials are generally linen and plain wool (no fancy patterns!), and handstitching a garment (or at the very least having visible stitching done by hand) is essential for authenticity. As you become more involved in the period, you will develop a keen eye for what looks right and what doesn't.
The re-enactors markets & fairs (see the diary page) are a great place to do some Medieval Power-Shopping, and haggle over big purchases. They are usually arranged outside of the re-enactment season. There will also be chances throughout the season to buy equipment and place orders through our network of traders.
| Approximate price guide* |
| † Means the item is very easy to make yourself. |
| General Kit |
Military Kit |
• Pottery mug: £4 - £5
• Pottery tankard: £6 - £7
• Wooden plate/bowl: £6 - £10
• Horn spoon: £5
• Pewter spoon: £7
• Eating knife: £15 - £35
• Belt: £15
• Pouch (to put on belt): £20 - £45
• Linen Script-bag: £15 †
• Leather Script-bag: £35
• Purse: £15
• Pilgrim badges (for decoration): £5 - £15
• Pattens (wooden overshoes to keep your feet dry): £40 |
• Helmet: £250
• Jack (padded coat - basic armour): £250
• Breastplate: £280
• Small hanging sword (rebated for combat): £150
• Single handed sword (sharp, for display only): £350
• Arming sword (rebated): £200
• Dagger (rebated): £65
• Dagger (sharp): £75
• Buckler (small shield): £35
• Mitten Gauntlets: £150
• Bill, spear or halberd: £45
• Longbow: £120+, Arrows: £5 - £15 each.
• Mail shirt: £250 |
|
| Ladies |
Gentlemen |
• Shift: £30 †
• Stockings: £30 (usually made to measure)
• Buckled garters: £15
• Kirtle: £45 - £65
• Gown: £100 - £200
• Shoes: £65 - £100
• Coif (head covering): £15 †
• Rabbit (linen cloth): £7 †
• Apron: £10 † |
• Shirt: £15 - £30 †
• Hose: £45 (usually made to measure)
• Pourpoint (to hold up your hose): £35
• Doublet: £50 - £100
• Knee Length Coat: £100 - £200
• Shoes: £80 - £150
• Boots: £150 - £250
• Hat: £20 †
• Coif (head covering): £15 † |
|
• A note on pricing: The prices here are minimums - you can pay at least three or four times these prices if you want really good museum-quality kit from the best makers. There are cheaper alternatives available for most things (like spun-metal helmets, or cotton-blend fabrics) but these are respectively unsafe or of dubious authenticity and definitely discouraged. The use of unsafe combat equipment is strictly prohibited. If in doubt ask - or you may be wasting money! One of our existing members will be only too happy to meet you at Markets to help advise on purchases, or to recommend suitable traders.
|
|
Who do I speak to?
 f you would like to join our society, your first step should be to contact our Membership Secretary* who will be able to answer any questions you have that are not covered by this site. Alternatively, if you're coming to visit us at one of our shows feel free to approach any member of the group and say hello.
* NB: Keep an eye open for anti-spam measures, usually an email response which you'll need to "activate" - you'd be amazed how much rubbish this keeps out!
We only usually accept new members during the "off season" from October to March as it becomes quite difficult to catch up with us in our main events season (usually running from April to September). We also insist that new members attend as many of the Sunday Training sessions as possible - these are not only for safety training for combatants, but a forum for crafts, living history ideas and costume advice.
Anyone can visit us at our Sunday Training sessions. There is no charge for coming along to say hello!
|
|
