Napoleonic History Fair at Cressing Temple - May 12th/13th 2007 Review

Firing a three-pounder in the pouring rain.

Downpours like stair-rods failed to put out the tapers of the gun crews as cannon boomed around the ancient buildings at Cressing Temple. The arena filled with the smoke of war and the smell of saltptetre drifting around the cannon gave onlookers a loud and exciting spectacle.

The gun crew take shelter in the encampment.

A small tented village plucked from the early C19th accommodated the many regiments, their retinue and their tradesmen.

Soldier of the 95th displaying uniforms and arms.

Inside the 800 year old Barley Barn the regiments were recruiting and displaying their arms and equipment. The 95th regiment found several new members. Their exquisite uniforms and superb period equipment and weapons no doubt part of the attraction.

An impressive battlefield in miniature.

In the Wheat Barn, wargamers re-enacted in miniscule detail the great and bloody battles of the 19th century right through to the C22nd century.

Elegant costumes made with an astonishing attention to detail.

Elegant period costumes of the early 1800's showed how the lady followers of the regiment would have dressed. Rock stars of their day, the regiments had keen female retinues as testified to by Jane Austen's novels.

Fascinating events like this are put on up and down the country - why not find out about them from www.internationalnapoleonicfair.com ?

For information on the 95th (Rifle) Regiment of Foot visit www.95thrifles.com