Beaufort Herald B e a u fo r t C o m p a n y e N e w s l e t te r

February 2011

Volume 5, Issue 2

Is it wrong to be planning the 2012 Beaufort Feast ? Royal Armouries

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those attending whether our groups, guests or the public

Event for 2011? The “flow and feel

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“of events “Flory” & the ma-

Some ideas to do this are given this month, and we are always looking for ways to get better and more FUN for all.

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chine? Why medieval

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600 the revolt ...PT2

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Livery coats—from

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us to you Beaufort Feast 2012

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Cooks corner

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In the next issue: ♦

Sir Richard Tunstall

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“Sumer is icumen “

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The castle that named the Beauforts

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Company of St George kit guide

Lets start things with a BANG! The new season means many things, is my kit clean, does it smell where did that funny mark come from?

Tell Allan & Phil what you think and importantly what you want to do JAYNE E ..

But also is a time for change for the group and to you its members as we improve our kit and knowledge One of the most important is to look and the successes (and failures) of the past. To see where we can build on what we do well and also to improve and make events more enjoyable for

“Lets see if the Beaufort patented killing trance works”

St Briavels is important and offers a great site in a great location to stage a different style to the normal, bringing a castle to life.

An apology for the events list Yes I know its incredible but I made a mistake (shock, horror, stagger back in amazement) In the events list St Briavels was just listed as a oneday event and not down as a Beaufort event

Also is case you weren’t aware its where we stage the Beaufort Feast!...A

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Additional event for 2011 Royal Armouries Leeds 26/27 March

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(if you want it)

“Towton 1461”

3: The changing face of battle – or from knighthood to guns who rules the battlefield? 4: The battle of Towton from all sides Hear Queen Margaret’s version, that of Sir Andrew Trollope, Lord Grey of Codnor knight of the body to Edward IV, the view from a Yorkist archer and from one of Norfolk’s billmen

If interested please let me know A weekend of events to commemorate Towton, the bloodiest battle of the Wars of the Roses. This will be an indoor event, we have been invited to be part of the activities, and present to the public different views of the weapons and tactics (plus the thoughts and feast of those taking part) of this epic battle . Also the opportunity for those who attend a chance examine artefacts from the battlefield itself. LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS VENUE: ADDRESS:

The Royal Armouries Armouries Drive, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS10 1LT

What is planned for each day 1: How troops were used at the time of Towton, knights, bills, archers and gunners - a demonstration of what each was and how as a unit they worked together 2: What it was like. Becoming a knight, becoming an archer - the social differences, the clothing the training - with civilian costume and manners as well.

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Allan

B ea u f o r t C o m p a n y e N ew s l et t er

Potential ways to improve the “flow and feel” the at events Now we are good, very good in fact as others will tell you but that doesn’t mean we can’t be better or should just sit back. Below are some thoughts on how we can do more at events to make the: 1: Have a better narrative flow 2: Be more enjoyable for those taking part, and for those watching

• In a similar vein the history of the Wars of the Roses can be simply unto the date of the event plus meet the archer / armourer etc

3: Raise the bar and expectations again within reenactment Please read and see what you think

• Discard modern breakfast........Authentic camp from say 9 instead of 10. Bill drill followed by breakfast being cooked while drill being undertaken e.g. gammon, eggs, bread. Coffee can be provided but authentic cups and coffees, sugar, milk in authentic pots. Possibly porridge if someone willing to clean pot straight away Soldiers paid after breakfast and only soldiers. Armour and weapons inspection, duties assigned. These monies can be used throughout the weekend to encourage role-play

• Mumming plays – develop further, I know that Andi Hield is writing one, what further kit do we need, who will volunteer? •

Display boards for the activities we will be conducting throughout the day at events, put out and kept up to date

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Greater emphasis on archers and archery, if possible some events where all asked to ”leave theirpolearms at home”

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Appoint suitable people to camp roles on military / civilian side to encourage people to gamble, clean armour, trade etc...give the place life and avoid people just sitting around

