History Workshops

History Workshops We bring history to life through historical reenactment workshops in schools and colleges. Based in the South West.

We cover: the Spanish Armada, the Gunpowder Plot, English Civil War, the Monmouth Rebellion and the First World War.

Big thanks to Shane at the Uffculme Show!He helped me demonstrate to the crowd how to string a recurve bow. He may not l...
27/08/2026

Big thanks to Shane at the Uffculme Show!

He helped me demonstrate to the crowd how to string a recurve bow. He may not look like it - but he was enjoying himself šŸ˜šŸ˜Š

25/08/2026

The British Armyā€™s ā€œConscience Roundā€

Did you know that British Army firing squads were sometimes issued a ā€œconscience roundā€?

When a condemned soldier faced a firing squad, the rifles were loadedā€”but one rifle could contain a blank cartridge. This meant that each member of the squad could potentially believe that their rifle had not fired the fatal shot.

The idea was intended to ease the psychological burden on the soldiers carrying out the ex*****on.

But how common was this practice? And did the soldiers actually know which rifle contained the blank?

A fascinatingā€”and chillingā€”piece of British military history.

šŸ‘‡ Would you have been able to take part in a firing squad?

ROMANS IN THE SUNWe had a cracking day on Sunday at the Uffculme Show. Throughout the day, we put on displays (with a lo...
25/08/2026

ROMANS IN THE SUN
We had a cracking day on Sunday at the Uffculme Show. Throughout the day, we put on displays (with a lot of help from my mate Chris Chalk!) as well as our living history tent. We were exhausted by the end of the day as we were chatting and demonstrating to so many interested people. We thank everyone who came up and chatted and took so much interest in what we were doing.

If you would like a Roman soldier at an event (SouthWest based) then please do get in touch!

24/08/2026

This is video of myself and my friend (Chris) firing muskets at the Bridgwater Living History Day last weekend. We were portraying a redcoat of the kingā€™s army and a rebel from the Duke of Monmouthā€™s army of 1685. The first clip has been slowed down already and then gets progressively slower in the video.
In the background, Chris is firing a flintlock fowling piece and I am firing a matchlock musket. It is always fascinating to see the guns firing in slow motion and to experience the physics you just donā€™t see in a real-time firing.
In the background, Chrisā€™ flintlock appears to fire almost immediately after the trigger is pulled. The hammer falls forwards, the flint strikes the steel frizzen, sparks are created, the pan in the powder ignites and then the main charge ignites straight after.
The matchlock in the foreground is similar in the first clip, slightly slower initial ignition and a slight delay between pan and main charge igniting.
It is fascinating to see the force of the explosion coming out of the pan and touchhole. On top of this, even though there was no wadding or lead ball in the guns, there is still a noticeable kick.
As we get slower and slower throughout the video, we can see the real delay in between a) the trigger being pulled and the initial ignition and b) the delay between the pan igniting and the main charge.
The slow-motion also demonstrates the inherent danger of the matchlock as a weapon, especially when used in close proximity to other soldiers. The concussion of the gun going off, wrenches the burning matchcord from the serpent and we can see it flailing in front of the musketeerā€™s body ā€“ exactly where he has his bandolier ā€“ wooden bottles filled with gunpowder!

A BRILLIANT DAYThank you to Bridgwater Town Council for putting on their Living History Day.It was a bit of a scorcher b...
24/08/2026

A BRILLIANT DAY
Thank you to Bridgwater Town Council for putting on their Living History Day.
It was a bit of a scorcher but big crowds, great visitors and other cracking reenactment groups made the day a cracking success!
Can't wait until next year!
And a huge thank you to my mate Chris Chalk who gave up his Saturday to help!

GREAT TO SEE YOU THERE TODAY!I'll be in red today šŸ™„šŸ¤£
23/08/2026

GREAT TO SEE YOU THERE TODAY!

I'll be in red today šŸ™„šŸ¤£

22/08/2026

WHAT A GREAT DAY!
At Bridgwater Living History Day reenacting the Monmouth Rebellion.
Huge thanks to Chris Chalk who gave up a Saturday to help me burn some powder! Huge thanks to Claire Vaughan for helping set up, pack down and everything in between.
Great to see many friends: Phil, Charlie, Sue, Vince, Sharon and Tina!
Video from Claire V

21/08/2026

JUST A SMALL PART OF WHAT WE WILL BE DOING TOMORROW!
Bridgwater Living History
Monmouth Rebellion and the Battle of Sedgemoor
Bridgwater Town Council

BUSY WEEKEND INCOMINGSat 22nd - Bridgwater Living HistoryWe'll be portraying rebels and redcoats from the Monmouth Rebel...
20/08/2026

BUSY WEEKEND INCOMING

Sat 22nd - Bridgwater Living History
We'll be portraying rebels and redcoats from the Monmouth Rebellion and the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685. We will be demonstrating how people lived, what they ate, their uniforms, weapons as well as musket displays throughout the day!

Sun 23rd - Uffculme Show
We will be reenacting a slice of Roman Britain. We will have a Roman legionary soldier and a native Briton. Armour and weapons will be showcased throughout the day.

Address

Wellington
TA21

Telephone

+447576840676

Website

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