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The size of Roman horses seems to have stayed constant throughout the Imperial period. Size is crucial in determining sp...
07/06/2026

The size of Roman horses seems to have stayed constant throughout the Imperial period. Size is crucial in determining speed of manoeuvre and the effectiveness of Roman cavalry.

Skeletal evidence suggests that in Britain, actual military horses were the size of small ponies, robust animals of 13.2 hands, with riders to match. On mainland Europe the average slightly taller at 14 hands. They had to be be capable of living outside and surviving the British climate.

Reconstructions have a powerful visual impact. They can inspire and attract people to learn more about the period. But l...
31/05/2026

Reconstructions have a powerful visual impact. They can inspire and attract people to learn more about the period. But learning to use them can yield valuable data and greater understanding. They are integral to the understanding of artefacts and those who used them.

Cavalrymen have to find a way of carrying their shield, bow, arrows, lance and sometimes javelins, either hanging from t...
29/05/2026

Cavalrymen have to find a way of carrying their shield, bow, arrows, lance and sometimes javelins, either hanging from the saddle or themselves. As the late 6th century Strategikon of the Emperor Maurice states, riders must be able to hang their lance from their shoulder while drawing the bow and placing an arrow on the string. They must then be able to replace the bow and ready the lance.

Put simply riders must learn to look like Roman soldiers, comfortable with their kit and weaponry.

Vegetius in Book III outlines how soldiers should perform armatura, for most of the day until they are exhausted.These c...
28/05/2026

Vegetius in Book III outlines how soldiers should perform armatura, for most of the day until they are exhausted.

These capped spears must be close to 20 years old. A deflected thrust leads to a counter thrust, which just misses the head.

York is very much our home city, and we are pleased to support its Roman Festival. Brilliant weather ensured a massive p...
25/05/2026

York is very much our home city, and we are pleased to support its Roman Festival. Brilliant weather ensured a massive public turnout. We loved the way the crowd interacted with our displays, and we really loved the cheers and all the applause. Our infantry displays always create a bit of magic. It was good to work with the Ermine Street Guard and the other groups present, and the chance to see the Melsonby Hoard was much appreciated.

Massive crowds and brilliant weather at the Eboracum Roman Festival. Targets were destroyed and records were set. All o...
23/05/2026

Massive crowds and brilliant weather at the Eboracum Roman Festival. Targets were destroyed and records were set. All on very little sleep.

The sacred standards renewed, for a new generation.Take a good look southern softies, last thing you'll ever see!
22/05/2026

The sacred standards renewed, for a new generation.

Take a good look southern softies, last thing you'll ever see!

"I do not care how hot it is, Yorkshire Legionaries cannot walk around in their underwear. They will burn and shrivel up...
22/05/2026

"I do not care how hot it is, Yorkshire Legionaries cannot walk around in their underwear. They will burn and shrivel up."

Getting ready for a gloriously sunny York Roman Festival. We are in front of the Yorkshire Museum. Underwear will be kept on.

Near this spot on 25th July AD 306, Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor by his army. His Principia now lies und...
19/05/2026

Near this spot on 25th July AD 306, Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor by his army. His Principia now lies under York Minster.

His Comitatus is getting ready for the York Roman Festival, 23/24 May in the Abbey Grounds.

The sun will shine on the righteous!

Chesters is the largest known military bath house in the UK. And many would say that Bath has the largest civilian bath ...
17/05/2026

Chesters is the largest known military bath house in the UK. And many would say that Bath has the largest civilian bath house.

But many of us live in or around York, at times the capital of the Roman Empire. Evidence of perhaps the largest civilian bath complex in the UK was found opposite York railway station, set into rear of the medieval wall embankment in the old station yard. It was partly uncovered in 1939 while excavating an Air Raid Wardens Control Centre. The bomb shelter still exists today, despite the new building work around it.

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