About us
Did you think the Dark Ages were over?
Well, not quite…deep in the Forest of Wychwood, there remains one small band of warriors, forgotten by time, who still defend their hidden lair against the invaders!
Officially known as the Oxford University Historical Re-enactment Society, the Wychwood Warriors are dedicated to recreating aspects of Anglo-Saxon and Viking life in early mediæval England. This wiki serves both as the main website of Wychwood, and also to provide information and guides about Dark Ages Re-enactment.
What we do
With Wychwood you can…
- Learn how to fight with replica Dark Age weapons.
- Make your own costume and kit using simple techniques based on up-to-date historical evidence.
- Join us for a range of social events, including…fires, feasts, trips to historic sites, markets and learning more about the Early Medieval World.
- Take part in shows involving thousands of reenactors - with living history displays, showfights and teaching the public about Dark Age life and warfare.
Interested?
We have a whole range of events each term for freshers and anyone else interested! You do not need any experience or historical knowledge: we welcome complete beginners, as well as seasoned re-enactors, and everyone in between. Most members are not historians, so you don’t need any expertise - just interest in what we do!
Our upcoming activities include…
- Kitmaking sessions every Thursday where you can make your own Anglo-Saxon or Viking clothing and learn crafts such as tablet weaving, chain-mail making and leather working
- Battle Practice every Sunday, where you can learn how to fight with swords, spears and plenty more!
- Bonfires, typically in third week, with pizza and songs.
- A Dark Age feast, typically in seventh week.
Be sure to check our Termcard for the most up to date info on our events. If you would like to find out more about our activities or have any questions, please contact us or just come along to a battle practice!
Equality and diversity
Q) Who can join, and are there any restrictions on who can do what?
A) Anybody can join who has an interest in recreating life in early mediaeval Britain. We welcome members of any gender, background or faith. We are opposed to all forms of discrimination; everything is for everybody. Disability may limit the activities that are safe and enjoyable, but we will work with any member to try to maximise their involvement.
Contact Us
Please contact us by email to ku.ca.xo.sbulctneduts|yteicos.doowhcyw#ku.ca.xo.sbulctneduts|yteicos.doowhcyw with any enquiries or if you wish to sign up to our mailing list.
You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram:
Wychwood on the web
2014 The Oxford Student: Mock mêlées, murderous mayhem, and mead meets
2013 Cherwell Tries: Historical Re-enactment
2010 video of Wychwood by students from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication
2009 video of Wychwood by those good folks at the Cherwell
2008 video of Wychwood for Oxford University's Cherwell24
2000 Mediaeval Man: Presidential Profile in Keble newsletter
Important notices
1) You must acknowledge the Wychwood Warriors when reproducing articles from this Wiki, and include the Wikiwood URL. Any articles or documents copied or downloaded from this site must not be altered or edited in reproduction.
2) Wychwood Warriors cannot and will not be held responsible for any personal injury or damage to possessions resulting from following our guides and fighting scripts. These are designed for our own personal use as responsible and trained re-enactors and should not be used by people without the correct equipment and experience to fight safely. We do not recommend their use by anyone other than training officers of established re-enactment societies.
Notes for members
If you're a Wychwooder who wants to join Wikiwood, please read the How To Use the Wiki page.
When creating or editing a page, please keep a consistent style. A template has been created to help you do this.
