Roman Cavalry at Sewerby Hall, Bridlington.

[John Conyard]

This 24/25 August BH, Comitatus returns to Sewerby Hall, Bridlington. The fort of Praesidium probably lies off shore lost to coastal erosion, so the legionaries of the Praesidiensis are coming home.

There will be 4 cavalrymen plus infantry and our ballista. Displays are at 11 am, 12 noon, 2 pm and 3 pm. In previous years approximately 6,000 visitors have come to see the biggest Roman event of it's kind in Yorkshire.

[Octavianvs]

You will have to show pics and let us know how it went!

[John Conyard]

The shows were very very good. We had a proffessional photographer and he's just handed me 333 very good pictures on disc. The shoots of horses at speed are particularly impressive. Some of these will go up on www.comitatus.net when we stop aching.

[John Conyard]

The first few are up on

http://www.comitatus.net/SewerbyHall2008/

Hopefully to be followed by many more.

[Caballo]

Great pics, John!

[John Conyard]

Cheers,

We had our first Gothic style hilt with us over the weekend. I suspect the first of many. Sadly our "Gothic" cavalryman took a heavy fall at the gallop on the Sunday, after the show, so doesn't feature on the photos taken on the Monday. He was OK, just bruised and shaken up. I realised he had fallen when a deformed Del-el- Medinah spagenhelm rolled past me as I slowed down. There was no head in it.

John

[D B Campbell]

I like your arcuballista. :wink:

Any more photos of it?

[John Conyard]

There are some photos on

http://www.comitatus.net/arms2photos/

or else PM me and I'll take some for you. It's hanging up in my equipment room as I type.

With new bolts this season, I really enjoyed using this weapon. Anything sticking out beyond a shield under 50m became a feasible target.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I like the one where the poor bolt holder is doubling as a shield....Poor sod! :lol:

Great pics..!

[John Conyard]

Rather than a shield the poor pede is helping demonstrate how such a weapon has an application in seiges. He is taking the part of the rampart showing how the operator only has to show the top of their head to shot. This is compared favourably to using a bow, when the whole of the upper body is exposed.

[Robert Vermaat]

Rather than a shield the poor pede is helping demonstrate how such a weapon has an application in seiges. He is taking the part of the rampart showing how the operator only has to show the top of their head to shot. This is compared favourably to using a bow, when the whole of the upper body is exposed.

The men and women of Comitatus are looking better and better each time I see new pictures!

But.. it seems that the images shows not too many members?

[Octavianvs]

John - Excellent D !:

[John Conyard]

Thank you for your comments We have over 350 excellent photos from this event. However the photographers brief was to catch our cavalry at speed, so we have only limited shots of infantry. Sad but true.

Some years are better than others, but this has been a very good season for Comitatus. Membership stands at an all time high, which is great. However some members join because they have an interest in military equipment, for the newsletter and for various fringe benefits, but with no intention of attending events. So for next year we may need to initiate an associate member category.

We've lost two members to financial problems, and the rising cost of petrol can't have helped. But members do receive a payout for attending some events, so hopefully this hasn't been too much of an issue. New members have slotted in nicely and our turnout is the same as in previous years. Robert, you're welcome to join, I need a new mounting block :lol:

By the end of September we will have done 11 events which is too many. It would be sensible to do fewer next season. However some of these have been cavalry shows for which we need only a few members. Just riders and a few brave stunt legionaries. And these guys take a real hammering. I particularly enjoyed the pede who swollowed a tooth at Sewerby, and then came back for more. I'm glad I'm on a horse.

Robert, remember the priciples of organising an event I sent to you last spring? Well clients like a proffesional show, which may cost them a relatively large sum, but which can really involve the local community and be cost effective. They like booking our Roman cavalrymen.

I think all the better groups improve each year. Comitatus certainly improves from show to show. Next season I would like to field up to six cavalrymen at selected shows. And do more "Roman cavalry through the Ages", from the Republic to Belisarius. My equipment room needs to get bigger.

Please forgive for posting such a long reply. I fully appreciate Comitatus operates within a relatively small geogrpahic area, and many members of RAT will never have seen us. But I felt Robert was asking for a full answer.

[Robert Vermaat]

Robert, you're welcome to join, I need a new mounting block :lol:

Thanks for the offfer but I must decline. The price of petrol sadly prevents me driving to the UK... :wink:

By the end of September we will have done 11 events which is too many. It would be sensible to do fewer next season. However some of these have been cavalry shows for which we need only a few members. Just riders and a few brave stunt legionaries.

Indeed, 11 would be too many if they would involve all the members. But like you say, if attendance can be spread it may not be too much. I take it you take part in all 11 events?

Robert, remember the priciples of organising an event I sent to you last spring? Well clients like a proffesional show, which may cost them a relatively large sum, but which can really involve the local community and be cost effective. They like booking our Roman cavalrymen.

Sure do. Yes, a professional show is always appreciated, even if the public might not always recognise the level of professionalism. But horses are ALWAYS appreciated!

My equipment room needs to get bigger.

What aboput transport?

Please forgive for posting such a long reply. I fully appreciate Comitatus operates within a relatively small geogrpahic area, and many members of RAT will never have seen us. But I felt Robert was asking for a full answer.

Much appreciated! And frankly, I wish more groups posted as many images and video footage material!!

[John Conyard]

I suspect many members are relunctant to post images of their events on RAT. It smacks of narcissism. However I'm comfortable posting links to the events pages of our website. If people are interested in what we do they should make the effort to visit http://www.comitatus.net/Home.htm

I enjoy attending events. All of Comitatus's and a few others as well. This year I enjoyed riding as an ACW cavalryman. The saddle is a joy. Over the winter I would like to try a Macedonian cavalry impression. The saddle will be cheap :lol: