Festival of History

Featuring period camps ranging from Rome to the Renaissance, costumed interpreters bring history to life at the Festival of History! Visitors are guaranteed an action packed weekend as history is revisited before their eyes!

From thrilling jousting competition to hair-raising demonstrations of military might join us as we take a journey back through time and discover some of the most exciting and fascinating events in European history.

Programs range from storytelling and talks on topics from warfare and chivalry to weaving cloth and making soap; hands on history such as spinning, embroidery, archery, sword practice, singing, dancing, games, pottery making and more. A blacksmith forges hot metal, an archer makes arrows for an army, all guaranteed to inform and enthrall. A Sword Master instructs all on the art of the sword, the Hundred Years War soldiers pass the time with backgammon, and Scotts demonstrate crafts and describe 16th century life. All of this surrounds the centerpiece of the weekend, a 2 day, 6 event 15th century tournament that will test the mettle and stamina of man and horse.

A wealth of activities for all ages and interests promises to make this an unforgettable weekend for the whole family. If you are only going to one event this summer, make it the Festival of History at the Tournament of the Phoenix!

LEGIO IX HISPANA  is a nationwide Roman reenactment club portraying a company of regular infantry soldiers, auxilia troops, their families as well as the everyday civilians and craftsmen who support them.  No togas, no Caesars...  just ordinary people.

 For them its the year 852  ... that's 99AD in the current calendar!  They are stationed in Northern Britannia, pacifying .. ie:  civilizing Celts and building bridges. 

The vast majority of their equipment is handmade by individual members. It's an important aspect of the hobby.  For Legio IX Hispana it's about having  armor and equipment and clothes that works and functions the way it was intended to. 

Contact: Sean Richards
Website: www.Legio-IX-Hispana.org
Email: hibernicus@legio-ix-hispana.org
Phone: 619.563.5200

The Compaignye du Chalis is the public demonstration entity of Medieval Recreationists of Nevada, representing the retinue and encampment of an obscure English knight, Sir John Strother  who lived in the latter part of the 14th century.  Composed of persons interested in faithful portrayal of medieval martial and traveling camp life, The Compaignye du Chalis puts on material culture displays and vignettes at events across the Southwest.

Featuring four fully armed and armored men at arms of the gentry estate, their well-appointed ladies, a traveling entertainer, a tinkerer, a 1/3 scale swinging counterweight trebuchet, an alestake, and all of the tentage appropriate for commodious living, Compaignye du Chalis adds a striking presence at historical events.

Contact: John McFarlin, Captain
website: www.mron.org
email: info@mron.org

The Archers of Ravenwood represent an English free company comprised of mercenaries from all over Europe. The Hundred Years War has ended, Henry VI is on the throne of England, and with the cessation of hostilities, great numbers of professional soldiers are at loose ends in France. English longbow men and their legendary bows were greatly prized and often formed the backbone of the Free Companies.

Our mission is to provide a look into the encampment of a group of archers for hire in the year 1450. This effort includes a recreation of day to day camp life including activities such as cooking and herbal medicines, as well as military support such as chain mail and leather work. We offer information on daily life as well as the military and recreational aspects of archery in the 15th C.

The Archers of Ravenwood will host an historical archery contest at the Tournament of the Phoenix. Any archers with regulation equipment and a historical costume is eligible to compete. This contest is educational and also great fun to watch. Please stop by and see us!

Contact: Dan Bozarth
website: ravenwoodarchers.com
email: dbozarth@accuratesecuritypros.com

Das Heiligesturm Fähnlein is a non-profit organization, focusing on lives and lifestyle of the 16th century Landskenchte, a fierce group of mainly German mercenary soldiers, and the Tross that followed them.

For DHF, the time is just after Emperor Charles commissioned soldiers to fight at the great battle of Malta . These are the soldiers and their Tross, that survived the battle and are now on their way home.

This group is more than flashy pretty clothes and huge feathered hats. Soldiers focus on mirroring the training, fighting, and life styles of the time, for success in battle is the only way for these men to make a living. The Tross focus on supporting their soldiers on and off the battlefields, including any trades of use to soldiers and the regular running of the camp.

Whether our members choose to focus on dates, facts, and famous people of the time, or the personalities and experiences of our ancestors, one aspect remains...the passion and commitment to accurately and vividly portray history for the enjoyment and education of themselves and the public.

Contact: Stewart Sanborn
Website: Fahnlein.com
email (Southern California): heiligesturm@hotmail.com

The St. Ives Historical Society is a California not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting an interest in the lifestyles, arts, and crafts of the Renaissance era and an awareness of how our history shapes the people we are today. It is their aim to make history come alive by making it personal, rather than a recitation of dates and famous personages.

They strive to keep scholarly presentations lively and entertaining, while maintaining a solid core of historical fact. They create programs to appeal both to serious students and the general public, and act as a resource for teachers, scholars, and historical reenactors. Their goal is to reach people through interactive presentations, educational lectures, participation in crafts, and whatever else may awaken an interest in discovering ways of life and living, philosophies, arts, and diversions of other eras.

Contact: Donna Flood, Guildmistress
Website: www.SaintIves.com
email: webmaster@saintives.com

Clan MacColin of Glenderry is a historical, social and educational organization dedicated to researching and portraying the daily life of a 16th century Hiberno-Scottish clan. Members portray the people, activities and culture of Highland Scotland and Ireland in the mid 1500’s. They specialize in costuming, craft demonstrations, military drill and music and dance. Their mission is to allow visitors to see and experience something of a time and a set of values that contributed to the development of the world today, and in many ways still exists.

Contact: Steve Gillan, Clan Chief
Website: www.MacColin.com
email: ColinChief@hotmail.com