…and let slip the dogs of war.”

William Shakespeare, Act 3, scene 1, Julius Caesar

 

 

 

It’s always a bit surreal when the Medieval Fayre is on – things like people in Medieval costume buying drinks in the local supermarket. Even the whole idea of Australians dressing up in Medieval costume and doing re-enactments is a bit of a strange notion when you consider that Australia had no European history prior to the Seventeenth Century. I go most years just for the spectacle, I always like watching the mounted archery demonstration. Amazing skills in hitting a target while at a full gallop. It makes for great photos as well.

 

Just lately I’ve been on a bit of historical journey – over the last 8 weeks I’ve watched all the Time Team episodes on YouTube. It’s been quite an education and it was a very fun way to find out more about where I’m from. I particularly liked the episodes about the Saxon period just because up to recently very little has been known about that time. Another connection is that I spent part of my childhood in Hastings in East Sussex and growing up there you’re very aware of the fate of the last Saxon King of England – Harold Godwinson – at the Battle of Hastings. So when I walked into the Medieval Fayre I was quite delighted to see the Grey Company putting on a display re-enacting that period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographically it was a case of using my Canon 6d, the EF24-70mm f4 and EF 70-200mm f2.8. Processing was all done in Lightroom and Exposure X7. I felt a black and white treatment would be the most sympathetic.