The Montgomery Levy

Military and civilian living history displays combat and craft demonstrations of the medieval age

The Montgomery Levy is an association based in mid-Wales and the borders of medieval re-enactors, living history demonstrators and professional educators. We are all volunteers. The association can draw upon many years of re-enactment and living history experience, combined with theatre, youth activities and teaching from its membership and was established in 1999.

Events are staged within a living history encampment of authentic medieval pavilion’s and tents, traders, artisans, craftsmen shelters and soldiers huts. The living history and demonstrations are specific to the period of history known as the Middle Ages. These reflect the historic events from the Norman conquest, to the Welsh wars of Edward I and the Welsh Princes in the late 13th C.to the start of the Tudor dynasty in the last quarter of the 15th C during the Wars of the Roses.

The Montgomeryshire Levy portrays the various foot soldiers of the feudal host employed during this period. These range from the levy of ill trained and ill equipped serf’s to the professional mercenary soldier such as the Gascon crossbowmen and retained men at arms and archers. Living history and combat demonstrations of weapons and armour portrays the life and experiences of these troops whilst on campaign, enduring a siege or garrisoning a castle. A range of crafts and trades are also demonstrated to show the methods of producing the mass of goods needed to service the medieval army; including metal work, leather work, carpentry, clothes and a field kitchen.

Encamped at Blore Heath

The demonstrations include an opportunity for the visitor to have a go at these activities for themselves, learning how to spin thread or make rush lights for example.

Medieval traders display in the Bailey of Ewyas Harold castle, one of the oldest Motte and Bailey castles in the UK.

Battle Reenactments

The group also operates as an affiliate of other societies for larger events, for example, The Stanley Household, Ferrers Household and the Sir John Savile's Household. Here we are members of the larger Wars of the Roses Federation please see their website for further information.

The Montgomery Levy 1461 - 2011

From 2011 the group has focused on the 550th anniversary of the Wars of the Roses battles and events on the Marches.

We portray the levies raised in this period under the banner of the Marcher Lord Richard Grey of Powis

The levy still focus on the troops arrayed at the castle in the town of Montgomery and has adopted the badge of the town as its flag...the crossed keys of St Peter, continuing to wear the blue and yellow livery of Montgomery.