New Varangian Guard - Magnaura

New Varangian Guard - Magnaura A living history re-enactment group focusing on the lives and lifestyles of the Varangian people

A Living History Re-enactment Group, Magnaura (formerly Handakas) is a branch of the New Varangian Guard - a nation-wide group of like-minded enthusiasts, recreating and re-enacting the Byzantine Empire and its Allies and Enemies during the 10th to 13th Centuries AD. Members of the Guard attempt to learn about the lifestyle of these peoples by study and reconstruction of the materials and practices of the period. We aim to make our recreation as realistic as possible without compromising safety, the law, or personal enjoyment. We also endeavour to create and maintain channels of communication among members, other recreation groups, educators, government and the business community. In this way we provide opportunities and venues for members to practice, display and teach the skills, arts and crafts that they pursue. At Magnaura, we specifically focus on the lives and lifestyles of the Varangian peoples, mercenaries and guardsmen living and working within the city of Constantinople between 1040 - 1090AD. We meet regularly on Wednesday evenings from 7:30pm to 10:00pm at the Beefacres Community Hall in Windsor Gardens in the north of the city. Weekly meetings consist both of working on recreation projects, clothing and other historical crafts, as well as re-enactment combat training. Prospective members and general interest persons are invited to come along and join in the fun and excitement.

03/09/2026

Our enemies will now be slain from afar!

It has been a month since the Victor Harbor Valhalla Festival so it is time to share some photos! Here is a selection of...
06/07/2026

It has been a month since the Victor Harbor Valhalla Festival so it is time to share some photos! Here is a selection of us in action. Please check out Castleforge Photography and Velastaria Studios to see more of their photography.

We hope you enjoyed the Victor Harbor Valhalla Festival as much as we did! Since there were no cameras in our time perio...
08/06/2026

We hope you enjoyed the Victor Harbor Valhalla Festival as much as we did! Since there were no cameras in our time period, we can't take photos, so we’d love to see pictures you captured of us, like this epic one from Castleforge Photography. Please share your photos😁

Pondering joining our ranks?
You're welcome to drop in at Beefacres Community Hall, Pittwater Drive, Windsor Gardens at 7:30 Wednesday night.

Did you see us at the Gumeracha fair over the weekend?If you want to step back in time outside of the fairs Magnaura mee...
06/05/2026

Did you see us at the Gumeracha fair over the weekend?

If you want to step back in time outside of the fairs Magnaura meets weekly at hall in Windsor Gardens every Wednesday night at 7:30.

Visitors and new members are always welcome - see our website at www.magnaura.com.au for details

***EDIT: This was an April Fools post!***Dragons! They really did exist in the medieval period. People back then didn’t ...
31/03/2026

***EDIT: This was an April Fools post!***
Dragons! They really did exist in the medieval period. People back then didn’t have imaginations.

At the Battle of Dyrrhachium (1081), the Varangian Guard were gathered inside a church, discussing how best to crush the Norman army when—suddenly—a dragon set the building alight, killing everyone inside. The Normans later claimed the victory as their own, but believing such wild notions is foolish. Only dragons could defeat the Varangian Guard.

The mere sight of a dragon skeleton traumatised one of our Anglo-Saxon mercenaries during the South Australian Museum's Viking Fest last year. Thankfully, we no longer have to battle these beasts today!

NVG Magnaura Meeting TonightCraft and combat as usual.New faces welcome, come have a go.Tea, biscuits, and possibly a sp...
18/11/2025

NVG Magnaura Meeting Tonight
Craft and combat as usual.
New faces welcome, come have a go.

Tea, biscuits, and possibly a spare sword if you ask nicely.

(Image from 2025 SA Museum Viking Fest)

NVG Magnaura Meeting Tonight! Join us for an evening of craft and combat with the crew.Newcomers always welcome for a co...
11/11/2025

NVG Magnaura Meeting Tonight!
Join us for an evening of craft and combat with the crew.
Newcomers always welcome for a come and try session.

Tea and biscuits provided. Play your cards right and we'll let you borrow a sword.

07/11/2025

NVG Magnaura will begin our Christmas break in the final week of November. Our final gathering for 2025 will be 26th of November.

We'll be returning for 2026 in 12 weeks.

Last weekend we had a very successful display at the Adelaide Cutlers Expo. We had a standing display showing off our ar...
05/11/2025

Last weekend we had a very successful display at the Adelaide Cutlers Expo. We had a standing display showing off our artifacts, weapons, and crafts.
It's wonderful to be able to share our weapons knowledge with such an expert and enthusiastic community.

Thank you to the organisers for having us.

02/07/2025

Both new and seasoned fighting recruits getting some good spear training in.

It's a hell of a shoulder work out.

Address

Campbelltown, SA

Opening Hours

7:30pm - 10pm

Website

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