Performing Arts : Historical Reenactments

Historical reenactment is a type of role play in which participants attempt to recreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett’s Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as general as interacting with others at a Renaissance faire.  Activities related to "reenactment" have a long history. The Romans staged recreations of famous battles within their amphitheaters for spectators to re-live.  In the Middle Ages, tournaments often reenacted historical themes from Ancient Rome or elsewhere. In the nineteenth century, reenactments were popular in a number of countries.  Even Christmas pageants, Buffalo Bill Wild West shootouts, muzzle loading and rendezvous events are loose interpretations of history.  But for the hobbyist, historical reenactment goes far beyond preparation for an annual event—it can become a lifestyle. 

The Actors

If you are reading this article, there is very likely a period of history that interests you greatly.  Whether your interests center around period of the Norman Invasion, Henry the Eighth, or even the Titanic, there is most likely a group meeting somewhere to share these passions. Most reenactors are amateurs who pursue reenactment as a hobby.   Participants within this hobby are extremely diverse. The ages of participants range from young children whose parents bring them along to events, to the elderly. Among adult participants, people from all different walks of life can be found - college students, firefighters, lawyers, members of the armed forces, doctors, and even professional historians.

Reasons given for participating vary. Some participants are interested in getting a historical perspective on a particular period or war, particularly if they can trace their ancestry back to an individual or individuals who were involved.  Others participate for the escape that such events offer.

Some types of actors are not so fondly called "Farbs" or "polyester soldiers" are reenactors who spend relatively little of their time or money maintaining authenticity with regard to uniforms, accessories, or even period behavior. The 'Good Enough' attitude is pervasive among farbs, although even casual observers may be able to point out flaws. Blue jeans, tennis shoes, polyester (and other man-made fabrics), zippers, velcro, snoods, and modern cigarettes are common issues.  The origin of the word "farb" (and the derivative adjective "farby") is unknown, though it appears to date to early American Civil War centennial reenactments in 1960 or 1961.  Some think that the origin of the word is a truncated version of "Far be it from authentic."  An alternative definition is "Far Be it for me to question/criticize" or "Fast And Researchless Buying."   Some early reenactors assert the word derives from German “farbe,” or color, because inauthentic reenactors were over-colorful compared with the dull blues, greys or browns of the real Civil War uniforms, which were the principal concern of American reenactors at the time the word was coined.  According to Mr. Burton K. Kummerow, a member of "The Black Hats, CSA" reenactment group in the early 1960s, he first heard it used as a form of fake German to describe a fellow reenactor. The term was picked up by George Gorman of the 2nd North Carolina at the Centennial Manassas Reenactment in 1961, and has been used by reenactors ever since.

Another group of reenactors often is called "Mainstream." These reenactors are somewhere between farb and authentic. They are more common than either farbs or authentics.  Most mainstream reenactors make an effort at appearing authentic, but may come out of character in the absence of an audience. Visible stitches are likely to be sewn in a period-correct manner, but hidden stitches and undergarments may not be period-appropriate. Food consumed before an audience is likely to be generally appropriate to the period, but it may not be seasonally and locally appropriate. Modern items are sometimes used "after hours" or in a hidden fashion. The common attitude is to put on a good show, but that accuracy need only go as far as others can see.

                At the other extreme from farbs are "hard-core authentics", "authenticity nazis" or "progressives," as they prefer to be called.  Sometimes derisively called "stitch counters" or even "stitch nazis", many people have misconceptions about hardcore reenactors, which spawn from a published book about hardcore reenactors, Confederates in the Attic.  Hard-cores generally seek an "immersive" reenacting experience, trying to live, as much as possible, as someone of the period might have. This includes eating seasonally and regionally appropriate food, sewing inside seams and undergarments in a period-appropriate manner, and staying in character throughout an event.  Hard-core reenactors generally value thorough research and sometimes deride mainstream reenactors for perpetuating inaccurate "reenactorisms."  However, they are also known to carry this to extremes for periods where archaeological or historical data is lacking, for example refusing to accept items that are known to have been used in earlier and later periods but which have no known evidence for their specific period.

 Types of Events

The term “living history” describes attempts to bring history to life for the general public. Historical reenactment includes a continuum from well researched attempts to recreate a known historical event for educational purposes, through representations with theatrical elements, to competitive events for purposes of entertainment. The line between amateur reenactment and presentations at living history museums can be blurred as, while the latter routinely utilize museum professionals and trained interpreters to help convey the story of history to the public, some museums and historic sites employ reenactment groups with high standards of authenticity for the same role at special events.

