English Civil War re-enactor

It has always struck me as odd that quite a large proportion of the public in England do not know about the English Civil War. Moreover, that many know more about the American Civil War than ours. If pushed, most can recall a king being beheaded and factions called Roundheads and Cavaliers, but not much else. What are the reasons for this? Well, if it is taught in schools it isn't a focus of much attention, and one is drawn to the conclusion that many don't like to be reminded of it. Revolution is something the English see as afflicting other nations, not their own. And then there is the fact that its effects were transitory and a monarch returned to the throne and all was more or less as it had been. This side-lining of the Civil War hasn't stopped re-enactors dressing up and acting out the episode. I think this re-enactor attending Armed Forces Day was dressed in the costume of that period. 

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

English Civil War soldier

Every now and then I come upon a photoshoot with a photographer, assistant and model(s) making use of a location as a backdrop. It happened again recently when we were at Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire. In the grounds, using the ancient walls as a setting, was a model in what appeared to be the dress of a soldier from the time of the English Civil War. The sky was cloudless and the photographer was using the shade of a conifer supplemented by a reflector held by his assistant to light his subject. From a distant bench, with my lens extended to its maximum I took a quick snap of the soldier whose appearance reminded me somewhat of the English actor, Brian Blessed, in the film, "Flash Gordon"(1980).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2