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The Tudors

When Henry VII secured the Crown he brought to a close the bloody and violent Wars of the Roses. Under the Tudors England would enjoy a period of relative peace and great prosperity. Religion became a reason for war as, under Henry VIII, England became a Protestant nation and fought against its Catholic neighbours. This culminated, in 1588, with the threat of invasion by the Spanish Armada.

Using volunteers from our audience, our Hands on History Tudor demonstrations will show how a new weapon on the battlefield radically changed the way armies fought. The arrival of Blackpowder and the Gun forced rich knights in full plate armour off the battlefield and introduced the Pikeman and Musketeer who as poor men in cheap armour became ‘Cannon Fodder'. We end each demonstration by ‘firing' our cannon and mortar.

Then, in a controlled and safe manner, all ages can try our early Tudor full plate armour or Elizabethan Pikemans' and Musketeers' uniforms and breastplates.  Our swords, maces, war hammers and poleaxes are available for everyone to handle.  The public can also safely handle our deactivated early handguns.  Our trained staff will be on hand to help and answer any questions.

A visit to the Tudor camp will show how the ordinary soldier on campaign had to learn to look after himself and live by looting or foraging from the wild. Itinerant traders would follow the army and offer the off duty soldier everything from a chance to gamble to food and drink, but of course at a price.