A Roman centurion, a medieval knight, a Second World War Wren and a fool; these are just a few of the English Heritage re-enactors returning to work at our properties across the country this summer for the first time in two years due to the pandemic.

Although many of us will be looking forward to a break over the summer holidays, our re-enactors are champing at the bit to get back to the “office” and do what they do best: bring history to life for thousands of people each year.

To celebrate their return to work, our cameras visited five of them to capture their vital (and sometimes bemusing) summer preperations on film — see below. 

From medieval jousts to Victorian grand days out, summers at English Heritage’s historic sites are usually packed with events, featuring living history encampments bringing a buzz to their grounds and re-enactors populating castle walls. But since the pandemic, the historic palaces, forts and castles in our care have fallen silent as the pandemic and successive lockdowns forced cancellations. 

Now with the easing of restrictions, it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel and this week will see the return of summer events and re-enactors for the first time in earnest since 2019.

Heather Redmond, English Heritage’s Head of Visitor Experience, said: “We’re so excited to be able to host our events again, particularly our always popular jousting season which kicks off at Dover Castle on 31st July. It will be great to see our re-enactors do what they do best and hop on their mighty steeds to battle for glory once more. It’s been a difficult year for many, but we’re so pleased to be able to welcome them back and we know they are eager to return to the ‘office’!”

Mark Griffin, Historian, Re-enactor and occasional Roman Centurion, said: “I’ve been a full time professional historian and re-enactor for over 30 years! What started as a hobby in 1985 soon progressed into a career and I’ve loved bringing history to life and playing so many characters; as a Roman I represent Marcus Classicus Britanicus, a Legionary from the 2nd Legion of Augustus about AD 75. It’s been a tough year especially for everyone in the re-enactment industry and it’s been an ache to be away from work and an audience for so long, but I’m eager to get back to it and optimistic for the future.”

To learn more about our re-enactors and to book your tickets for our action-packed events this summer, visit:

www.english-heritage.org.uk/summer 

Short Film: Meet the History Makers