Castle Rushen 2009

[Stuart Quayle]

Some pics from the July "Medieval Experience" at Castle Rushen, in the Isle of Man.

I did the arms and armour presentation and my portrayal was of William de Montacute - 2nd Earl of Salisbury and Lord of Mann between 1344 to 1392.

The lovely shield was made and painted by the very talented - John Watson of 'Shields and Shoes'.

[Stuart Quayle]

A few more photos.

[Nigel]

nice is that a building I spy in the background ?

[Merlon.]

Yes, its one of the building we built back in the 1991 & 1992 visits to the castle

[Nigel]

so despite my efforts to blow em up they survive

well built that man

was it that long ago

[Stuart Quayle]

Hi Nigel and Merlon

Yes, those 'outbuildings' were built for the ECW Sealed Knot displays at Castle Rushen, (must be some 25 years ago at least) and damned fine structures they are too - still going strong.

Hee hee, although Manx National Heritage recently had to get the nesting pigeons out and the professional cleaners in to fumigate the huts, which sort of took away some of their rustic charm I thought

Really hope the Sealed Knot get back en masse to the Castle Rushen soon ... they used to put on excellent shows.

[Merlon.]

Sadly the Sealed Knot can claim no credit for those buildings, they were built by members of Robert Overtons Regiment of the English Civil War Society in June / July 1991.
Some of those planks have my blood on them!
In the first year I was part of the honour guard for The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Derby MC. for the reopening ceremony for Castle Rushen following its refurbishment.
Nigel attended the second years event

[Stuart Quayle]

Whoops! sorry Merlon for my gaff.

Well, please get over again soon, the castle needs re-enactors badly to bring the place to life. It has been decades years since the ECW and War of the Roses groups have been over and all are sorely missed!

I have a long-term strategy to try and get some 14th century Scottish groups over for the 700th anniversary of the (1313AD) Scottish invasion of the Isle of Man by Robert the Bruce and his forces in 2013, but unfortunately private funding has proved fruitless so far. I will keep trying.

[Nigel]

Sadly the Sealed Knot can claim no credit for those buildings, they were built by members of Robert Overtons Regiment of the English Civil War Society in June / July 1991.
Some of those planks have my blood on them!
In the first year I was part of the honour guard for The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Derby MC. for the reopening ceremony for Castle Rushen following its refurbishment.
Nigel attended the second years event

cheeky git I was at all the rushens apart from the last one

[Merlon.]

Sorry Nigel,
I was the only none Overton at the first event.
You, Fagin and Ronan joined in from number two onwards just in time for the sack of Peel Castle.
(Don't worry though the dress and the potatoes will remain a closed book)

[Stuart Quayle]

"(Don't worry though the dress and the potatoes will remain a closed book)"

There must be a good story here ... pray tell

[bonnacon]

Stu....lovely lovely pics! The fluted bascinet is just superb.

[Stuart Quayle]

Many thanks Nigel - a Polish armourer friend called Greg Kulig aka "Thorkill" made it for me some years ago when he was beginning to expand his repertoire from viking and dark age into medieval armour.

Greg hand forged the helm from two halves and it does possess a lovely authentic appearance to it.

Here is a pic of the helm in progress and the finshed product. It is a replica of the fluted cervelliere worn by Sir John d'Aubernoun in 1340.

Best wishes
Stu

PS. Your new banner from Gerald looks very smart

[Nigel]

Sorry Nigel,
I was the only none Overton at the first event.
You, Fagin and Ronan joined in from number two onwards just in time for the sack of Peel Castle.
(Don't worry though the dress and the potatoes will remain a closed book)

nope me and Mick and you were there at the first one I checked with Steve as was Bill and a number of Foxes assumign it was the first one you built the buildings for cos I remember Lord DERBUY ROCKING UP

Ronan was at number 2

[Merlon.]

Fair enough, sign of my age and memory failing.
Apologies to Stuart for CUBAing this thread

[Stuart Quayle]

No apologies necessary Merlon, it's interesting to find out the quality of groups we got over to the island all those years ago

Got me pike ready for when the ECW groups get over again (pics attached). This jobby was carved out of a 16 feet long plank of English Ash by a wood carver friend and a nice Morris (Moorish) pikehead from J&J fitted.

It's funny, out of all the staff-weapons I produce for my weapons talk the kids always home-in on the pike first. Then it's time to que possibly the worst joke of the century ... "Have you ever been hit by a wet fish? (thoughts of a certain Monty Python sketch materialize in my mind) Well let me tell you that the Pike and Halibut were two of the most vicious medieval weapons you could be attacked with, with razor sharp fins, when swung right ... em I'll get me coat

[bonnacon]

Pikes were apparently so expensive that they were popularly supplied on higher perches....indeed whole consignments of the weapons changed hands on the roll of a dace.....they were difficult to maneouvre and had to be gripped in just the right plaice.........lessons in their use were given at the Knights' Shoal.......

sorry........