near Venta Silurum*
1st centur y A.D.
It’s a form of escapism, wouldn’t you say?
* Now known as Caerwent, Venta Silurum was
Grown men and women dressing up and
founded by the Romans in 75 AD and became
the largest centre of civilian population in Roman
pretending to be other people.
Wales. The name means ‘market town of the
Silures’, the Celtic tribe that lived in southern
Wales. Regarded as a fierce people, it took the
Roman army over 30 years to subdue the Silures.
Officially, it goes by a number of monikers – sites. The society’s name means a temporary former Capel y Ffin monastery, that sculptor
living history – re-enactment. And apparently, settlement that grew outside Roman military and type-face designer Eric Gill sought solace,
it’s on the increase. More and more people are bases to cater for the needs of the soldiers, along with his entourage. The typefaces
joining these societies, or forming new ones, and which eventually grew into permanent Perpetua & Gill Sans are just two of the
and huge numbers are attracted to living history towns, like Caerleon (map ref B6) and enduring results of this productive period in
events, to get a glimpse of a lost world. Caerwent (map ref C6). Gill’s life. The world’s foremost calligrapher,
Living history attracts all sorts but the We have more than our fair share of Donald Jackson, now has his Scriptorium near
majority are quite normal. Take one couple castles, churches and other historic buildings Monmouth, where work continues on the
Teresa and Dean, for example (pictured above). so there are plenty of places where re-enactors seven-volume, handwritten and illuminated
A neonatal intensive care nurse and a regularly escape from the 21st century. St John’s Bible, commissioned by St John’s
neuroscientist. Most weekends, however, they Unsurprisingly, this border region has University in Minnesota, USA.
become 1st century Romans and their routine been a bolt-hole for hundreds of years. It was You might not want to take it as far
changes. Wearing tunics, cooking over a fire a stronghold of Roman Catholicism during as our re-enactor friends but easier options
and ‘killing’ Britons are all par for the course. the turbulent Elizabethan era, with plenty of do exist. Join the audience for ‘The Tempest’
Dean’s day job, caring for premature hidden priest holes. In the 17th century Charles at Raglan Castle, keep your distance as
babies in the local hospital, is demanding. I sought refuge in Raglan Castle (map ref C5) The Sealed Knot prepares for battle at
Re-enacting is one way he switches off. and also, reputedly, at Llanvihangel Court Caldicot Castle (map ref C7) or experience
It was their son, originally, who wanted to (map ref B4), a Grade I-listed Tudor manor the upstairs and downstairs versions of
play at being a Roman. A few years later house near Abergavenny. Christmas past at the magnificent Tredegar
and it’s now very much a family pastime. Others have been drawn here in search House in Newport (map ref A7).
They’re all paid-up members of Vicus, an Iron of inspiration. Because it offers tranquillity. Less obvious groups are also bringing
Age and early Roman re-enactment society, Even today, the Black Mountains and Llanthony our built heritage back to life. The Friends of
which holds public events at many historic Valley remain a world away. It was here, in the Friendless Churches and Caldicot & District
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