History Workshops

07/06/2026

THE BLOODY ASSIZES

As we near the end of our series on my hero, James Scott Duke of Monmouth, the name of Judge Jeffreys slithers into view.

He has gone down in history as a monster with no regard for human life, a man who drank to relieve the pain from his kidney stones and a man who rejoiced in human suffering.

There is little evidence to suggest, the history that has come down to us is false. Jeffreys himself said of his mission to the Westcountry, "I will breathe death like an avenging angel, and sanguine his ermins in blood."

As well as this, after the Bloody Assizes were over he made this disgusting boast.

"I have hanged more men, than all the judges since William the Conqueror!"

Video out soon!

06/06/2026

Don't let anyone tell you that being a, 'content creator,' is glamorous. Sometimes it even borders on less than fun.

This is the 3rd time I have recorded the audio for our next video.

The first time it sounded like I'd recorded it inside an airship hangar. The second time, the microphone was playing up because the plosives were sounding like burst balloons.

Finally...now after three hours of recording and final editing on top, it's now time to do the video editing!
🙄🙄

31/05/2026

THE MATCHLOCK MUSKET OF THE MONMOUTH REBELLION

The next installment for our Duke of Monmouth series

The matchlock musket was used by both the royalist and rebel musketeer during the Monmouth Rebellion and Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685.The matchlock musket was...

30/05/2026

All set up for shooting another video.

Perfect weather!

29/05/2026

WARAG 2026

Well that was a blast...but could have been a little cooler!
So much fun being surrounded by so many enthusiastic WW2, WW1, Vikings and Wild West reenactors.
Hopefully next year, get more Monmouth Rebellion reenactors there and put on a real show!

A massive thank you to Alan Scott for giving up his Sunday and being a horrible rebel in stinking hot conditions - much appreciated bud!

Photo kindly supplied by John Norris

28/05/2026

AI is not all bad!
Great example is this. A FB page I follow has dug up some wonderful illustrations of soldiers from the Monmouth Rebellion, the Battle of Sedgemoor and the late Restoration period. You could stick these images into AI and ask for: red coat, black hat, green breeches etc...
But as I'm a bit of an idiot, I do it slightly differently.
First I paste the image into Powerpoint, trace every body part, colour the shape and give it a black outline.
Each figure takes a lot of time, but I think it really does bring the original illustration to life.
What do you think?

25/05/2026

ONE DOWN - SEVERAL TO GO!

Well...that was a scorcher at WARAG!

Well done to all the reenactors who struggled but survived in heat getting on for 30°

Got to be honest, the thick woollen coat, woollen breeches, woollen stockings were almost too much for me ha ha!

But, what a blast the weekend was. So many enthusiastic reenactors keeping our history alive!

Definitely will be back next year.

Our next event will be the Somerset Armed Forces Day on Sat 4th July in Vivary Park. We will again be doing the Monmouth Rebellion as it has a fascinating and gruesome connection to the rebellion and the Bloody Assizes.

Hope to see you there!

22/05/2026

WARAG this weekend!

Good job I won't be wearing wool...oh...

😬😬

www.warag.co.uk

20/05/2026

WEATHER LOOKING FAB FOR WARAG!

This weekend at Middlezoy Aerodrome.

WW2 reenactors, Wild West, vehicles, displays and History Workshops reenacting the Monmouth Rebellion!

A great day out for the whole family this weekend.

For full details - follow the link www.warag.co.uk

17/05/2026

Another trip to my happy place, the Battlefield of Sedgemoor.

No idea who made this WONDERFUL figure, but WOW!

No chance you could make a redcoat chap to go alongside him? 😁🙏