Crafts with the Milites de Bec

With the Milites de Bec you don't just have the opportunity to fight: A whole range of civilian activities are open to you too.  From archery to horse riding, to authentic crafts and even the construction of an Anglo-Saxon longhall and village.  We can offer you an opportunity to try out a huge range of crafts.

Here is a sample of what we offer: 

Archery: Learn to shoot using period bows.  Perfect your aim using the early mediaeval longbow and take part in competitions for prizes at shows. At some shows there is even the chance of using fire arrows for ship burnings. Release the pyromaniac in you. Go on. You know you want to.

Ecclesiastical activities: For those interested in portraying the clergy in the 10th and 11th centuries, you can take part in the ecclesiastical activities (note: all such activities are dramatic representations only).  Through our national society of Regia Anglorum, you can train to portray a period monk, nun, priest or maybe even bishop.

Horse riding: As part of the horse riding activities, you can take part in the displays of horse riding skill as a civilian at shows. From archery to cabbage slicing, you can do it all from the (relative) comfort of horseback. But be prepared to put in a lot of work.

Wychurst: If you're an escapist who loves being outdoors, but equally rather likes having a roof over their head at night, we can help. Imagine a clearing in a peaceful English forest. Nestled there, in an enclosure is a majestic longhall, lovingly built over the past few years. By day the woods and site are filled with milling craftsmen and sparring warriors. By night the fire burns merrily in the hearth with a cauldron of steaming stew and freshly baked bread, whilst music and stories fill the air. In a small patch of woodland 20 minutes outside of Canterbury, is Wychurst. Come and join us there for training in the woods or crafts and camping around the hearth. Once a month you can also help us with the construction project.  This is a very exciting long term project which we are proud to be a part of.

But remember, this is only part of what we can offer.  If you have something that you wish to do that we have not mentioned then feel free to ask about it.  Chances are that even if we cannot do it ourselves we know someone who can.