What Is Living History?
Living History is the re-creation of another time period in the present. It is more than a fancy-dress costume party, somewhat more than experimental archaeology, more than just battle recreation and more than camping in funny tents. Living History is a subculture in which participants immerse themselves.
Living Historians re-create many different eras. You might have heard of folks who re-create the American Civil War, the American War of Independence or the era of the fur trade. There are others who re-create eras as diverse as the Great War, the Roman Empire, World War II and the English Civil War. Regia Anglorum tries to recreate medieval culture from Pre-Conquest Britain. All aspects, from battle to special festivities to the everyday, homely details of living in that time.
Just like that favorite teacher or professor made history more exciting for you, we try to make history exciting. It is not that living historians try to denigrate history or that they burlesque it. It is not that they do not care about facts that they try to change medieval history into some kind of Tolkien fantasy or that we are just making up an excuse to wear fancy costumes, beat our friends over the heads with clubs or speak in a code that outsiders cannot understand. We are all serious about the history...but we aren't going to let that stand in the way of having a good time!
In living history, you can find friendship, camaraderie and much more. Many long-lasting friendships, relationships and even marriages have started in living history. Living history is parties and drinking and arts and sports...and much more. And living history is--like it or not, believe it or not--educational.
We honestly feel that the best way to learn is through doing. We may make mistakes--all historians do--and there are certain areas in which we excel and certain areas in which we fall short--but we try to resolve that. And we hope that if you are also a serious student of history--or just interested in one portion of the big picture--that you will join us. Explore the past with us. I'm willing to bet that you find it fun. And satisfying. And if you don't watch out, you might learn a thing or two along the way!