Getting knocked on the head (accidentally) by a spear at the end of the photoshoot, truly provided me with the full experience of the Lancaster University Living History Society. The Living History Society is a community, instantly recognisable with the shields and long spears they’d carry around campus. Fatally, in a battle with the progression of my practice, I actively craved to find a community that was interesting, high energy, entertaining with a degree of aesthetic value but most of all something that held passion and dedication at the forefront of their morals. The Lancaster Living History Society became that ‘something’ for me.
Passion and dedication were certainly central to crafts nights, which took place on a Thursday between 7:00- 10:00 pm. Members would hand-make their weaponry and hand-stitched clothing. From the moulding of the wooden shield to the painting of the icon yellow complemented by the red ‘Lancas- ter flower’. Every screw, leather stitch, and metal work was done with the uttermost delicacy and historic acracy (to the best of their ability). Astoundingly, it wasn’t long until I was put to work, stitching leather pouches together with my fellow leather smiths.
Combat was the second event of the week, where members
are trained in martial arts, to attack and fall safely in a way to retain performance value. However, during the week I visited, I was blessed with photographing a special event that not only included the immediate society but also the wider Lancashire community, at the local Williamson Park. Full combat attire: helmets, weaponry, and the infamous shields, paired with combat rituals, and chants in French to reflect historic accuracy.
are trained in martial arts, to attack and fall safely in a way to retain performance value. However, during the week I visited, I was blessed with photographing a special event that not only included the immediate society but also the wider Lancashire community, at the local Williamson Park. Full combat attire: helmets, weaponry, and the infamous shields, paired with combat rituals, and chants in French to reflect historic accuracy.
Filled the day with a whole lot of passion and truly transported you into medieval England. As I arrived ready for battle, my only challenger of the day consisted of navigating and photographing the scene at a distance, bounded by the ‘ropes’ put in place to prevent spectators from getting too close to the action. However, during the one-to-one combat, I was able to get more intimate images with the assistance of a personal bodyguard, Freya.
Dedication, skill, and creativity go into cultivating their staged performances. They are a close-knit community, one that doesn’t just do it for personal interests and enjoyment, but gift their passion and knowledge to others, playing a massive role in educating the younger generation across the UK, through sensory and visual performances. They are researchers, who have even published books and journals contributing valuable research into the niche areas of 12th-century history. Such as the daily lives of ‘hermits’ or exposing the unique rituals of nuns. They are the model for every society and community, a community that gains enjoyment in ensuring their work benefits others.
Artistically, collaborating with the Living History Society stands as one of my favourite collections of images to date. Predominantly, I decided to work with black and white 35mm film, fascinated by the idea of preserving a historic ambience that is visually produced through the texture, grain, and striking contrasts of the film. Although, if this experience was entirely historically accurate the presence of advanced technology like the camera, would have sent the hue and cry into a witch-hunting frenzy.
Seeing the passion and enthusiasm within this society made it feel as though I was on a medieval battlefield, armed with my ‘sword’ (a camera) and my shield (Freya).
