This week's studio session had a distinctly different atmosphere as Hilary and Paul joined not merely as guests but dressed in full Tudor costume. They are members of the Companye of Merrie Folke and came to discuss the upcoming Tudor Festival weekend at Ingatestone Hall, where history will be vividly brought to life across the grounds.
The Setting: 1576
The year is 1576, Elizabeth I sits on the throne, and the country is gripped by tension. Her spymaster, Francis Walsingham, actively hunts for Catholic priests, who are hidden by families at great personal risk. At Ingatestone Hall, the story centers on the Petre family, known Catholics. If they are discovered sheltering a priest using a concealed priest hole, the consequences would be severe.
Re-enactment Details
Over the weekend, approximately 30 re-enactors will be on site, portraying roles from the period and recreating daily life in and around the hall. Visitors are not mere spectators; they are encouraged to engage with the characters, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of life in an era when religion and politics were dangerously intertwined.
Hilary, who portrays Lady Petre, and Paul, playing a household servant, shared their passion for re-enactment. For them, it is not simply about costumes or performance but about comprehending the nuances of everyday life and sharing that knowledge in a direct and accessible manner.
The hall itself, built during the Tudor period, serves as an authentic backdrop. Events like this provide context to what might otherwise be just a historic building.
Additional Information
For more details, visit ingatestonehall.com. Information about the re-enactment group is available at companyeofmerriefolke.wordpress.com. The interview can be heard again at phoenixfm.com.
The Brentwood Gazette covers areas including Billericay, Brentwood, Hutton, Shenfield, and Wickford in Essex.
