About the Medieval Free Company

The Medieval Free Company is a pure living history group. This means that the emphasis of our activities is not on fighting or tournaments. We endeavour to recreate every day life in the tented village of a free company, including a display of the crafts associated with the period. Through continual research we are able to confidently discuss the period being enacted with visitors. While the use of arms in training is part of our activities and we do occasionally support organised battle events, if your main interest in re-enactment favours the martial side then there are many, very good groups who concentrate on this (some of these are on our links page).

Minimum age

The group invites applications for membership from persons of all ages but an application will only be accepted from an adult (over 18 years). If you are under eighteen then an adult who will be fully responsible for you will need to join with you and be expected to accompany you when you attend at any event.

Activity within the group

Every one of our members brings some skill in music, craft or other knowledge to the group and it is the sum of these skills which has made the Medieval Free Company so successful. While we appreciate that you may have to learn some of these skills we ask that you bring something to add value to the group. If you can play a traditional musical instrument, are skilled in a craft not already displayed or have some specialised knowledge of the period then you may be able to immediately contribute to the activities of the group.

We are a very close group and guard our reputation and the well being of our members jealously and it is for this reason that we like to meet and get to know prospective members before inviting them to join us.

We have an Associate Membership category which has been established to allow interested persons who are unable to take an active part in events but wish to further the aims of the group through research, etc to do so.

First steps

If you wish you may contact our membership officer, Mrs Jean Harcourt on 01454 322149, who will be happy to talk to you about joining the group. Alternatively you may prefer to come and see us at an event first. These are listed on the Diary page.

What happens after your application

We obviously like to meet prospective members and their family and will invite you to meet us at an event for an informal chat. Insurance considerations preclude your taking part in our activities until you have been invited to join as a probationary member.

If you are invited to join us you will be expected to take part in as many of the events remaining in the season as possible. At these events you and your family will form part of the Medieval Free Company and interact with our members during the day's labours and in the evening. We are aiming to have a good time at our events and will make every effort to ensure that your time is enjoyable. This probationary period allows us to get to know you and, of course, the other way around. It also helps you to decide whether you wish to proceed with membership and give commitment to the group. If the lateness in the season means that a decision cannot be reached a longer probationary period may be required.

At the end of the probationary season, during the AGM, the full members will be asked to vote on your acceptance as a member of the Medieval Free Company. Membership does, of course, mean commitment. Every one of us works for the good of the group and it is important that you can commit to at least half of the 9 or 10 events (most of which are in the South West of England and South Wales) in any season.

A cautionary note

If you are considering taking up re-enactment for the first time it is important to be aware that, while the Free Company would not expect you to be totally 'kitted out' with all of the necessary equipment in the early days, re-enactment to the standard portrayed is not an inexpensive pastime. Equipment is made to a high standard and to traditional designs and with known methods and materials wherever possible. It is possible to purchase much of this equipment through recognised sources or, if you have the ability (and the time), you can make it yourself. Members of the Free Company would be only too willing to discuss basic requirements and to advise you wherever possible of known sources or methods.