Who are Vanguard?
We are an independent 13th century medieval re-enactment group built on the decades of experience of our most veteran members. Our core philosophy is centred around one focus: entertainment, as we strongly believe that re-enactment is a show to be enjoyed. That is the enjoyment of both the audience and of our members.
Vanguard is based out of Hartlepool, UK, but enjoys events all across Britain from the northern reaches of Dirleton, Scotland to the southern beaches of Hastings, England.
​
We are forever recruiting, with a role for anyone, always looking for those who share our principles to make Vanguard the best we can make it. ​​​​
What does Vanguard do?
Primarily, we aim to recreate the gallant spectacles of medieval tournaments and their attached encampments from the 13th century. A booming herald guides the audience as two opposing households, led by our elite and characterful knights with their households of professional serjeants and feral levies, clash in a series of duels and grand melees. Our unique, unchoreographed White Hart fighting system ensures grand exchanges of distinct attacks and parries, decisive blows and jaw dropping carnage - all while keeping our fighters, and the audience, perfectly safe.
​
Following our namesake - Vanguard always presses itself to the forefront of any action in any event, portraying dramatized medieval combat and living history from the Norman conquest of 1066 all the way to 1314 with the Battle of Bannockburn. We are proud of our reputation as hard fighting show boaters and glory hogs, as no-one does it better!​
​
Our specialty period, centering on 1295, was specifically chosen for its beautiful and unique arms, armour and fashions. Colourful heraldic surcoats draw all eyes while tailored chainmail allows for dextrous and skillful fighting, without becoming the plate-armoured invulnerability of later periods; when the audience knows the combatants can really feel those heavy blows, it makes the experience all the more rich!
