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“Living” History
 Posted by Liz Bemis Nov 25 2009, 12:01 am in historical romance, muse, research My name is Liz and I’m a history geek. (anonymous crowd) “Hi Liz!” I have not always been a history geek, however. But those days are long gone. As it turns out, my beloved is also a history geek… and he’s shown me the way to really experience history. “A time machine?!” you might be asking. Sadly, no. But wouldn’t that be cool!? My way of experiencing history is almost as good. I joined a living history, outdoor drama & and battle reenactment group. Our group is dedicated to preserving history, entertaining the public and inspiring education. (I know this… it says so on our website
Suddenly, for me, history came alive! You could smell the gun powder fromt he Civil War reenactors’ rifles, hear the boon of the Revolutionary War reenactors’ canons, and feel the thundering of the horses hooves as the medieval armored warriors demonstrated with the German Landsknecht Pike Battalion. Add to that, cooking over a fire, living in a period-accurate tent (OK, so the air mattress wasn’t period accurate. But I’m no longer as young as I used to be and the idea of sleeping on the cold hard ground didn’t really fill me with a great deal of excitement!) and wearing period-accurate clothing, and suddenly I felt like I was there.
Later that summer, we did a reenactment closer to home, which involved a 300 year jump forward in time to the French & Indian War, which I’m sure we covered in 7th Grade History, but to be honest, I have almost no recollection of it what-so-ever. The entirety of my understanding of the F&I War was The Last of the Mohicans. (And really, who could be expected to pay any attention to the HISTORY when DANIEL DAY LEWIS was looking all cute and bare-chested and stuff?!) These events, along with a few others, have made me do a couple of things I swore I’d never do. The first: Write a Historical. Or maybe a time-travel. Or something where I can put all this good information to use. I’m noodling a couple of ideas, one which is an expanded version of the comedic murder mystery/joust show that I’m helping to develop for a show we’re doing this spring. (For the record, *I* will not be jousting. I will be the Marshal of the show, which is kind of like the ringleader on horseback. People crazier than me will be pointing their horses at one another whilst holding very large sticks.)
The second: get a horse. Now I think it should be pointed out, I grew up on a huge farm with a lot of horses (as well as pigs, sheep, cattle, goats, cats, dogs, and the occasional peacock), so it’s not like I’m unfamiliar. Upon graduation from high school, however, I brushed off the country dust and moved to the city where I have been ever since. So I never thought I’d be saying this… I own a horse. Meet Libby, my 14 year old Percheron mare, recently acquired from a Draft Horse rescue. I never expected to like history. I never expected to write historicals. And I never expected to have a horse again. And yet, now all three expectations have been zapped. And I’d like to tell you that I’ll never say never again. So what have you done that you thought you never would? Ever experienced history in a new and different way?
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) But more specifically, we spend weekends at a time, reliving time periods that most people only vaguely remember from history books.
Last summer, we took horses, tents, medieval weapons & clothes and trekked to Ft Meigs near Toledo, Ohio for “Muster on the Maumee”. There, participants recreated for the public war encampments and battle techniques of time periods from the Roman Legionnaires to present-day. We were part of the Medieval (War of the Roses) encampment.
I’m also a huge history geek–I believe it started when I read my first American Girl book when I was around nine years old.
In high school I longed to be an archeologist, but that didn’t end up happening. But I write historicals all the time now–I hardly ever write anything else. I’m also a little bit of an oddball in that I simply love walking through an old cemetery and reading the gravestone inscriptions. Some think it’s creepy, but just looking at the dates and wondering about the life of the person buried there sparks my imagination.
My passion also lies in writing about other cultures–especially Asian. I hope to someday travel to the area of Japan where I’m setting my two WiPs.
Hey, I do the cemetery thing too, Dara! I look at the dates and inscriptions and think about how old they were, who they left behind, whether there’s a whole family section in the graveyard–it all tells such an interesting (and often heartbreaking) story.
Dara — I’m with you on dates on headstones thing. It’s even better (for making up a story) to look at a grouping of headstones… you can get a feel for an entire family, just based on the dates that people were born and died… and the inscriptions on their stones. Thanks for joining us today!
Dara, your archaeology dream may not be as dead as you think it is. The archaeologists in my county (Anne Arundel, Maryland) welcome volunteers of all skill levels. We dig right along with the pros, learn how to set up a site and record findings, sift through dirt to look for small treasures, and work in the lab, cleaning and chronicling results.
Maybe your county offers the same program? Mine is very casual, and welcomes even the most occasional helper. It’s great research, if nothing else!
