Lewes and Nunhead.

It has been a couple of weeks since these two modest events and I pondered whether to write them up, but decided to as a matter of completeness.

The battle of Lewes, the official poster for the event, without a single mention of where or what time anything was happening! 

I was only going on the Sunday but as Lewes is a short train ride away I decided to nip over on the Saturday night to catch a bit of socialising and broke out the Fransiscan habit, the only bit of kit I've got that has been improved by being a bit Moth eaten during lockdown. 

Played an amusing medieval board game, which no one knew the name of, but I may try and make my own copy.  Had a couple of pints in my half pint mug which involved drinking half a pint at the beer tent counter before transferring the rest to my modest mug. I have tankards but as a poor friar I don't think it would be appropriate to have something big and shiny.

Back in Lewes on Sunday I was twice accosted by visitors wanting to know where the skirmishes were.. at three points on the advance into town.. I only vaguely knew and was wandering in the general direction myself. I didn't really get any historical questions all day, although I was mistakenly referred to as 'Father' to which I replied "Oh no, I'm not a father, not that I know of.' 

The king gets beaten again on Lewes high street, some good cajoling went on. 

Back at the camp there was an assortment of stalls and attractions from the inevitable hog roast and mead to crockery smashing, archery and a treasure hunt, a leather hooded executioner did a very good show every so often, although someone told me they didn't think it was entirely suitable for children, mainly due to the crushing of testicles.

Despite being fairly local I had never seen all the ruins of Lewes priory which was once a pretty big, solid complex, like many laid to waste by Henry VIII.  

                       The ghost of the priory!

Nunhead cemetery open day.. I thought would be a bit of a niche event, one of our small band chatting to an old lady and her small dog whilst the rest sip tea and nibble on cucumber sandwiches. 

It was actually quite full on and busy with all sorts of visitors, including quite a few goths, naturally. 

The connection with the 45e is that a number of veterans of the Napoleonic wars are buried there, including a Corporal Dickson, who was apparently with Sergeant Ewart when he captured the Eagle. Several times in the day we marched up the main path and saluted the grave which drew some attention and gave the MC a chance to talk about the subject.

We were all kept quite busy with three tables of displays to talk about, or answer questions, why we were here and is that a real gun? being most common.

I often think I'm not keen on children but like all people it depends on them and a lot of the kids were very bright, and polite in that muesli belt kind of way. 

A much needed pint and pub meal followed, a warm day of standing, talking and gesticulating can really tire you out. 

Next..  should be Waterloo!  For many the first big event since lockdown. 

There was a possibility of going with the Prussians last year but covid still shut things down to Netherlanders only, but I may see them this year so plan to go as a civilian doctor capable of literally being in both camps. 

I have a 'new' doctors bag that isn't actually falling apart but there is a rather too modern lock on one side not shown in the picture (on ebay). Oh well, I'm sure it can be disguised or just held out of sight.

I could have got away with being a French surgeon but was a bit wary someone would discover some irregularity!  Also means I don't have to travel with a sword and big hat. Bonus.

Two week today I'll be enroute!