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These are some ideas, but you may

Weapon training to be conducted (and commented on) particularly for have better, tell us what you would newer / less regular members

For those events where possible Lunch with set up tables and benches, ,and food kept simple ............soldiers pay for it with money Another table would be set up for officers who stay in role play (don't necessary have to be served at table).......this could be done at other events doesn't need to be a formal table waited on....soldiers eat around cook tent.........officers separate......camp to be set up accordingly....... maintain characters and role-play..........evening meal out of hours is the time to bond as a group not during the event with whores/archers/ nobility mingled eating For evening those who play the officers wash up. •

• Keep the entertainment slots authentic, rather than having a load of people stand in front of the public for costume and manners arrange for various groups in character to come out in front of the public while enacting a semi mimed scenario and the commentator talks over it.........you could start of with whores who are then joined by a civilian / craftsman......the later being dragged of by his wife and child/ children...........the whores are then approached by soldiers / archers in soft kit.........higher status officer then enters and sees off the whores.............soldiers skulk off.............officers wife then enters.........gradually increase social standing while giving a sense of "fly on the wall” 3

like or what you would like to do and be involved in.

We have pitched the group as a relatively high status companye which puts us in a unique position to show a different outlook. (but it must be remembered we have a military theme))

The Beaufort Companye, 2011 and beyond

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Over the last couple of years the Companye has gone from strength to strength due to everyone’s enthusiasm and commitment and, although we have quickly become recognised as one of the foremost medieval groups in the country, we need to continually seek ways in which to improve the group, not only for the public but more importantly ourselves. At the moment we currently describe ourselves as the household of a retainer to the Duke of Somerset but until now we have not really put any “meat on the bones” so in 2011 we would like to evolve this into looking at being more specific, and portraying a named household knight in the employ of the Dukes of Somerset. For example, Sir John Flory (see article below) and in this way give the group a more definitive identity. We are also reviewing how the camp is run, particularly at smaller scenario led events such as Avoncroft, Rievaulx and Framlingham, as we want to create more of a medieval household feel and it is hoped this will allow members, if they wish, to create a character role within the household much in the way our ladies of easy virtue have done so successfully. There are planned changes to such things as drill, training, how we take our meals and we are also looking at introducing changes to both the public and group timetable, again particularly at the smaller events, so that the camp and its activities become an integral part of the show as opposed to being sidelined by the “out of camp” arena displays. As can be seen from the outline event scenario’s published on our website and Facebook we have written these to ensure that we are portraying Beauforts at as many events as possible as this will allow us to experiment with the new formula which we hope will create a more exciting and enjoyable event for everyone. More details will be announced in due course via the Herald and Warning Orders but should you have any suggestions of how our events could be improved then please let us know as your ideas are important. It should be stressed that this does not require anyone to change livery or badges and only requires the introduction of a few Flory items such as a Banner. For those few events when we portray members of the Gloucester Household, i.e. Gainsborough, Bosworth etc, we will remain as anonymous members of his household but hope to include many of the improvements into the camp organisation. Finally the following website gives a summary of manor house jobs should you wish to considering taking on a specific role

Sir John’s heraldry in Osprey MAA 145 “Wars of the Roses”.

with Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset’s, and his brother Edmund’s, defection back to the Lancastrian cause at the end of 1463 (see A Year of Living Dangerously on the website). It is reasonable to assume that Flory most likely fought at Hedgeley Moor and Hexham and fled with Edmund to Burgundy and exile until 1471. To date we have not identified any evidence that Flory was part of the Duke of Somerset’s retinue at St Albans I, Wakefield, St Albans II or Towton but at the same time we have no evidence that he wasn't. Our research suggests, based on Somerset archive records pertaining to his fa-

http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle32.htm

ther, who died in 1440, that Flory was

Sir John Flory - Standard Bearer to Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somer-

