Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia

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Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia (sometimes known as the Markland Medieval Militia^[1] also as "Markland Co." and its members as Marklanders^[2] is a non-profit historical educational organization, incorporated in Maryland 1975-06-23^[3] and operating mostly from the Virginias through the New York City area with a membership of about 500 ^[4]. This groups recreation is based around 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, "requiring (and allowing) more realistic medieval armor and truer fighting scenarios"... than contemporary re-enactment groups. Markland's Battle of Hastings which was held yearly since its founding was for a while the longest running annually held North American re-enactment of a European Battle until being canceled due to rain in 2006.^[5] The term Markland refers to the name Leif Ericson gave North America.

Markland members re-enact medieval life by constructing and using reproductions of the periods accouterments ^[6]. In many ways this group is similar to other contemporary re-enactment groups. ^[1] Markland concentrates on more realistic period fighting over the general arts and recreation of medieval life. Unlike other organizations which combat wise concentrate on either choreographed live steel or live combat based around Rattan core weapons, Markland encompasses both.^[5]

Markland's living history displays are an important part of the organizations quest to educate the public on medieval life. Markland is setup as a confederacy of groups. The organizational heads for Markland are voted on yearly by all paid members. As groups come and go within Markland, Markland continues to thrive due to no single group being important to the continued existence of Markland. Markland's events are characterized by the ability of people to choose their own level of commitment and their own activities. Although most events are concentrated around the rattan fighting, it is easy to find anything from wool dyeing to leather working to even pumpkin carving and mead making. In Addition to fighting events, Markland also holds feasts that are sometimes non-public events. They are usally held as close to medieval period as possible, with people dressing up in medieval garb and using medieval utensils and dishes.

Markland also has a Viking Longboat group known as the "Longship Company, Ltd." that uses a real Viking Longboat that some will fight from. Although it is sometimes used in medieval re-enactment, it is generally not used for rough rattan fighting and instead used occasionally in choreographed live steel fighting. ^[7]

Marklanders were part of the first student Monarchy Party—which they called the Monarchist Party—when they were attending University of Maryland, College Park.^[8]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b Carlsobut, Kevin M.. "Washington weekend; out & about, Knightly day", The Washington Times, 1992-10-01, p. M3.
^ Fall Council Meeting, September 25, 2004 (HTML). Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia (2004-09-25).
^ ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION (HTML). Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia (1975-06-23). Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
^ Blechman, Barbara H.. "Medieval Crisis", The Washington Post, 1983-06-17, p. 3.
^ ^a ^b Berg, Scott. "Battlefield of Dreams", The Washington Post, 2001-10-19, p. T33.
^ "GRUDGE MATCH FOR ASHDOWN", The Washington Post, 1984-01-27, p. 3.
^ Vikings (Radio/Streamed Media). Talk of the Nation. National Public Radio (2000-05-30). Retrieved on 2006-09-07.
^ Lande, Jim. The Militia, Where I Learned to Fight with an Axe (PDF). Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia. Retrieved on 2006-09-07.