A Year in the Life . . . The Village Fair

WING

Ah, I had heard so much about Wing during the previous year, how the streets were lined with pubs and. . . .well, I suppose the pubs seemed to be the focus of the conversations. Unfortunately this was yet another event I was obliged to turn up for only one day. I plumped for the Friday. My logic was that there would be more socialising that night rather than on Saturday. I was wrong. But more on that later

Leaving Blackwater on Friday, 4pm was (in hindsight) a daft idea, as the traffic going `round the M25 and more importantly joining the M1, was obscene. I should have guessed from tales Kevin, our group leader told me, of nightmarish Friday evening journeys. Never again!. Either I go up straight after Friday lunchtime, or I go on the Saturday morning (but that has its own pitfalls). In the end, by the time I got there and had put up my tent, it was gone nine.

Kevin and Liz weren't going to be there due to a mechanical problem with their Land Rover, so I was prepared to be amongst strangers. Fortunately both Simons and Matt was there. Matt (a keen drinker) and I both had the mind to get to the pub quickly, as the light was diminishing quickly at the same rate that our thirst was increasing. However the mysterious "things" that women do coupled with random conversations with infrequently met friends delayed the pleasure of alcohol more and more. So much more, that I left Matt (whom I had thought of as being a kindred spirit in the boozing club) and went to the pub myself and downed a swift pint or two before emerging to see the others finally gathering together themselves to join me. We took over the dining area (all of four tables) and drank the night away. I drank rather energetically compared to them and was in a rather jolly frame of mind by the time I crawled into my tent. Jolly good pub that! I just wish I could remember it's name!

Please note: I don't want you all to think all I like to do in Regia is drink, drink and drink - it is a glorious pastime and an essential part of male bonding - and without other forms of entertainment nothing more is inspiring for unique topics of conversation than five pints of real ale!

It was during the following morning's (very fine) pub breakfast, that I learnt of my mistake of arriving on a Friday. The pub whose hospitality I had frequented was donating a barrel of real ale (Green King IPA, I believe) to the group. Free beer! Free Beer? I missed out on free beer? Oh well, how was I to know? Coping with the disappointment quite well, I reminded those (very) few people who were allegedly organising the event, that the barrel was awaiting delivery and swiftly changed into Regia kit. I helped (someone) beat into the iron hard ground vast quantities of wooden stakes, and as the temperature rose steadily to the late 80's, we settled down to an informal practise session. It was still rather quiet on the public front, when we were called to join the parade. We were placed towards the front of the parade directly behind a group of pipers, who were leading the procession. Matt spent most of the time trying to scare children and women, whilst I was attempting to be the proper upstanding member of Regia Anglorum that I always aspire to be. I've got plenty of time to develop a Regia personality (though I am sure that Matt's Viking personality is all his own!) It was a long slog around the backstreets of Wing, by which time I had firmly decided to do some adjustments to my second hand shoes (bought at Kirby Hall the previous year). Several cans of fizz later, the event was about to begin.

The theme of this "battle" was to be a group of Vikings asking tribute from a small settlement (the Living History site). This small settlement basically tells them to "soddeth offeth" and a battle commences. The only real points of note worth mentioning, is that firstly, a hit point system was trialled, whereby unarmoured (squishies) get one hit - in the normal approved areas, and the armoured fellows in chain, would need three hits in the appropriate areas for them to go down. The obvious outcome from this, is that on the whole, only the armoured men survived the fight.

Secondly, a Dane axe system of shield destruction was enforced, where if the axe was swung realistically, then the owner of the shield which was struck, would be required to dispose of said shield as soon as possible, whilst role- playing having it smashed. This was brought about because of the crap way Dane axes were used in the past. They were wielded like glorified spears. Hardly befitting a weapon of mass destruction I anyone's opinion! The only modifications to their use, is that the wielder must wear full armour and have their shield strapped to their back if they insist on carrying one.

The actual battle lasted quite a while and was thoroughly enjoyable - one of the more rewarding fights I had been in so far. Part of the added enjoyment was getting to know the other regulars better and better!

This is what Regia is all about.