I love old cemeteries. I can spend hours in one. My husband doesn’t even think it’s weird, LOL. But yeah, I’m a history buff too, though I don’t write or even read historicals–no real reason–I need to change that.
Oh, darn, a trip to the bookstore….
While not a participant, I enjoy the Ren Faire. We go in costume and have such a wonderful time. Our Kate was the pirate wench one year, and I will say they sold a lot of swords when she was in charge! (Yes, I have pictures.)
History is the root from which all we are, have, and will be has sprung. Since the War of the Roses is my time frame, I would love to see what your group does with it.
And your Libby is beautiful. Great configuration. Heavily muscled. Perfect for carrying an armored knight!
Gwynlyn — I love the Ren Faire too! We went to the Bristol Ren Faire in Wisconsin around Labor Day. If you’ve never been, it’s AMAZING! It puts all the other faires I’ve ever been to to shame. (It’s ENORMOUS, and some ridiculous percentage — I want to say 80% — of the patrons dress up for it.) I’ve been to a number of other faires and they just don’t compare!
PS–Libby Is beautiful, isn’t she? She is a bit of a pork chop at this point, however. (She needs a diet almost as bad as her mama
) She’s pretty much just looking for a purpose in life. She used to compete in hunter/pace classes about two years ago. Her ground manners are currently… well, less than ideal. However, as soon as you give her a good workout, she’s a model of good behavior. She’s nosy (which is good for a horse who’s going to have to learn some new skills) and super smart and reasonably well trained… so I think she’s going to be fantastic! Thanks.
I love Ren fairs, too. The music department at my university used to hold an “Elizabethan Dinner” every year for the public, which I participated in (I played in an instrumental chamber music quartet). It was the highlight of my year, along with participating in our local rennaisance fair. Getting into those costumes and playing period music is a wonderful experience. I highly recommend everyone try it at least once.
How awesome! I’m fascinated by re-enactment groups, though I just don’t think I could stay in character long enough to get the full effect. Thanks for the wonderful pics.
I recently visited Plimouth Plantation (No, that’s not a misspelling. That’s how Bradford spelled it in his journal. I learned that too!) They do a wonderful job of recreating the original village in Plymouth. There are chickens wandering in the gardens and you can smell the smoke from the fires. I loved walking into all the homes and seeing how everything was laid out, picking up the bowls and opening trunks. The actors there stay in character and answer questions about life at the time. I kept on telling hubby it was better than Disneyland where everything is painted and glued down. Exploring the Mayflower II was similarly wonderful. It made me want to write a seafaring book.
Good luck on that historical! They’re so much fun to write.
Jeannie, depending on the event, we’re not always “in character” the entire time. I mean, we’re definitely dress and camp in period-accurate styles the whole time, no matter what the event, sometimes, when giving talks to the public, we speak kind of in the third person. Other events, we’re “in character” the whole time. (Ren faires especially)
Several years ago, our family went to Plimouth Plantation. Since we’re from New Mexico, it was very interesting to get the “English” approach to the “Spanish.” You’re right. The actors do stay in period character.
Oh, yeah, that never say never thing–the older you get, the more useless you learn it is to say that. ha.
I love history too, I bet it is awesome being part of the group. Love your horse too! How exciting!
Diana, thanks for joining us! And thanks for the kind words about my new “baby”.
{{{Bless you}}} for rescuing Libby and providing her with a loving home.
My dominant interest in history these days seems to be, what fell between the cracks? What DON’T we know? Which stories and experiences have been lost to time because the person or group who experienced them weren’t in a position to document their experiences because of socio-economic realities, persecution of various types, political power struggles and machinations… ?
I believe the saying “Winners write history” to be true. We only know part of our history, and I find that both sad and absolutely fascinating.
It gives those of us who write alternate history a LOT of room to work.
Tammy — I’m fortunate in that she was rescued from a sale (where her chubby little self could have fetched a reasonable price to become meat) and not from a bad home, so she’s never known abuse or neglect. The rescue had a number of horses who hadn’t been so fortunate, and it just ate at me that I couldn’t take them all home! And I agree with you on the “winners write history” thing!
Liz, congratulations on the addition of Libby to your lives! Wow, I read your post and just felt green with envy. I write medievals and I think I’d gain a lot from the kind of group your in. Alas, between family and work, I don’t have time right now, but maybe in a few years…In the meantime, I draw heavily on my fairly extensive camping experiences from my 20s. Not the same without the medieval gear, and it certainly doesn’t capture the battle re-enactments, but it’s what I’ve got for now.
