Reenacting in the United Kingdom

[wilber6150]

Hi list,
I was just wondering if our UK members who reenact could post how the Civil war is thought of over there..We always hear comments about what the war was about here in the states and other things as we reenact here in the states, so Im just wondering what the masses say about this period over there..

[sf46]

Good question, and I'm curious as well.

[Oxkern]

Good question folks. Forgive the delay in replying, and the somewhat scattergun nature of what follows, but I've been otherwise occupied these last few days

When people hear I re-enact the ACW, after I've painstakingly explained that I'm neither Cavalier nor Roundhead (and am not too keen on pikestaffs anyway), the next question that usually follows is why we are do American history. Many people aren't aware of the large connections between these isles and the period, and it's always fun to explain those .

I think attitudes to the war probably vary depending on how much prior knowledge someone has. Certainly, most know about Lincoln and abolition, but there's also a lot of sympathy for the rebels. I don't remember being taught the period at school, but I suppose most people just get influences from American TV and movies etc. Most people I speak to have some idea of north and south, blue and grey, but I remember being stuck for words when asked by a five year old who we yanks were fighting.

The public who watch our battles and visit us at events are always interesed by what we do, and hopefully go away having learnt something whilst having an enjoyable day out. I might start asking people next year what they know or think about the war before going into my usual spiel. I only lay on the bias if a Confederate is nearby, and if so I usually do it good naturedly.

If I think of anything else I'll post again.

[ole]

Many thanks.

Ole

[larry_cockerham]

Oxkern, that was a terribly interesting response. It sounds very much like what we experience here in the land where the Confederacy once existed. (In our hearts, I suppose, it still does, though rationally we know better.) The responses and dumb stares we receive from many of our audiences are much the same as you describe. That's why we go to the trouble; it's an effort to keep the scant remnant of knowledge about this period alive. If we don't do it, no one else will. What's important here is that our grandchildren learn that our nations were part of a very long and arduous struggle that goes on today and well deserves our attention and more importantly, theirs.

[wilber6150]

Good question folks. Forgive the delay in replying, and the somewhat scattergun nature of what follows, but I've been otherwise occupied these last few days

When people hear I re-enact the ACW, after I've painstakingly explained that I'm neither Cavalier nor Roundhead (and am not too keen on pikestaffs anyway), the next question that usually follows is why we are do American history. Many people aren't aware of the large connections between these isles and the period, and it's always fun to explain those .

I think attitudes to the war probably vary depending on how much prior knowledge someone has. Certainly, most know about Lincoln and abolition, but there's also a lot of sympathy for the rebels. I don't remember being taught the period at school, but I suppose most people just get influences from American TV and movies etc. Most people I speak to have some idea of north and south, blue and grey, but I remember being stuck for words when asked by a five year old who we yanks were fighting.

The public who watch our battles and visit us at events are always interesed by what we do, and hopefully go away having learnt something whilst having an enjoyable day out. I might start asking people next year what they know or think about the war before going into my usual spiel. I only lay on the bias if a Confederate is nearby, and if so I usually do it good naturedly.

If I think of anything else I'll post again.

Thank you sir, its always good to know what our English cousins are thinking about across the pond.. From the sounds of it seems like spectators are the same no matter where you reenact at.. lol