easily of an age to fight at St Albans I

alongside Henry Beaufort, who was set Sir John Flory is a possible named knight we could use, not only do we then aged 19. Sir John Flory was the know his heraldry, but he is the only knight of rank that we can 100% assoDuke of Somerset’s standard bearer at ciate with the Beaufort family. The Flory family held the Manor of Cloford Tewkesbury and was executed shortly and Postbury, near Frome in Somerset since at least the reign of Edward I afterwards. He left no male issue and (Giles de Flory) and on this basis it is not beyond reasonable doubt to asone daughter, Ellen sume that the family had an association with the Duke’s of Somerset from before the Wars of the Roses. Edward IV confiscated Flory’s estates in January 1464 and, as this predates the battles of Hedgley Moor and Hexham, it would suggest that that Edward IV in some way associated Flory 4

March Herald is another possible contender Sir Richard Tunstall of Thurland (arch trimmer)

I quizzed him further and discovered that Why medieval? there was a world of which I was comEver since I was a kid I’ve loved pictures and paintings that told a story. I pletely unaware. Renever realised that this is why I don’t understand modern art – because it searching it all on the net says nothing to me. There’s no curious little figure skulking away with a that night, I discovered ladder on his shoulder towards the vague outline of a castle in the backthat there was to be a ground, when you look at a pile of bricks, a porcelain urinal or half a cow in just such an event at a formaldehyde! I need my visual art to tell me a tale, and the more romantic place called Tewkesbury the better. in a fortnight’s time and I determined to go. So it was that there was always within me this incredible urge to create, to write stories and to make images by whatever means. The writing was inArriving early, I was amazed to see an enormous formed by Tolkien (of course), Le Guin, Garner and a host of old and new medieval fayre spread out across acres of writers. But the thing that always struck me was that my scribblings were meadow, with everyone in medieval dress (well always something I’d made up. Perhaps reinterpretations of traditional tales, mostly – apart from grockles like me!) and selling but I didn’t feel they were real. medieval stuff. Everything from parchment to

B ea u f o r t C o m p a n y e N ew s l et t er

Likewise with my art. Not having spent enough time when I was young mastering the pencil and brush, the advent of computer technology which enabled the manipulation of photographic images, opened a new world of creativity for me. I embraced it with alacrity and embarked upon projects creating images informed by Dean, Froud, Waterhouse, Tadema, the PreRaphaelites, Mucha and the Art Nouveaou of the 19th Century and illustrators like Arthur Rackham. I was making fantasy art that resembles the art of

pole arms, quills to quintanes! And then, in the afternoon, there was this impressive battle with hundreds of men-at-arms and archers, marching out of my fantasy and onto the field before me.

Interestingly the Medieval bug did not bite me immediately. Of course I bought a car load of props, but I was still thinking photography. It the LOTR films, before they were made. I even sold them online…. took three years of attending various fayres and spending large amounts of money, before I But still it was all somehow hollow. realised that I badly wanted to be part of all I knew where it came from, and it this. I already had much of the clothing didn’t feel real. In the end although needed,. and so I started to dress up on going satisfied with the individual images, to the events. I gradually got to know various in the end I knew it was all just my people and unobtrusively joined in the back imagination and that really did not line of archers on the battlefields. Eventually I satisfy that urge inside. I wanted it bought a tent and by diverse means got to to be real. pitch it in the authentic camps. Soon nodding Now, these images of women and I dunno what do you think it does? acquaintances became invitations to join a company and the rest is history. I was home. I had men in their fantasy worlds by nature involved medieval weaponry and armour. Not owning any, I was hiring found what I had spent nearly 40 years looking gear from a film-props company at ridiculous prices based on weeks, when for… the real thing! Not just dressing up in medieval clothes, but a period – specifically 1459 to I only required them for hours. 1485 in England. As I began to read and deepA helpful chap at the warehouse, on signing out a couple of swords and ened my knowledge of a period I knew nothing some helmets one day, shook his head and said “I don’t know why you’re about, instinctively I knew in my heart of hearts paying so much to hire this stuff…. Why don’t you just go to one of those that I was a liegeman of Richard of Gloucestre. re-enactment fayres and you can buy it all for a fifth of the price.” 5

