| Are your swords real? |
| This is a question which is often asked at events. The swords of the medieval period were varied but were always capable of inflicting a stabbing wound, a cutting wound or a percusion injury, which is after all what they were designed to do. Our swords are made of steel and are actual weight but are, of course, reproduction. If any of us owned a genuine medieval sword in the condition of ours we would not take it to events. Other than not being sharpened, our swords can still inflict a stabbing injury and an edge blow would be as effective in stopping an opponent as the original would have been. |
| Can visitors use the longbows? |
| While the answer is no we are currently insured for children to use bows of less draw weight than the longbow. Since this would require the close attention of a number of members and may detract from the display of crafts this may be made available at selected events and for strictly limited time periods. |
| Can visitors use the swords? |
| The answer is yes, but not against each other. Our members are trained in the safe use of our reproduction weapons and will, on occasion, offer adult visitors the chance to learn how to use them. Junior visitors are usually invited to train at the pell in the same way as squires in the medieval period. |
| Can visitors try on armour, mail or clothing? |
| Yes at the discretion of the craftsman or woman present at the time. Some armour and mail is heavy and smaller children may not be able to cope but their trying on helmets, etc will be subject to the permission and responsibility of the adult with those children. |
| Do you have a tournament? |
| No. The Medieval Free Company is a living history group and our aim is to portray everyday life in a free company. We exhibit crafts and live the life as accurately as we can. Tournaments were a feature of court life and, while some combat training is done, there is no actual tournament. |
| Can visitors buy food from your cook? |
| Unfortunately, the answer to this is no. While we would love to have visitors try out the foods of the period we are prevented from doing so by health regulations. |
| Do you have an age limit for members? |
| There is no age limit for members but, because of the nature of re-enactment the Free Company insists that only a person over the age of 18 may join as an individual member or as head of a family membership. Persons under the age of 18 may only join as part of the family group of an adult. The adult would, of course, be expected to attend any event at which the younger member is present |
WHAT WE DO
