HISTORICAL LIVES

Museums and historical sites

Historical Lives Offer.

The periods which we can accurately portray are Ancient Greece, The Roman Army in Britain from 1 BCE to 5 CE, the Saxons, Vikings, and Knights of the 12/13 CE.

​

Presentations/ talks – all periods   Can be run by one person.

• Presentations, and talks. For all the periods above we present well informed, researched talks about the equipment shown, settlement in Britain and general life in those times. We can demonstrate arms, armour, and other period equipment. This could be done in any weather from either an historical tent or a room on the premises. This can include handling artefacts by members of the public.

​

Public Participation:

​

Roman – Our offer includes a choice of two of the activities below, run by a team of two. If all three are required a team of three is needed. (Can include timetabled talks as per above/ talks as an alternative to chariot racing in inclement weather.)

• Roman Military drill. Commands in Latin and using the same drills as Roman re-enactment groups. It is for children from 3 years old with parents help. Up to 50 children can participate at a time and it is done in all weather conditions. This needs two persons to run smoothly, with a tent needed for storage.

• Gladiator combat for children and families. The Flavian Amphitheatre: with the pupils fighting to the ‘death’ (with foam weapons) for the amusement of the crowd. This is a 45-minute interactive historical show. Afterwards the families can return to the tent where a smaller arena can be set up for family battles. Two persons and tent needed.( Not available at time of writing due to Covid restrictions)

• Chariot racing. Weather dependent. In pairs family members can pull along our safe chariots in a classic Red V Blue battle. Two persons and tent needed. (An extra fee of £50 is added to this show to cover the cost of transporting the chariots.)

​

Saxons / Viking- Our offer includes both activities below, run by a team of two. (Can also include timetabled talks as per above)

• Shield drill. This is for members of the public to try the experience of marching in a shield wall, forming a Boars Snout and defending themselves against safe missile weapons, around thirty children at a time. Two persons and a tent needed.

• Handling session.

Medieval- Our offer includes the Tilt and Arming tent, run by a team of two. (Can also include timetabled talks as per above)

• Medieval Tilt. Children can train at a tilt to hone their Knightly skills. Two persons plus tent and (an extra fee of £50 for the transport of the tilt.)

• Medieval arming tent. A tent in which members of the public can try on armour and handle blunted weapons.

• Medieval Crossbow range. This is set up in a tent and the public would be charged directly so no fee to organisers. (extra person required at no added cost)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Fees

Fees depend on distance from Birmingham and are per 2-day weekend. (longer periods can be discussed)

• For one person and no tent the fee is £250 within 60 miles of Birmingham or £350 for further out.

• For two people using a tent it is £450 within 60 miles or £650 for further out,

• For three people using a tent it is £650 within 60 miles or £750 further away.

• Should all 3 Medieval activities be wanted a third person would be required but still at the cost detailed above for two people as the Cross Bow range would be run by the third person on a pay as you go basis.

Covid 19 – The measures below will be kept under review to reflect government guidance.

• Handling Sessions/ Arming tent / Cross Bow range. We will require the use of hand sanitizer (which we will provide) prior to and following handling artefacts. Our presenters will observe robust hand and respiratory hygiene. Sessions can be limited to one family at a time if Government guidance requires this at the time of the event. A socially distanced queuing system could be observed. At time of writing, helmets can be handled but not tried on.

• Presentations/ talks. Our presenters will maintain 2-meter distancing and audience will be required to sit/stand in family groupings observing social distancing from other groups. If taking place indoors, a well-ventilated area would be required.

• The Tilt -lances will be wiped down after each child has participated, queuing will be socially distanced. We will require the use of hand sanitizer (which we will provide) prior to and following session.

• Chariots - will be wiped down after each child has participated, queuing will be socially distanced. Family groups only. We will require the use of hand sanitizer (which we will provide) prior to and following session.

• Roman Military drill- unfortunately the popular roman ‘Turtle’ will not be available for now. Other manoeuvres will be done at a minimum distance of 1 meter apart. We will require the use of hand sanitizer (which we will provide) prior to and following session.

• At time of writing the children’s Gladiator fight cannot take place due to full face helmets being used for health and safety.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​