Historia Normannis Wales

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Historia Normannis Wales

Official Page of the 12th century re-enactment group Historia Normannis in Wales.

From Stephen and Matilda to Magna Carta (1135-1215) If you'd like to join please contact us and we'll put you in touch with your nearest local group!

31/05/2026

Medieval May Day 31: Going Forward

Medieval may has now come to an end, however, our show season is still carrying on! We have a range of shows across the UK left to attend.

In Wales, we’re really looking forward to these shows

4th-5th July: Carew Castle Grand Medieval Joust
8th-9th August: Laugharne Castle
29th-31st August: Carew Castle Weekend of Warriors and Weaponry

Our members are excited, many preparing new kit and having training sessions and we’re looking forward to hopefully seeing you at one of our shows!!

30/05/2026

Medieval May Day 30: Death

You can’t recreate the 12th century without confronting death.

Whether it was from warfare, illness, or punishment - death was a very real part of medieval life. In our combat displays, we reflect this reality. Unlike scripted shows, our fights are competitive and unscripted - anyone can win, anyone can fall. Once a killing blow lands, we go down. The battlefield becomes littered with “bodies,” just as it would have been in period.

For the common folk, there were no second chances in battle - if you couldn’t run, you died. But if you were a noble? You might survive… for a price. Captured knights were often ransomed back to their families for gold and lands, treated with honour - unless, of course, your captor had a grudge.

Every fighter steps onto the field knowing they’ll give it their all - because no one wants to be the one to die. But don’t worry… the fallen always rise again (after a good nap in the sun)…

29/05/2026

Medieval May Day 29: Life

Life in medieval Wales wasn’t all battles and knights- for most people, life was shaped by work, family, and duty.

Most people spent their days farming, tending animals, maintaining homes, producing food, and supporting their communities. Lords may have lived more comfortably, but they also carried responsibilities to govern, protect land, and lead men in times of conflict.

Within our encampment, we recreate these different parts of society - from soldiers and nobles to craftspeople and ordinary households - because medieval Welsh life was made up of far more than warfare alone.

By exploring everyday routines as well as extraordinary moments, we build a fuller picture of life in 12th-century Wales.

28/05/2026

Medieval May Day 28: Love

Love in medieval Wales was about far more than romance. It shaped families, loyalties, alliances, and communities, influencing everything from marriage and inheritance to friendship and kinship.

Marriage among the nobility was often tied to politics, land, and alliances, while poetry and bardic tradition celebrated loyalty, devotion, and idealised love. But love could also be found in everyday life, in family ties, hospitality, friendships, and the bonds formed between soldiers fighting side by side.

As we recreate medieval Welsh life, we explore all these connections: relationship love, families sharing meals, combatants training together, friendships around the fire, and the responsibilities people had to those around them.

Love in the medieval world wasn’t always simple, but it was everywhere, shaping communities just as much then as now.

27/05/2026

Medieval May Day 27: History

Today, instead of looking at the 12th century, we’re looking at our own history here in Wales.

From the very beginning, Wales has been a major part of Historia Normannis. The founding charter included three Welsh groups inherited from the BSU - Lampeter, Aberystwyth, and Conwy, creating the foundations for what would become a strong Welsh presence within the society.

Over the years, Welsh groups have appeared across different parts of the country, with members continually expanding and improving our portrayals of medieval Welsh life. From wargear and combat styles to crafts, food, and daily life, our impressions have grown richer through years of research and experience.

Like medieval Wales itself, our history is one of change, growth, and adaptation, and we’re always looking forward to seeing where the next chapter takes us.

26/05/2026

Medieval May Day 26: Heraldry

Heraldry was an essential part of the medieval world, especially on the battlefield where armour and helmets made it difficult to tell friend from foe. Bold colours and recognisable symbols helped identify soldiers, families, and allegiances at a glance.

Within our society, each group has its own heraldry based on the colours of its historical region. Here in Wales, our colours are red, black, and white, while the Marches are represented through blue and white.

You can often tell where someone belongs not just through colour, but through the design itself, whether they fight as part of a recognised group or as an irregular.

25/05/2026

Medieval May Day 25: Colours

In the 12th century, colour was a statement. The brighter and more vibrant your clothing or embroidery, the more wealth and status you were displaying to the world.

Creating rich colours was expensive. Dyers used materials such as madder, woad, kermes, orchil, saffron, weld, indigo, copper salts, tannins, and even murex to achieve different shades, some far rarer and more costly than others.

Because colour carried such social meaning, our society carefully limits which colours and trims members can use depending on the status of their portrayal, helping keep our impressions authentic to the period. Even thread colours and decorative embroidery could reflect rank and wealth.

To medieval people, colourful clothing wasn’t just fashion it was a very public display of identity and prestige, even if now we’d think they colours clash massively!

And yes… some colours cost an absolute fortune. Can you guess which one was the most valuable?

24/05/2026

Medieval May Day 24: Preparation

Preparing for an event starts long before we ever step into camp.

Weapons and armour need checking, clothing repaired, food prepared, tents packed, and countless small pieces of equipment sorted and organised. Many of our members spend evenings before events sewing, fixing kit, or making sure everything is ready for a full weekend of living history.

Once we arrive, the real work begins, unloading carts and cars, raising tents, building camp spaces, preparing fires and cooking areas, and getting displays ready before the public arrives.

There’s a lot of effort behind every event, but it’s all worth it when the camp comes to life and history can be shared with visitors.

23/05/2026

Medieval May Day 23: Improvement

Over time, our members continue to improve their portrayals through research, practice, and experience. Whether it’s refining combat skills, upgrading equipment, learning new crafts, or improving historical knowledge, every event helps build a deeper understanding of medieval Welsh life.

Kit evolves piece by piece, skills become more polished, and portrayals grow more detailed and authentic with each season.

One of the most rewarding parts of living history is that improvement never truly stops, there is always another source to study, another skill to learn, and another detail to perfect.

22/05/2026

Medieval May Day 22: Research

Research is at the heart of everything we do in Historia Normannis. Every shield, meal, remedy, and piece of clothing begins with studying the evidence left behind.

Our members have explored subjects ranging from Welsh war gear and shield designs to the food and recipes we prepare in camp. Others have researched medieval medicine, personal hygiene, and the many uses of alcohol in daily life - from brewing and cider-making to its role in remedies and treatments.

Some members focus on hunting practices and woodland skills, while others study the courts of the Welsh princes and the laws, customs, and politics that shaped medieval Welsh society.

With new archaeological discoveries and historical interpretations appearing all the time, there is always more to learn and help us develop our displays and we love diving deeper into the history of medieval Wales.

Address

Swansea

Website

http://normannis.co.uk/

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