Why Medieval (Cont’d)

B ea u f o r t C o m p a n y e N ew s l et t er

It wasn’t a cerebral decision thinking, “Oh I like the Yorkists”, or “The Lancastrians were right…I want to be Lancastrian”, it was purely visceral. I just knew! And equally, my views on Edward IV’s choice of wife, the demise of the Earl of Warwick and a deep and abiding disdain and hatred for Henry Twydr, I found were all equally visceral and completely in line with being Richard’s man. Extraordinary! I don’t know where it came from, but there it is. It’s as though I inherited it all in my genes. But what has this done to me? It has changed my life completely. I had lived in England since moving here in 1986 without making any real friends. Oh, there were aquaintaces from work and through my wife, but no-one I held dear, knew I could rely upon and relate to. Through the Wars of the Roses re-enactment, I now have a family of firm friends in a way that I never had before. I am now part of a community with invitations to stay, to collaborate, to join them in the events of life, from parties at New Year, to the celebration of their weddings. And because a lot of what we need for re-enactment is not available on the high street, I have redirected my creative abilities to making those things I require, in as authentic a manner as I can. Finally I am fulfilled. That niggling voice which always said “But you know you made that up – it isn’t real!” is not gone. What I do is based on research and fact. I don’t care that the delightful image of curling oak sprigs and hunting scenes, or lords and ladies courting on horseback is copied from a 15th Century wedding box in the V&A. That’s what makes it fantastic. I am a prentice to masters who lived over 500 years ago, and as their prentices did then, I’m learning their crafts and making new “old” art. I haven’t taken a photograph in years, but I have tooled leather, written music and manuscripts in authentic style with authentic materials, carved wood, made furniture, stitched clothing and embroidered livery badges as well as fought with bow, pole arm and sword, played the medieval fiddle and learned to dance a measure in courtly style. It is wonderful! Looking back what I have realised, is that I am an artisan, not an artist. Artists make up new things. I love reviving the old. I live, eat and sleep the late Middle Ages and it has fulfilled me in a way I never thought possible. My only regret is that I found out so late in life!

Tim Lambon (aka Ralph d’Aarken) 6

Archers in action Bosworth & Richmond 2010

Fantastic shot of the bombard being fired

B ea u f o r t C o m p a n y e N ew s l et t er The noise had also alerted Charles’s guards, who poured down the stairs of the Inn as Charles was quartered in a Inn where he had taken one of the large down- the Liegois broke down the door. Charles stairs rooms, his “on duty” guards 12 of them were dicing in the room roused by the commotion was franticly tryabove, the remainder of his Household were accommodated in tents ing to get into his breastplate, assisted by nearby. Louis occupied another Inn nearby, in which were billeted his Scot- Phillipe de Commynes, before fleeing via tish Archer guard. the rear of the building.. Several factors assisted the plan; Simultaneously other parties of Liegois at1. The Burgundian lines extended only to the North & South of the tacked the lodgings of the Duke of Alencon city and the south and east were left open and not blockaded. and Louis XI, firing the tents of their supporters surrounding the Inn. After a short 2. Both Charles and Louis had set up their Headquarters in two of the but fierce fight, in which one of Louis’s larger surviving buildings of a suburb approx 500m from the Saint Swiss attendants Ludwig von Diebach, (later Walburga Gate. The lodgings had been chosen as one side was to train the Pike at Pont de L’Arche see the protected by a small ravine, the Fond Pirette.. April.2010 Herald) only narrowly escaped 3. The Burgundian army was a polyglot force, with a large mercenary with his life, The Liegois attacking Louis’s Inn were defeated by the Scottish archer element of many nations and different languages. guard, who then proceeded to shoot into 4. The destruction of the city walls following the Battle of Brusthem, the melee, around the barn and Charles’s meant that the Liegois could issue from the city at almost any Inn killing friend and foe alike. By now the point. whole Burgundian camp was in a state of uproar and troops were converging on On the night of 28th/29th October a picked force of 600 men under de Charles’s quarters. Streel and William de Bures. Many of these men came from Franchimont, a hilly and mountainous region to the East of Liege and had taken part in the With the element of surprise clearly lost the initial raid on Tongres. raiders retired to the ravine and made good

