hen used in conjunction with the "Impressions" page, this Handbuch is meant to be inspirational, not definitive.  We are all learning and this book is designed to aid the living historian in correctly presenting their impression, portrayal or persona in Magnus Kompanie.

Focus and Fun...

The focal point of this group is the decade of the 1470s. There are a great many conflicts during this decade and we are specializing in the Siege of Neuss and subsequent Burgundian Wars.  Our secondary specialties shall be Peasant Revolts (just beginning at this time) and conflicts with Raubritters (now waning). Beyond these focal points, other areas our group fits is as Mercenaries hired during the Wars of the Roses. 

This gives a lot of opportunities of interesting points in history for members to be a part of!  We hope to host events of our own in the future to give a little variety to the reenacting community as well.

While we specialize in Living History portraying folks from Hesse-Kassel, Germany from 1471-1479; if the event we are attending specializes in fantasy and not history, the group may just want to go and have fun playing along with the fantasy genre.  HOWEVER: if the group has decided to attend the event with the intention of promoting Living History, all members in attendance should keep to their historically correct personas and gear.

Events...

During events based on battle scenarios, all attending members should adhere to the following protocol:    All members attending these events should have a grasp on the basic information about this place and time.  All the information has already been researched for you and a primer coarse is readily available. Contact the Hauptmann, von Magnus.  All combatants are required to pass safety inspections and private drill tests to ensure the member is not a danger to him/herself or others around them.

This is not a difficult task, as these types of events will be more concerned on field exercises and not talk about "civilian-life".  Many of these events will not have public in attendance to drill you on your knowledge, but rather there exists an environment for the benefit of all re-enactors in attendance.  Event coordinators put a lot of time, effort and money into providing an accurate program for everyone to enjoy and we should not "stand out" with impressions that are incorrect for the scenario presented, ruining it for our hosts and neighbors.

That being said, it should be the goal of all members of Magnus Kompanie to want to come to grasp with a great deal of the information available to them, in the hopes of understanding the history they seek to portray.  Its fine to just dress up and have fun, immersing yourself in an environment such as this.  But to fully enjoy the experience, you should be willing to learn something in the process! 

Members...

Being the place and time is set in definite, let it be understood that this restriction is the only one implied.  The roles of both male and female group members shall not be restricted to purely militaristic or civilian.  Both aspects should be considered and enjoyed by each member as per their tastes.  Many European and UK re-enacting organizations allow female combatants and one of the most respected and largest European organizations, The Company of Saynt George, presents female combatants with historic documentation.  Even the support personnel and civilians in the baggage train were documented to have enough weaponry to defend themselves, as they were so close to thebattlefield and the women of our baggage trains were involved in the looting while their men fought on!

That being said, it is important to display that this group is a collection of medieval and history enthusiasts who are putting a lot of time, effort and money into this hobby and therefore purely-combat oriented folks with no respect to why they have a sword in their hand are not welcome.  

All members should follow the strict guidelines of the re-enacting hobby for the benefit and safety of all members and the education of the public.  Those who prefer just the military side, but that also holds respect for his impression and researches his role, is welcome in this group.  Those seeking only the civilian side, who also grant enough respect and research into their role are also most welcome!  In both civilian and military impressions, historic accuracy is the primary concern here.

It should be understood that the basis of this unit is primarily focused around a generic unit raised by the Holy Roman Empire to fight in the Burgundian Wars.  While that is our niche at an event, the members of this unit are not required to portray military members.  Civilian personnel are very important in educating the public fully on real medieval camp life and are indispensable for the proper function of a camp while at war.

This is also an outlet, as the crafter's in the unit have the ability to get their wares to the public through the groups' mercantile.  We have artisans that craft chainmaille, natural herbal remedies, book-binding, leather working, armour smithing, sewing and artwork and we foster those who wish to join us in these artistic pursuits.  

To that end it should be encouraged that camp-life is the primary focus of this living history group. However, the public being educated by us should not be confused into thinking that all medieval people lived out of tents!.  Before we started living in tents, on the march, we lived  in the city of Kassel. It is to your benefit and the public's to understand life in the city, as well as the camp, are both equally important.  

But it should not cause public misconception that everyone lived out of tents in the Medieval era.  It should be stated always that camp-life is a specific purpose and most everyone lived in homes made of sod or brick or stone or wood.  Researching a place to call your home and explaining that to the public is highly encouraged.  Did you live in a Medieval city, or a farm being a serf for a lord, or perhaps you lived in the lord's household?  But keep in mind how that has to fit with why you are in this military group.

The first and most important part of a living historians' project is research.  This cannot be stressed enough!  Even veterans to the hobby are finding new things!  So get out there and read some books, articles and databases!

How to begin your impression...