Traquair Medieval Fayre 2009

Now normally I would be on the other side of the ropes but a knee injury and a bout of clinical depression saw me drift away from the re-enactment scene - I haven't picked up a sword in about 2 years, which is a sad state of affairs.

However, I knew that my mates from my (lapsed membership of) re-enactment society The Northmen (www.northmen.org.uk) were performing over both days of the Fayre held at Traquair House, near Innerleithen in Scotland.

This was too good an excuse to get the landrover wheels dusty, fire up the K20D and head down to Innerleithen via one of my favourite runs - the B709 from Heriot on the A7 - right through a fantastic sheep infested valley (a truncated glacial valley methinks). A brilliant route - with rough camping spots and a cyclists dream - 13 miles downhill (trust me, I cycle-camped that route once).

On the left, Andrew of The Northmen during the parade.

I was a bit rusty with the K20D having not got out much with it this year (and truth be told I am still to master it having only got it in December) - so that, using legacy manual focus lenses as I was too far away from the action for my fav 16-45mm, horrendous bright sunshine, and the crowd being determined to get in my way at every opportunity made for a difficult shoot as my stuffed up exposures will testify!. Enjoyable nonetheless.

On the right, Phil & Rob of The Northmen.

Robert of The Northmen leads the Parade as King James IV's Herald

As one has come to expect of The Northmen, they put on some excellent displays of weaponry skill and, more importantly, delivered some entertaining fights for the large crowd.

Gary shows the speed and power of the much-maligned staff

The humble staff - about all a conscripted working man would be able to afford, is often laughed at during battle re-enactments, often combatants refuse to even acknowledge a 'hit' from this weapon. However, it is a much more accurate weapon of the period - you just would NOT see common foot-soldiers wielding swords - at best they would have pikes, staffs, axes & hatchets (I use the 'excuse' that I earned my own sword by protecting my commander bravely during battle and being allowed to retrieve one item from the spoils recovered from the field of battle after a victory!). It also would just as effectively break bones, deflect sword strikes and prove very effective at keeping one's enemy at bay given it's length and range.


But, anachronism's aside - we all know the crowds come to watch Swords, Shields and Armour clash together!

A Knight and lightly-armoured footsoldier fight for the King's Honour!
(Knight equipped with buckler, pike and longword)

NB: Exposure stuffed up by yours truly, not the K20D!

Gary & Chris do a long-sword demo


Chris prepares to wallop Gary during a free-form fight which was very entertaining

So it was a fun day out and I got to experience these events from the other side of the rope. If you get a decent view the fights are more enjoyable to watch than I had expected from being a participant, but I'm now seriously hankering to return to the battlefield!

The K20D performed well although I learned 3 things - 1 - rtfm! 2 - despite normally shooting wide, I need a fast long-range zoom & 3 - don't move once you have a decent shooting position.

Jarvis - my SIIa was a joy again with the big perkins lump upfront proving frugal even on twisty, challenging B roads. Oh, and the ice cream we had in Innerleithen was just amazing!

Oh, and a final note for the re-enacter that growled me out for taking a small short-cut through camp. Yes, that's frowned upon, Yes, I completely forgot I was in civvies and should NOT have cut through the camp, but NO - that type of aggressive, arrogant and almost abusive approach to a member of the public will do nothing for the re-enactment scene - and not one of The Northmen would ever speak to a member of the public in anything other than a cordial and friendly manner - even if explaining the dangers of the encampment.