600 – The Raid

Part 2

their escape. Liegois losses were ~60men, Using the cover of darkness they eluded the Burgundian sentries and stole the Burgundians lost in excess of 200, but into the Fond Pirette ravine, using this as cover and with the innkeepers as the raid had failed and Charles’s retribution guides they approached the rear of Charles’s lodgings. Scaling the side of on the city would be terrible…….Part 3 the Ravine, they split into small parties and infiltrated the Burgundian camp. March Mark Hinsley At this point disaster struck, a number of the Liegois were challenged by a party of drunken Burgundian Camp followers, led by a raucous and amply built “fille de Joie” known as L’abbess. She apparently recognized their accent and proceeded to proclaim to all and sundry in a loud voice that they were from Liege. Though the rebels acted promptly killing most of her party, one of them escaped, by the desperate expedient of jumping into a cesspit from which she continued to bellow the alarm. Unfortunately for the Liegois, Charles had been fearful of an attempt on his life (not by the Liegois, but from Louis XI) and as a precaution had billeted a hundred men of his household in a large open sided barn, between his and Louis XI’s lodgings. Wakened by the noise , many of them were speared by the Liegois through the open sides of the barn as they attempted to arm.

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Livery coats—come and get them We have negotiated a deal with Sarah Thursfield for the making of Beaufort livery coats (see picture for style and quality). These were a civilian garment but made in heraldic colours to show your allegiance to a certain faction of house, and as you can see in Blue and White soooo slimming. These are NOT intended to be worn on the battlefield. The group will pay for the wool to make the coat, and she is charging a special price for the making (which includes the badge). As you can see they look brilliant If you are interested please let as know, the offer is open to all soldiers but there will be a waiting list Now for the Ladies—the group will pay for wool from recommended suppliers to the value to match that of the cost of a livery coat for the making of a gown. The gown can be made by Sarah or Chrissie or you can make yourself. The only proviso is that if the gown isn’t finished by 2012 season you will pay the cost of the wool back to the group. Well what are you waiting for Allan

2012 Beaufort Feast To be staged at St Briavels Castle will be held on the weekend of 21st & 22nd of January 2012 … plenty of time to prepare

Caption Competition “Just hurry up before Allan spots the camera !”

Cookery Corner, Part 28 Tart de Bry (Cheese tart) forme of cury Tart de Bry. Take a crust ynche depe in a trap. Take yolkes of ayren rawe & chese ruayn & medle it & þe yolkes togyder. Do þerto powdour gynger, sugur, safroun, and salt. Do it in a trap; bake it & serue it forth. INGREDIENTS: One nine-inch pie shell Raw Egg Yolks Cheese - a semi-soft, but not so soft that it can't be grated. See note below. Ginger (powder) Sugar Saffron Salt DIRECTIONS:Combine the final 6 ingredients - the mixture needs to essentially be grated cheese held together with the egg yolk; the final consistency should be slightly runny. Place this filling in a pie shell and bake until the pastry is golden brown and the filling has set.

Replies to: captioncomp @ jayandal.plus.com

The original recipe implies that Brie cheese is to be used; however, "chese ruayn," also called "rewen" or "rowen" in other Medieval sources, was Autumn cheese, made after the cattle had fed on the second growth. This was apparently a semi-soft cheese, but not as soft as a ripe modern Brie: one period recipe says to grate it. It appears to be the same cheese called fromage de gaing in France. 8