I intended to write this post before I headed off to Hadrian’s Wall a couple of weeks ago but, as usual, I didn’t manage to fit it in. I particularly wanted the post at that time, as it was to be a ‘follow up’ to the one on the Magna Carta I’d done the week before (here). Still, the Magna Carta celebrations in Lincoln will continue into October, and I suppose any information about King John could be shared at any time. So here it is now…
Over the weekend of July 22, about forty members of the re-enactment society, Regia Anglorum, presented a living history ‘encampment’ in the grounds of Newark Castle to demonstrate to visitors how people would have fed and clothed themselves at the time of King John and demonstrate use of their weaponry skills. The society was invited to Newark by the castle warden as part of the region’s celebrations to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.
Newark is about 18 miles away from Lincoln, and the castle at that time belonged to the Bishop of Lincoln, who was also present. Here are a few photos of what is left of the castle today. Some are of the outside from across the River Trent and others are views of the inside of the curtain walls and gates:
And here are is a photo of King John as he looked on this occasion. John is the one in the decorative blue tunic, enjoying a snack:
And this is the Bishop of Loncoln, inside his tent:
Medieval characters were milling about enjoying the day or gossiping around the camp:
Throughout the day, display tents were set up to demonstrate the different roles in 13th century society – from shoemakers, leatherworkers, metalworkers, chainmail and jewellery makers to those carving a variety of everyday goods from deer antler, such as combs, needles and gaming dice. Other stalls displayed common foods eaten and demonstrated cooking methods:
The highlight of the day was a tournament put on by twenty members of Regia Anglorum. Warriors came from all ranks of society – peasants, sergeants and knights – to entertain King John and the Bishop of Lincoln, the Right Rev Hugh de Wells, with their skills – some of them hopeful of being selected as future knights. The king and bishop put on jovial faces for the tournament, when in reality (according to the actor who played the bishop) relations between the two were never easy. At one time he had been banished by John.
Here are some pictures of the tourney and preparations made by the combatants beforehand. Squires were on hand to assist the knights into their gambesons (padded jerkins) and heavy chain mail. King John certainly seemed to be enjoying himself:
King John has often been linked with the Nottingham-Newark-Lincoln area through the many legendary tales about Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, which once covered much of this area. But perhaps an even greater link with Newark is that he died inside its castle:
By October 1215, after the signing of the Magna Carta at Runneymede in June – a treaty that John had no intention of keeping – war with the barons resumed. In May 1216, Prince Louis of France invaded with a powerful force in support of the English barons who had wanted him crowned king in place of John. John spent the rest of his reign trying to regain control of his kingdom. At Lynn (now King’s Lynn) in October he fell ill, possibly of dysentery. On October 11th he led his army on a short cut across The Wash at low tide – a disastrous move. Whether due to the returning tide or the quicksand there, his baggage train and treasure were lost beneath the waves. This was the last disaster of a disastrous reign.
John’s health rapidly deteriorated and he headed for Newark Castle on a litter, reportedly ‘moaning and groaning’ that the journey was killing him. On arrival he confessed his sins and received Communion for the last time. He died on the night of 18/19 October in the middle of a great storm.
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Millie Thom 
The pictures are beautiful! I also enjoyed reading this! I’ve learned so much from you once again! Thanks for sharing, Millie! ❤ 🙂
Thank you Diana. It was a good display to watch. 🙂
That looks really cool! Nice history lesson too 🙂
Thanks, Ali. Regia Anglorum are very good, and aim to be as authentic as possible. They do Viking re-enactments, too – which I’ve yet to see. 🙂
I just know that you shared this just for me! You know how much I enjoy these photos and history of old English history! BTW. What kind of material would be used to too roof a castles parapet and the rooms below? Thanks Millie. : )
I’m pleased you like the post, William. Thank you. I love the Middle Ages, too. As for materials to roof a castle – most early castle roofs would likely have been either thatch or wood, although some of the castles built straight away from stone could have had roofs made of flat stone slabs.
Many early Norman castles were entirely wood and thatch (the motte and bailey style in particular) and were only later replaced by stone. The parapets around the top of the
castle wouldn’t have have had a roof. The inside walls of stone castles would have been stone. They hung great, thick tapestries to cover them and take away the cold look. 🙂
What amazing pictures of the castle and what is now left of it! What an amazing place to go! Thanks for sharing your pictures are so nice and the history of course! I love seeing the people and what they really did and how they lived!
Thanks, Lyn. Newark Castle was almost destroyed at the end of the Civil War in 1649, so there are only two curtain walls and the main gateway left. (I intend to do a post about it sometime soon). But it still looks good from across the R. Trent. The re-enactment was really good and very authentic. Regia Anglorum are excellent. I’ll get back to your posts as soon as our internet is sorted out later this week. I’m online now at one of my daughter’s, so I only have time to do a little ‘blogging’ today. I seem to be spending my time playing ‘catch up’ lately.
Have fun
Amazing! How gret must be to learn about new era in demonstrations. They looked detailed and had story in each tent. Loved the pics, good capture
Yes, re-enactments are excellent, Huma, and Societies like Regia Anglorum are always very authentic. I’m sure you’d love to watch them acting out the battles and displaying goods on their stalls. It’s a great way to find out how life was at the time. 🙂
I wish to witness it someday:) keep giving us tour around this magnificent world:-)
There’s so much of this world that I’d love to see, too, Huma. I think a lottery win would be the only way to do it all, though. (I suppose I might have a chance of that if I actually bought lottery tickets! LOL ) 🙂
Lol I agree. I never purchase lottery either
What wonderful photos – thank you so much for sharing them! I love all the re-enactors with their costumes and gear. I would have a hard time tearing myself away from all those displays!
I can see that this kind of event would be ‘right up your street’. I think the world you have created for your books is similar in many ways to life in the medieval period. Regia Anglorum are very authentic, too. The displays were superb.Thank you, Joy. 🙂
All your posts are wonderful, Millie, but I especially enjoyed this one. Great pics.
Thank you, Jack, that’s a kind thing to say. It was a good day
out, and well worth the visit. The weather stayed nice, too, which always makes a difference over here. The re-enactment was done very well, and I know that Regia Anglorum oride themselves on being authentic. They cover the Viking period, too, so I’ll have to look out for their next one.
I hope you are OK and back to full throttle now. We all have our ups and downs in life. Talk again soon. Keep well…
What a great adventure. I would have loved to see it in person. Thanks for sharing the pictures and the history with us. 🙂
Thank you, Susan. I think you would have really loved the re-enactment. it was very realistic. 🙂
OMG! What an interesting experience you had Millie! I felt like living in a story book when reading this post along with the pictures 😉 I’m happy that you posted so many pictures at once to make me experience what it is like to be there. Wonderful post! ❤
Thanks, Khloe. It was a really great ady out.
You’re welcome as always 🙂
Oh I love this post! Love reenacting! I posted a medieval theme post last summer too. So fascinating, and these people are really living their dream life.
Thank you.