Getting Involved
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Living history is a thoroughly enriching pursuit, giving audiences the enchanting experience of being transported back in time. For those actively involved, living history can be an adventure - providing opportunities to actively explore history, learn crafts, experience nights round a hearthfire in a meadhall, build firm friendships and pick up knowledge and valuable skills along the way.
The Thegns are a growing group, welcoming and supportive to new members. If you have a firm interest in the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods, and a desire to get hands-on, why not get involved? |
Who can Join? |
Adults of all ages and backgrounds are welcome to apply. Although some of our members are, or have been students of history or archaeology, this is by no means essential, and anyone with a clear interest in the period and a desire to get 'hands-on' is welcome to get involved. Living history or reenactment experience is not essential. As part of the application process we seek to ensure that potential new members have a genuine scholarly interest in the period, something particular to offer the organisation, are prepared to commit to our values as an organisation, prepared to make the commitment necessary to thrive in the environment of sometimes high-pressure living history events, and are likely to fit in well socially with other members of the group.
Thegns of Mercia are primarily based within the English Midlands region but with events and membership increasingly spreading to other corners of the UK we are happy to consider applications from those based further afield Regrettably we are currently not able to admit applicants based outside of the UK. Regrettably we are unable to accept applicants from under 18s. Parents or guardians seeking to join and bring children or dependents should discuss this in their application for consideration case-by-case. As we undertake relatively few high-pressure educational events per year, often with hazardous materials, and with safety and professionalism paramount, we may not be a good fit for young families. |
Investing in You |
One of the biggest roadblocks for getting involved in living history is authentic costume being a minimum requirement. We understand that the upfront cost of time and money involved can be prohibitive. Unlike many groups, we therefore take a different approach; costume is not essential for involvement, and at most events we typically have a few members not in period dress, but proudly wearing t-shirts bearing our logo. These members are able to take part as fully as those in costume.
For members wanting to develop costumed impressions, the Thegns typically do whatever possible to support their efforts, with advice, research materials, contacts, and, for items to be made by hand, practical help. Prior expertise in a particular field or craft is not essential, and our members do whatever possible to support new members in finding their niche and gain new skills and knowledge. All members are encouraged to get involved in our 'Within-Group Learning Progamme' of learning and craft days, share knowledge, and take part in discussions in our ' Leorninghús' online knowledge & idea-sharing network. |
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Application Instructions
If you are interested in getting involved, and becoming a member of the Thegns of Mercia, don't hesitate to contact us using this form and introduce yourself. Please include information about;
In order to consider applications we need to get to know applicants individually. For this reason, if you are seeking to join as a couple or family, please each complete an application in full. We do receive large numbers of applications, and our commitment to support each new member means that regrettably not all applicants can be guaranteed a place in the group. We endeavour to respond to all full applications by email, to discuss next steps. Applications which do not fully address each of the above questions will typically not receive a reply. Once your message is received, we will typically contact you to discuss things further. We often encourage potential new members to meet us at our events to learn more, in person, about what we do, or in our 'quiet season' may seek to arrange for you to meet with a couple of our members to discuss things further. |
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