In grand anticipation to meet military units across the ages, my son, daughter, and her boyfriend joined me in this first time-travel adventure for us.
Greeted by this M*A*S*H styled signage, we found them throughout the encampments which I loved!
60 AD – ROMAN LEGIO IX
When we found the missing Roman Legion IX, whom we studied in homeschool, we excitedly engaged in conversation about their mysterious disappearance.
One of our favorite homeschool books was The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff.
The Eagle of the Ninth is a beautifully written fictionalized account of two known details: the disappearance of Legio IX Hispana from the historical record when it was stationed at an outpost where Hadrian’s Wall now stands, and the later discovery of a wingless Roman eagle.
There is much debate over the fact and myth of this piece of historical fiction, especially since new details have been gleaned.
Yet the line has yet to be clearly drawn between history and myth.
These Roman standards were designed so military members could find their units in the heat of battle.
While the standard of a calvary unit was often symbolized with a serpent, infantry units often used the eagle.
After many military feats and grand pronouncements of glory in the news of the day, Legio IX mysteriously fell off the record in the second century.
As third-person interpreters, these Roman reenactors engaged us in their latest discoveries to the mystery.
1000 AD – VIKINGS
Meeting the Fenvald Vikings, we learned that fenvald means people of the bog, which reflects their strength and authority.
We spied a friendly game of hnefatafl between two Vikings…
After learning about the Viking alphabet, I was invited to spell out my name.
Laurie in Viking is…well, I confess that didn’t master the pronunciation.
This calcite crystal was used by Vikings for navigation.
HUNDRED YEARS WAR
The pièce de résistance entailed our visit to the Hundred Years War, where we talked about longbows!
Elated, I noticed that the gambeson they wore looked much like the one I sewed my son.
Since I did a lot of research into the historical methods for gambesons, I was glad for this proof I was on the right track.
We loved this display of armour and chain mail!
Then a knight demonstrated how he gets into his shining armor.
After that, my son received a fencing lesson.
Since my son had researched historic fencing techniques several years ago, he enjoyed engaging with the knight to learn new tips.
(My son wore an authentic coat from World War II, btw)
WAR OF 1812
We had a fascinating discussion with the reenactor from the American Forces from Hampton Roads, located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia.
Of prime discussion was the rocket, made famous by Francis Scott Key when he wrote The Star-Spangled Banner.
Despite the heavy use of rockets by the British, our flag did not fall.
When this reenactor reminded us of that, he explained why these Congreve rockets were not successful in the Fort McHenry attack.
1944 SEABEES
One unit I wish we had more time to visit was USN 111th Naval Construction Battalion, Normandy, France 1944.
From the name Construction Battalion comes the initials CB that became the nickname Seabees.
Stationed at Camp Peary in nearby Williamsburg, the Seabees were among the first to go ashore at Normandy beaches.
MILITARY PASS AND REVIEW
The finale for Military through the Ages at Jamestown Settlement brought the Pass and Review which included a moving speech followed by a bugler playing Taps, which was written a few miles away from this event, during the Civil War.
RAN OUT OF TIME
Unfortunately, we ran out of time to see all the units we wanted to see. Since one day is obviously not enough time to explore Military through the Ages, I plan to be in the area for the full event next time, a full two days.
PHOTOS GALORE
Although we ran out of time, I took gobs of pictures of every unit I could, all of which I posted to this Flickr set.
