Waldorf Medieval Carnival - Sun 15th May
Legio VI Ferrata and Legio X Fretensis joined forces for the Waldorf Medieval Carnival to help provide a living history experience for kids and their families. The Roman camp had a steady stream of curious public visitors. The most common question from adults was: "Isn't that armour heavy?" (Ans: "Yes!" and "But you soon get used to it.") and from kids: "Mister, how do you get up on top of that Roman gate?" (Ans: "We have a ladder, sonny, but only Roman sentries on guard duty are allowed up there!"). Actually, we did let a couple of kids up under strict supervision, and it really made their day.
Here we see a pictorial snap-shot of some random Roman camp life...
Here we see a pictorial snap-shot of some random Roman camp life...
Roman training on the Campus Martius ("Field of Mars") to practice the vallum formation used to advance against archery fire. It is crucial to get this right, because it will save your life when the "rain of arrows blots out the sun!"
The Romans and Barbarians meet face to face in a tense stand-off. One wrong move here could mean disaster and sudden death for all concerned. The delicate negotiations must be handled very carefully.
The Romans enter the Waldorf ludus to pacify the local barbarians and enforce the Pax Romana. After some fierce fighting the forum is captured, and the ruling warrior princess capitulates at the feet of her conquerors, begging for mercy. Rome is magnanimous in victory. The princess is given a luxurious villa in Capri and her people are all sold into slavery.
The Battle of Waldorf saw the Roman army vastly outnumbered by a barbarian alliance of the War Bows archers and Den Valknut barbarians. The first Roman army met tough opposition and the outcome of this battle was not at all certain until the very last minute. Such is the fickle chance of war, and this is why the superstitious Romans sacrificed to the goddess Fortuna.
"A good general needs luck or skill," said Julius Caesar, "and luck is better!"
"A good general needs luck or skill," said Julius Caesar, "and luck is better!"
Legio VI Ferrata (from left) Petronius (centurion), Decebalus, Marcus, Lucius, Brutus and Marius.
Iris the Rainbow is the Messenger of the Roman Gods, connecting Heaven to Earth, and here she is showing Jove's approval of the Roman performance as we pack up to head home. In the East we see dark clouds, but turn around West and it is clear blue sky with the sun shining so bright you couldn't get a decent pic. What a finale!
