Historical links now stretch to Lithuania

Apr 24 2008 By George Topp

A CLYDESDALE historical group who are used to bringing the past alive to audiences across Scotland have been asked to spread their wings a little wider — to Lithuania.

Normally, members of Medieval Clydesdale, a battle re-enactment and living history group, are content to re-create the past at galas, re-enactments and special events across central and southern Scotland.

Until now, the furthest they have travelled is Northern Ireland when they were employed by the Irish National Trust for a special heritage event.

Now, out of the blue, the group have been invited to take part in a major festival in eastern Europe.

Medieval Clydesdale spokesman Kenny Ellis explained: “The invitation was certainly a surprise and totally different from the bookings and requests we normally receive. It came from Karolis Jankauskas who represents a Lithuanian brotherhood, Medieval Emissaries, from Castle Trakai. They organise an annual medieval festival in the castle of an old town called Trakai, which is Lithuania's former capital,” said Kenny.

This year’s festival is on June 7 and 8, and it will be the 10th organised in the medieval town. During the festival, there will be an international knights tournament, mass battles, events involving attacking the castle, medieval dance and music, fire shows, medieval markets and much more.

Unfortunately, the invitation has come in too late for the Lanarkshire re-enactors to fit it into their diary, although they have offered to take part next year.

Through their links with the Lanark Medieval Festival, Scotland’s largest re-enactment event which takes place on August 16/17, Medieval Clydesdale members will, be doing some travelling.

Dual members have been invited to events at Bunratty in Eire; a medieval festival in Slovakia; a re-creation of the Battle of Harlaw in the north-east of Scotland, and to Britain’s largest medieval event, the Battle of Tewksbury. Members of Medieval Clydesdale regularly take part in Viking events and can portray more recent episodes of Scottish history such as Covenanters or Jacobites.

Next month they will be putting on a display at Hamilton Park Racecourse, and in June will be at the Red Hose Race celebrations in Carnwath. Later that month members will feature at the Highland Games in Crossford. They are taking part in Lanark Medieval Festival at the racecourse in August.

The group are taking bookings from organisations and individuals interested in adding something different to their own event. For more information, see www.medievalclydes dale.com or call Kenny Ellis on 01555 666736 or John Hamilton on 01864 502258.