On Monday 12th December 2005, the Ancient Arts Fellowship presented a historical display to a group of about twenty Year 9 history students from Melrose High. Because our numbers were severely limited, the "normal" display structure had to be modified somewhat. But it was clear that with the right format, the Fellowship can put on an effective historical display, including fighting, with only two or three people.

We based the display around the year 1066. Three volunteers were selected from the audience, and were used as "clothes-horses" to demonstrate the type of costume and armament of the Saxons, Vikings and Normans. While we costumed and armed them, Mike spoke about the role that these three peoples played in the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings. He discussed the succession to the kingship, the attack by Harald Hardrada and the forced march of Harold Godwinson's army to meet them at Stanford Bridge.

In previous displays, we fought out the Battle of Hastings as a reenactment. However, with only three people capable of fighting, it wasn't going to be a very spectacular battle. So we got the kids up to do it instead. This was an inspired idea in my opinion.

The three volunteers we picked out of the audience became the major players in the battle, and the rest of the students became the two armies. So we had a Harold, one of Harold's Huscarls, and we had a William. Each of them had a small army of Year 9 students with them. And we marched them through the progress of the battle.

In the "regular" Hastings battle we simply demonstrate the infantry charge. The Norman line charges the Saxon line three times, the Saxon line pursues on the third charge, and the Normans turn and slaughter them. But the real Battle of Hastings was a lot more complicated than that. For a start it was one of the first uses of combined arms. Although the Saxon infantry had a very strong position - a shield wall on a hill, with the flanks protected by forests - the Normans had brought cavalry and archers as well as infantry.

By splitting the class into two groups, and designating some of them as Norman archers, others as Norman cavalry, some as Saxon levys, others as Saxon Huscarls, we were really to literally walk them through the battle as it happened. And in many ways it was more successful and educational than the "traditional" way we did it. It was really hands-on learning, and this is always a more effective way of learning than passively watching two teams waving swords at each other.

After this, we did a few demonstration fights which clearly highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of certain equipment combinations. The weakness of the spear in close quarters was demonstrated, as well as how much more effective it was when the spearman picked up a sword. We even demonstrated some of the techniques of ms. I.33.

During the show-and-tell session at the end, the students were keen and interested. They picked up the swords, and put on the mail. They asked questions - about the period and the equipment, but also about who we were and why we liked doing this.

The reaction of the audience is exactly why I like doing this. The students clearly enjoyed the display, and just as clearly learned something about history at the same time. And that's always good in my books.