I was thinking today, about all of the different personas involved at a living history event and I’m curious as to how many people have actually made a conscious decision to play that particular role. Personally, I attend events with my family, so when I started to participate in this hobby I just followed my step-father and became a member of his units. This past summer was the first time I broke away. Normally at the Grand Encampment @ Fort Ticonderoga (held every June and my personal FAVORITE event) I portray a British camp follower, this past season I went over to the French side. The experience, as well as the attire, was very enjoyable and I didn’t think much of becoming a traitor, until this afternoon. Can you jump back and forth for the experience itself? Are there loyalties?
British, French, German, Natives, etc… How do you choose a side?
January 10, 2007 at 1:43 pm |
In my case, it was where the interesting research took me. I, too, started as a British camp follower (Revolutionary War period) because my boyfriend at the time was in a British unit. Eventually I started portraying a Native American (Mohawk) because I enjoyed the little bit of Native history I’d studied, and feel that the Native participation in the RevWar is not often given the attention it deserves.
I’ve never tried switching loyalties (Crown vs. Patriot) – even as a Native, my persona is loyal to the Crown. However, I have run into the problems of living between two cultures. My current persona is the “Indian wife” of an officer in the British Rangers and the interpreter for the company. But I’ve found that even at this level, I feel almost as if I’m betraying “my people” – I can only imagine I’d feel even more uncomfortable if I went to the Rebel camp.
So, in my own case, no; I don’t think I could switch loyalties just for the experience; hard enough living as a Native woman in a white man’s world without adding differing politics.
January 10, 2007 at 8:06 pm |
I worked at an American Rev War site, but chose to portray a Hessian campfollower. I had no problem “switching” sides because at all times I’m a 20-21st century American. But my family is from Germany and I thought it would be interesting to do research on the Hessians and to participate on the “other” side. I’ve met wonderful people, all of whom have different reasons for the side they chose.
January 10, 2007 at 11:08 pm |
My interests in “all” aspects of the history of my region allows me to play many parts and personas. I started out as a Green Mountain Ranger for the Rev War. Members of that unit (Herrick’s) also did French Milice. At the time I wasn’t interested in French. Friends of mine were doing French and Indian as British so the next thing I knew I was in a British Ranger outfit. This outfit(Schroth’s) for Rev War did Butlers Rangers (loyalist) so I was soon doing Rev War on both sides. My family said we should also do both aspects of Herricks so we considered French and just this last year did it. It was fun. Others suggested 1812 (more friends) and soon I was jumping into a Gunboat for the Battle of Plattsburgh. I loved it. A Batteau became available and I obtained it so soon we were doing Naval impressions of F&I, Rev War, and 1812. Sides? We’ve chosen them all and thoroughly enjoy it. In all these personas I have met more people and enjoy being comfortable in all camps, on both sides of the battlefield, and in the taverns. If any side is short, our units are quite capale of portarying anything and to me that’s really fun and a credit to the units we chose to be with. To have both sides want us at events makes us proud.
January 11, 2007 at 10:25 pm |
I started out as a British ranger and still think that is the correct persona for me. However, thanks to Ensign Tom Pray, I may fighting for the French. I joined the rangers due to my past military service. We used many of the ranger tactics.
January 12, 2007 at 3:08 am |
I have found it interesting meeting people who are very adamant about the “side” they choose when reenacting. For some it is the deep respect for their heritage that is unbending. For me, my ancestory is what I base my main persona on, but I am very flexible when it comes to the verstility of the units I belong to. I don’t have a problem changing clothes and portraying the “other side” for an event. It does feel a bit awkward at first, sometimes, especially if you are in a French camp and can’t speak/understand but a few words of French, but what better way to appreciate both sides of the conflict.
February 15, 2007 at 4:09 pm |
[...] livinghistory 4:09 pm Earlier on in this blog we discussed choosing “sides”, and I was very pleased with the range of feedback I received. I would like to get everyone’s [...]
January 13, 2009 at 10:20 pm |
I’m in the interesting predicament to be doing War of the Roses with Lord Grey’s Retinue (www.lordgreys.org) I’m a BIG Yorkist fan, but Lord Grey often fought for Lancaster. The funny thing is, he often switched sides, and did so once in the middle of a battle, letting the enemy just walk right past his troops. The days we’re doing Yorkists I’m happy, the other days I’m kinda sullen. ~_^ Either way it’s fun.
January 14, 2009 at 1:26 pm |
War of the Roses…we’re talking late 15th century right? I’m not as familiar with the period, but I’m so glad you shared your take on choosing sides with me! It’s always nice to get a good mix of people/backgrounds in discussions like these.
I too switch sides often, makes the experience that much more interesting. I cannot believe that Lord Grey actually switched sides in the middle of a battle! Is there any such occurences in the 18th century?
Capt. Ed? Tom? Any insight here?
January 14, 2009 at 4:35 pm |
Besides the obvious story of Benedict Arnold
January 14, 2009 at 5:58 pm |
The King’s Shilling is pay enough for me. That Continental
currency isn’t even worth the paper it’s printed on. We use
the captured bills, for lighting fires, and stuffing for bedrolls.
No sense changing sides when you’re already on the best one.
God Save the King!!! Huzzah.