About Us
We are a group of re-enactors who portray a company of travelling entertainers in the Tudor, Medieval and Victorian periods. Normally, our Tudor/Medieval events are set between 1470 and 1610, with occasional visits to the 13th century, and our Victorian events are set in the late 19th century. We are a "first person" group; that is we are portraying people of the time. For example, we would say "I am doing this" rather than "this is the way they would have done it." We pride ourselves in our authenticity.
Our typical event involves creating an encampment around which is centered the daily life of the company. We have historically accurate dress, tools and accessories to enable us to portray life on the road, as well as authentic names, characters, history and speech.
Our main aim is to have fun and pass this on to the visiting public along with accurate historical insight. Participation is positively encouraged, though not obligatory. Visitors often stay with us the whole day, even at small events, and can join in the dancing, take small parts in plays and enjoy playing trapball; an authentic game not unlike a cross between rounders and cricket.
Our typical event involves creating an encampment around which is centered the daily life of the company. We have historically accurate dress, tools and accessories to enable us to portray life on the road, as well as authentic names, characters, history and speech.
Our main aim is to have fun and pass this on to the visiting public along with accurate historical insight. Participation is positively encouraged, though not obligatory. Visitors often stay with us the whole day, even at small events, and can join in the dancing, take small parts in plays and enjoy playing trapball; an authentic game not unlike a cross between rounders and cricket.
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Why the name "Melford hys Companie"?Players in the 16th century required the patronage of a nobleman (and a signed licence) in order to travel around the country free from accusations of vagrancy. For example, Shakespeare was a member of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. We created our patron - Lord Melford - from Long Melford, a village in Suffolk where the companie first met. Hence, we are 'Lord Melford's Companie' or 'Melford hys Companie'.
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