The Free Company of Aquitaine

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The Free Company of Aquitaine

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Late 14th Century Warbow Display Team A free company was a late medieval army of mercenaries acting independently of any government and thus "free".

The Free Company of Aquitaine was formed in 2011 by a group of archers who shared a common interest in the medieval warbow, and who wished to keep alive the legacy of the medieval military archer through the research, practice and demonstration of the skills required to shoot the bows made famous by English and Welsh archers during the period later known as the Hundred Years' War (1337 - 1453). The term "free company" is most often applied to those companies of soldiers which formed in France & Italy after the Peace of Brétigny of 1360. Aquitaine is a region in the South-West of France which became an English possession from 1154 after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II. It remained so until the end of the Hundred Years' War during which it was often the focus of intense fighting. Our group represents a typical band of English archers & men-at-arms that may have sought employment in such a company in Aquitaine during the late 14th century.

09/10/2026

Here is a collection of the best photos from a fabulous 5 days spent at Crécy this August for the 680th anniversary. Thanks to our very own Andy Smith for the majority of these wonderful photos.

05/10/2026

The crew, with good friends John & Liz, outside the Church of Saint-Séverin in Crécy for the 680th anniversary commemorations. It was here on the Sunday that we attended a service in honour of Jean de Luxembourg, the blind king of Bohemia, who fell during the battle in 1346. More photos to follow when I receive them.

20/09/2026

Only 4 days after our return from Crécy (photos still being sorted) there was little time to relax before we were once again on the road, this time to Michelham Priory in East Sussex, the last show on our calendar. Despite a Saturday of heavy rain and some of the worst winds we have ever experienced while on camp the weather Gods relented for the rest of the bank holiday weekend and we were blessed with some beautiful mornings to bring our incredible season to a close.

17/09/2026

With the end of the season I finally have time to catch up with some photos from the last few events of the summer. Here are the best from the Shrewsbury Medieval Festival, held at the end of July.

13/09/2026

For those that were not able to join us for the 680th anniversary of the Battle of Crecy I have put together this little film. There was much more to the event than I was able to capture, but walking around in 14th century attire while holding a 21st century video camera rather spoils the ambiance! Regardless, I hope that what I did manage to film gives a flavour of a magical few days we enjoyed in France.

06/09/2026

Our 2026 season has now drawn to a close and in all my 24 years of re-enacting I can say with confidence that it has been my most enjoyable year to date. It has been a year of change; seasoned members took a step back, new recruits joined and roles were adapted. We had prolonged heatwaves and exceptional storms yet throughout, the group has grown in confidence, professionalism and togetherness. What we have now we are rightfully very proud of. The highlight of the year was undoubtedly our involvement in the 680th anniversary of the Battle of Crecy. 11 years ago, we reasonably assumed we had reached our peak at Agincourt600, but due to the hard work and passion of Florent Décamps, his tremendous team of volunteers, the townspeople of Crecy and the hundreds of incredible fellow re-enactors from across western Europe who came together to support this event, we experienced a new high that will be hard to beat. To everyone that has been a part of that year, to old friends and new, I say a heartfelt thank you. My love of medieval history introduced me to this wonderful hobby but is the people I have met along the way that ensures I will continue to do this for many more years to come.

20/07/2026

As faithful archers to the memory of King Henry V it is only natural that we should support the House of Lancaster in its time of need. That time will come this weekend (25th – 26th July) with the Shrewsbury Medieval Festival and its recreation of the Battle of Shrewsbury where, in 1403, the royal army of Henry IV defeated the rebel army of Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy and where prince Henry (later Henry V) famously received his arrow wound to the face (despite appearances not everyone in medieval England was called Henry!) With 2 days of battles, markets and medieval living history it is a favourite of ours and one we hope you will join us for. (image by Graham Turner)

06/07/2026

The beautiful and historic town of Monmouth, set in a picturesque landscape of forested rolling hills, once again punched above its weight to put on a terrific medieval festival that was exceptionally well run and supported by locals and council alike. With a footfall of over 2,500 on the Saturday alone we sweltered under a fierce sun while eating local fish & chips, drank local scrumpy c***r, caught up with our friends in the Freemen of Gwent, watched some very good displays of arming of the knight (one by our very own Rob Jones), enjoyed displays of falconry and chatted for hours to hundreds of wonderful public, some local and some coming from all over south Wales and even further afield. Here is a very small taste of what we got up to this past weekend.

28/06/2026

This coming weekend we are thrilled to be returning after a 2-year hiatus to the Monmouth Medieval Festival, a quick 2-mile hop over the border into Wales, armed with our English bows, not Welsh, a topic of conversation that never fails to delight the locals. ;) This charming little free event is situated in Vauxhall Fields, a short walk from the ruined castle, birthplace of King Henry V, and the historic High Street that leads down to the stunning Monnow Bridge, the only remaining medieval fortified river bridge in Great Britain.

10/06/2026

The weather in the UK is unpredictable at the best of times. After a heatwave at Castle Rising it decided to keep us guessing at the 555th anniversary of the Battle of Barnet, just north of London. A beautiful evening for set up on Friday was followed by a cold, wet and windy Saturday, where awnings and flags were thrown to the ground with bows, arrows & our weapons displays soaked by heavy squalls that rolled in without warning, to depart equally as fast. Thankfully the weather gods felt pity for us on Sunday, and a mercifully fine day enabled us to dry out our battered camp before pack down. As always the stalwart British public attended regardless and at times our camp was so busy they formed an orderly queue for the chance to speak with us! A heartfelt thank you to the organisers and everyone who took the time to visit us.

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Southampton

Website

http://www.youtube.com/@bigbowbrum

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