The Chapel at King’s College, Old Aberdeen, has been threatened with attack this weekend (Saturday, October 3) by a group of Scottish soldiers armed with muskets, pikes and cannon. And the North-east public has been invited to watch the action unfold.
But there is no need to panic as the assault will be a mock one carried out by the Sealed Knot Society, a North-east civil war re-enactment group, and the White Cockade Society, a Jacobite re-enactment group, as part of the history department’s Living History Day, War and Rebellion in Scotland.
The drama will unfold on the lawn at King’s and is just one event in an exciting programme of
re-enactments, hands-on demonstrations, creative fun activities for children, book exhibits, tours of the University and talks which have been organised as part of the history department’s centenary celebrations.
Visitors to the open day will be given an insight of what life was like in a military camp during the early modern period as the two re-enactment groups, dressed in authentic 17th and 18th century costumes, perform the legendary ‘Highland charge’ and a mock assault on the Chapel. Members of the public will also be given the opportunity to interact with them.
As well as the historical re-enactment, there will be a chance to meet and chat to Mike Loades, a historical consultant and fight director for a variety of TV channels. He will dress up in suits of Norman mail and medieval plate while highlighting the significance of armour throughout the Middle Ages. He will also give a talk about the various weapons used in medieval battles.
Dr Jane Ohlmeyer, history lecturer and event organiser, said the day promised to be great fun for all the family.
“On the 20 October, it will be one hundred years since Professor C Sanford Terry delivered the first lecture in history at the University. To mark this very special anniversary, we have organised a whole host of events which will take place over the next year,” she said.
“History is a fascinating subject which has had a role to play in everyone’s life, and we hope that through our programme we will bring the subject alive for everyone, no matter what age they are or where they are from. History can be great fun as we will demonstrate on Saturday.”
The Living History Day will be open to everyone and will take place from 2-5pm. Parking will be free at the University campus. Snacks and refreshments will also be on sale.
Living History Day: War and Rebellion in Scotland
Historical Re-enactment, (2-5pm):- the Sealed Knot Society and the White Cockade Society will perform on the grass area in front of Elphinstone Hall. The groups, dressed in authentic 17th and 18th century costumes, will provide an insight of what life was like in a military camp during the early modern period. They will perform the legendary ‘highland charge’ and a mock assault on King’s College. Visitors will have an opportunity to interact with them and watch them fire their muskets.
Warfare in the Middle Ages by Mike Loades, Historical Consultant and Fight Director for a variety of TV channels, (2.15-5pm, Regent Lecture Theatre):
2.15-3.30pm: ‘Armour in the Middle Ages’ – help Mike Loades dress in suits of Normal mail and medieval plate armour and learn about the significance of armour throughout the Middle Ages.
4.00-4.45pm: ‘Fighting in the Middle Ages’ – Mike Loades will give a talk about the various weapons used in medieval battles. He’ll have lots of weapons on display as well.
Illustrated talks on various aspects of war and rebellion in Scotland and England, (2.30pm-5pm, New Kings 1 Lecture Theatre):
2.30-3.00pm: Dr David Ditchburn, ‘Robert the Bruce and the Wars of Independence’.
3.15-3.45pm: Dr Jane Ohlmeyer, ‘Civil War in Scotland during the mid-seventeenth century’.
4.00-4.30pm: Professor Allan Macinnes, ‘Scotland and the Jacobites’.
Tours of the University (University Chapel): Dr Grant Simpson will offer tours of the University. Meet at the main entrance of the Chapel at 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Alex Green will also give brief tours of the Chapel throughout the afternoon.
Hands on History (New Kings 3): Staff from the National Museum of Scotland Marischal College Museum will provide interactive displays for children of all ages. There will be an opportunity to handle artefacts dating from the medieval and early modern periods and to try out the latest computer technology from the National Museum.
Creative and fun activities for younger children (New Kings 11): Younger children will have the opportunity to try on 17th and 18th century costumes, to make swords and shields and to ‘volunteer’ for service in either the covenanting or Jacobite armies. They might also like to throw sponges at ‘criminals’ in the stocks. Feel free to dress up for the afternoon and don’t forget to bring your swords and shields!
Book Exhibits (New Kings 9): There will be an opportunity to buy lots of history books at the Blackwells book display.