Herefordshire History Week

 I was in Hereford this morning, in the middle of High Town, dressed in my chainmail and helmet! I was helping to advertise Herefordshire History Week, along with Sue from Cusop History Group who was also in medieval costume.  

The events run from 9th May to 20th May, all over the county.  There'll be a walk to a hillfort; Cloddock Mill will be open; the River and  Canal Trust is involved, and there will be talks all across the county.  

One of the things they're doing is an event all about the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts during the Second World War.  We had a lovely chat with a lady who is involved in that - and she also showed us pictures of a medieval banner she made, with completely accurate heraldry and an orb near the flagpole that shows it was stitched during the year of a Coronation - 2023.  It's now in the Lady Chapel of Newent church.

I also had a lovely chat with an ex-mayor of Ledbury, who used to belong to the Sealed Knot, and a chap in a wheelchair who is involved with a History shop in Bromyard.

It was quite interesting to see who wanted to stop and talk, and who marched straight past, pretending they hadn't noticed us - groups of young teenage  boys were completely oblivious to a person in chainmail and helmet - with a sword! - while older people were a lot more interested, and often had interesting stories to tell.

As part of the History Week, I'll be doing a Weapons and Arrows talk at Cusop Castle at 4pm on May 9th, where people will have the opportunity to try on the chainmail!