Experiencing history in new ways…there’s nothing quite like *being* somewhere where major historical events have taken place. I grew up mostly in Texas and Florida, so moving to the mid-Atlantic was interesting because there’s all this Civil War and Revolutionary War history all over the place. There are little plaques up in every small town in Maryland and Virginia that descripe their corner of those wars. I had never really thought about either of those wars outside of my junior high history classes. But now that I live to close to Antietam, Gettysburg, and so much more, I do think about it.
Elise, even if you can’t participate in events like this, most of the time, they’re open to the public so you can attend them. If you go to the Smoke & Fire Website (http://www.smoke-fire.com/join-e-mail-local-events.htm) you can sign up to get local events emailed to you! And I’ve been to both Gettysburg and Antietam (and used to live in Manasas, VA). There’s nothing like being RIGHT THERE to feel the echoes of the booms of battle cannons!
Hey, Elise. Have you done the Illumination at Antietam yet? They do it once/year — first Saturday in December, so it’s next week. It’s incredibly moving and really puts into perspective just how many casualties there were at that battle.
http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm
Kudos on rescuing Libby. Last week, you got me to the rescue page. SO sad and yet so joyous–the way loving care brought these animals back from ill health.
I would love to spend a week doing the reenactment. It looks like so much fun. I love history. I love to read how people handled the simpliest of chores.
Great post. Enjoy that horse.
(((HUGS)))
AJ
Yes, even us contemporary romance girls are dorks! I’m so glad you’ve come out of the closet, Liz.
Did you make your own clothes for the event?
I’m not particularly a fan of European history. But I really enjoy American history. I really made me sad when publishers stopped buying them. I’d love to read a good Civil War romance. North against the South, how much more built-in conflict could you ask for?
Ooops. IT really made me sad.
I’ve wondered if part their fall from popularity stemmed from too many stories being in the “You Yankee/Reb” camp when there were so many ways the conflict could have been deepened. Anytime you have a war, you get a lot of turmoil in a society that stands existing norms on their heads, and that presents so many possibilities for conflict — class issues, for instance.
The 150th anniversary of the Civil War begins in about 1 1/2 years. Be nice to think that would create a renewed interest in the CW-era.
Liz, Beautiful, beautiful horse and I know you are thrilled! I’ve been feeding my inner history dork with my current WIP, despite the fact that I’m a paranormal girl at heart. But variety is good for the soul!
I look forward to seeing your troupe do a reenactment soon! Keep us posted on dates as they become available!
Jenn
Liz,
How talented you are. I also love history but I’d say more modern history.
Does going to Jamestown on a rainy, muddy with 100 4th graders count as experiencing history in a new way? ‘Cuz that’s what I did yesterday…
Years ago, dh and I used to volunteer as extras during the holidays at a nearby plantation. Not as much commitment as joining a re-enactment group (I was a church organist at the time, so I was busy most weekends), but allowed us to play dress up and pretend to live in a different century.
Oops, make that a rainy, muddy DAY
Liz, what a lovely post (and what gorgeous pictures). Piqua (Ohio) just had their annual Heritage Festival, which included reenactors, as well as different encampments for various historical groups. It was amazing to see the camps. And what a treat for my children to get a glimpse of what life was like.
And Libby is beautiful. How lucky she is to have you.
LOVE history! Great post, Liz! This sounds like so much fun. I wish I could come watch you guys.
Oooo, glorious!! Love the pictures! That sounds like incredible fun. And it’s great to see gorgeous Libby.
(And a guy in armor on horseback…)
I love history. I’m a History Channel junkie. It’s the only reason I bought cable. Seriously.
In England, I was in history heaven. I used to be a busker at country faires. We’d dress up in 17th century costume and sing songs written by Henry VIII. Too fun. History is waste deep in Europe. You can’t get away from it. I lived down the road from a 13 century watch tower and an old Viking settlement. Now I live out in the middle of nowhere. But I got the history channel. Yay!
Your horse is gorgeous. You’ll look fabulous riding around giving the crowd a show. I’m jealous. I wanna ride around on a horse in costume.
Liz:
What a fun post! And isn’t it amazing how much fun history can be when we’re engaged with the learning?!!
Libby is beautiful – she’s so lucky to have found you!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Addison
Liz, I love Libby! She’s beautiful. Thank you for choosing to rescue, too.
Dara, I think you and I have a lot of people to meet in the cemetaries. LOL Fortunately, even my hubby loves to do this.
What a great post, Liz! Libby’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures and story.
Um, if you were gonna call her Libby, couldn’t she have been a sleek, exotic Arabian?????
Although Percherons are pretty cool, just really big.