From the Romans recreating epic battles in the Colosseum to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, re-enactments have been entertaining people and shaping historical narratives for centuries.
They were popular in 17th-century England at the time of the English Civil Wars, with military displays and mock battles taking place even before the conflict had ended in 1651. This role play continues today, with both professional and amateur re-enactors visiting historical sites and transporting audiences back to the times of the Normans, Tudors, Great Wars and more, complete with historically accurate costumes, weaponry and crafts.
All of which was in evidence at the Living History multi-period re-enactment weekend in Worcester where we discovered the appeal of historical time travel… and the strength needed to wear a 17th-century helmet.
The Living History weekend has been held in Worcester in the West Midlands for 23 years. A highlight was watching Hazel Jukes play the hurdy-gurdy, a string instrument that produces sound from a hand-turned crank. Jukes plays in a medieval music group called The Ledbury Waytes and also owns a military ambulance from the Second World War. Credit: Joseph BranstonWorcester’s beautiful Grade I-listed Commandery was the key venue of the city’s Living History weekend. Its Great Hall hosted dancing from the Gloriana Living History group as well as medieval music from two groups: Waytes and Measures, and The Ledbury Waytes. “Everyone who has ever worked at the Commandery has a ghost story to tell,” says the museum’s Helen Large on the building’s heritage-filled foundations. Credit: Joseph BranstonMembers of the Worcester Re-enactors prepare the wooden defences at their 17th-century English Civil Wars’ camp. The Commandery building, some of which dates from around 1085, acted as the Royalist headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil Wars – the Battle of Worcester in 1651 – and served as a monastic hospital, family home, a college for the blind and a printworks before becoming a museum. Credit: Joseph BranstonPolly Parsons, a member of the Amicorum Living History group, portrays life in the 14th century. The Commandery was a monastic hospital at the time and became one of the final church institutions to be dissolved by Henry VIII in 1540. The wall paintings of Catholic saints were covered with whitewash, but were rediscovered in 1935 – protected from sunlight for centuries – and can still be seen today. Credit: Joseph Branston“Putting on the period clothing gives you the feel of what it would be like living in that era,” says Worcester Re-enactors’ Brian Bullock, one of the organisers of the Living History weekend. “I’ve learnt a lot about the Napoleonic Wars and even got married in clothing from the Napoleonic period – my French regiment formed a guard of honour as we came out of the church. The stag night out was interesting, too, as we also did that in period kit!” Credit: Joseph BranstonBritish soldiers of Pulteney’s Regiment (13th Foot) form rank with muskets and bayonets, ready for conflict in the Lace Wars (1739–65). “Re-enactment events and re-enactors are truly a global thing,” adds Bullock. “I’d recommend anyone interested to join in whatever the period or part of the world, as you get to meet new people. It’s a wonderful way to see other countries and learn about history.” Credit: Joseph BranstonA preacher from Lord Brooke’s Regiment of Foote portrays life during the English Civil Wars. Defeat at the Battle of Worcester meant the end of Royalist (Cavaliers) hopes in the conflict, with Cromwell’s victorious Parliamentarians (Roundheads) forever changing the governance of England. Future American presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams would visit the battlefield in 1786, declaring the city “holy ground”. Credit: Joseph BranstonAfter a day of watching the re-enactments, BBC Countryfile Magazine joined in the fun (period-inappropriate trainers not pictured) by taking on the duties of a 17th-century pikeman. I promptly lost an inch of height due to the heaviness of the helmet, while the pike itself was also a weighty number, meaning I’ll need to get in shape for the return of Living History on 21–22 February 2026. Credit: Joseph BranstonAround 1,000 people bought tickets to this year’s Living History, where the military displays and musket firing were another highlight, especially for children. “We aim to use period-correct material for the clothing , from top to toe,” adds Bullock. “The muskets used are real weapons and are held under a shotgun licence. We load and fire them according to the drills for each period, but we do miss out the musket ball!” Credit: Joseph Branston