Living histories are meant entirely for education of the public. Such events do not necessarily have a mock battle but instead are aimed at portraying the life, and more importantly the lifestyle, of people of the period. This often includes both military and civilian camps. Occasionally, storytelling or acting sketches take place to involve or explain the camps background to the viewing public. More common are craft and cooking demonstrations, song and leisure activities, and lectures. Combat training or duels can also be encountered even when larger combat demonstrations are not present.  In the United States, living history is the only reenactment permitted on National Park Service land; however, NPS policy does not allow for battle reenactments on any of its land.

Many castles, museums, and other historical tourist attractions employ actors or professional reenactors as part of the experience. These usually address the recreation of a specific town, village, or activity within a certain time frame. Commercial reenactment shows are usually choreographed and follow a script.  Some locations have set up permanent authentic displays. By their nature, these are usually living history presentations, rather than tactical or battle reenactment, although some host larger temporary events.

Scripted battles are reenactment in the strictest sense; the battles are planned out beforehand so that the companies and regiments make the same actions that were taken in the original battles. They are often fought at or near the original battle ground or at a place very similar to the original. These demonstrations vary widely in size from a few hundred fighters to several thousand, as do the arenas used (getting the right balance can often make or break the spectacle for the public).

 The Old South in the U.S. provides excellent scenarios for reenactments of true battles on their own turf.  Reenacting the American Civil War began even before the real fighting had ended. Civil War veterans recreated battles as a way to remember their fallen comrades and to teach others what the war was all about.  The Great Reunion of 1913, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, was attended by more than 50,000 Union and Confederate veterans and included reenactments of elements of the battle, including Pickett's Charge.  Modern reenacting is thought to have begun during the 1961–1965 Civil War centennial commemorations.  Reenacting grew in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, due in large part to the success of the 125th Anniversary reenactment near the original Manassas battlefield, which was attended by more than 6,000 reenactors.  That year, Time magazine estimated that there were more than 50,000 reenactors in the U.S.  In 1998, the 135th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg took place near the original battlefield. There have been several estimates on the number of participants, but it is widely agreed that it was the largest re-enactment ever held anywhere in the world, with between 30,000 and 41,000 re-enactors participating. This event was watched by about 50,000 spectators.

A highly popular type of reenactment is that of the Renaissance period.  Though festivals are generally highly commercialized, there are hard core devotees who let down (or braid) their hair for the events, which are held usually on weekends across the country.  Staged jousting events attended by exquisitely dressed royalty and court members are considered the highlights of the day, and actors representing the gamut of the social classes are continually in character while on site.  Camelot and Robin Hood are very popular themes at these festivals, though pirates have worked their way into the mix since the advent of Pirates of the Caribbean.  While it is usually very easy to tell the actors from many of the patrons at Renaissance festivals (ticket-paying guests, even in costume, will usually insist on sporting their shades, tennis shoes, watches, baseball caps, and cell phones), there are the devout few who have done their research so well that they might as well be at cast call.  Street musicians often play period instruments, such as lutes and harp.  But again, you will be much more likely to see more “modern” instruments, such as guitars.

Another popular activity for enthusiasts throughout the U.S. is something called a “Rendezvous.”  It is generally geared to reenact the days of the mountain man and fur trading.  Here is a website announcement/introduction for a 2010 Colorado Rendezvous event:

“Events and activities usually include blackpowder shooting, knife and hawk throws, woods walks, and in some years have included trap setting and/or frying pan tossing competitions.  A potluck dinner is often the social event for one evening, followed by an auction to benefit the fort.  After dinner there is singing story-telling and making merry, or just sitting around a campfire, while quietly enjoying the companionship friends, the smell of wood smoke and the soft glow of the candle lanterns.  

The theme of these rendezvous in general is the Mountain Men and the Fur Trade.  There are no hard historical standards enforced for the rendezvous and parties representing F&I through the Civil War can often be found.  The rendezvous site is large enough that everyone can set up a camp that meets their own standards and be free to associate with the others as they will.  For many participants comfort is an important aspect, and it often seems that the rule for these folks is: "If it would have fit in a Dearborn wagon, they would have brought it."  One rule that is universally observed by participants is that if it is modern, it either stays inside the lodge, or is kept under a blanket.”

Getting Started

The best place to start (as with most hobbies) is to gather information.  Read books and use the internet to get detailed information on the experiences the people of “your” period lived out on a day-to-day basis.  Learn what was important to them.  Watch movies and plays to get a good feel for speech patterns and inflections, and study what they are wearing to see what sort of clothing would suit you.  There are patterns and websites all over where you can get ideas and put together plans for your first costume.  Depending on how period-proper you want to be, you may find yourself stitching by hand!

Practice your skill at doing various period-specific activities.  For example, if you choose a culture that hunted with bows, find a place to practice archery (preferably with a long bow).  If black powder was the method in use at the time, find a place to purchase a replica and a location for shooting (not all ranges allow black powder shooting).  If you want to learn to spin, start by learning to card wool and make it into yarn.  Don’t let your location stop you--most of these things are easy to find on the internet.  If you want to learn to fence or fight with swords, take a class or get connected with your local Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) (more on them later). 

Costuming

Costuming will all depend on your character, of course.  A simple peasant’s shirt and a doublet are going to cost you far less time and money than the rich brocades of royalty and generals.  Also, whether or not you’re able to sew your own might make a difference.  Often, though, it’s not so much the materials as it is the complexity that will matter.  Leather and thick clothing will require special needles.  Items that require a lot of gathering (as opposed to the straighter lines of Medieval clothing) will need more attention.  It is sometimes just best to leave it to the pros and order, either from a catalogue or online.  Various stores brag of their ability to produce period-perfect clothing for LARP (for live Action Role Play).  Numerous cottage industries abound that provide not only the materials but even the finished product for use by reenactors. Uniforms and clothing made of hand woven, natural dyed materials are sewn by hand or machine using the sartorial techniques of the period portrayed.

Detailed attention to authenticity in design and construction is given equally as well to headgear, footwear, eyewear, camp gear, accoutrements, military equipment, weapons and so on. These items (which are generally much more expensive than clothing and uniform in modern production) offer the wearer a life-like experience in the use of materials, tailoring and manufacturing techniques that are as close to authentic as possible.

Event spectators may derive more satisfaction from attending reenactments when a high level of authenticity is attained in both individual clothing and equipment, as well as equipment used in camp.

Swords and Firearms

                Much care must be taken in what is used (or more importantly not used) in historical reenactments.  While realistic is very good, real can result in some very harmful mishaps.  Canon fire has been known to set dry fields ablaze during civil war demonstration, and real weapons should never be using more than blanks.  Western action shooting can have its drawbacks, as well; a horse is likely to shy from gunfire of any sort.  An organized group of reenactors must be in touch with land owners and fire marshals to get permission to perform.  All sword play and fencing should be done will dull weapons for obvious reasons.  

                “Combat reenactment has an emphasis on maintaining the balance between accuracy and safety. For example, the recreation of the American Civil War battles are very strongly regulated and may involve safety wear and of blanks, despite their historical inaccuracy. Combat reenactment seeks not only to recreate the martial history of them but to also educate people about the respect and proper handling of dangerous weapons.”  (From “The Reenactor” website.)

Resources and Networking

As mentioned earlier, the Society for Creative Anachronism is pretty much the “industry standard” for reenactments.  The SCA has a highly structured system for incorporating members from all over the world, especially those interested in Medieval and Renaissance reenactments.  There are recognized “kingdoms” of members from all over the world, and the SCA program provides opportunities for tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dances, and workshops.  It is here you can learn to prepare traditional foods, learn how to handle heavy weaponry, write sonnets, make candles, and pretty much anything else that would be of value to someone living during Medieval or Renaissance times.

    Men and women can join various Civil War reenactment units and companies through the Civil War Reenactment Headquarters online (probably the only place where you can enlist with a Civil War commander with an e-mail address!).  There are groups all along the east coast, in the deep south, and even as far west as Missouri and Colorado.

Other groups available as resources specialize in the following areas, and they can be found on the internet:  World War I, World War II, Wars of the Roses, Napoleonic Wars, Colonial New Zealand Wars, 1814 from the UK perspective, 1186 to 1188 dedicated to Middle Eastern, Christian, and Muslim traditions, Tudor and Medieval, Dark Ages, English Civil War, Ancient Greece, British Regency, period living and primitive wilderness survival skills for the years 1680-1760 in the New World, southern Germany from late antiquity to Charlemagne, and Vikings and Normans circa 400 to 1200.

A Day in the Life