'Weekend warriors' : issues of authenticity, cultural memory, and organisation amongst UK and US re-enactors
This thesis explores the aims and motives of re-enactors/ living historians from a systematic and critical perspective. These volunteer âweekend warriorsâ appear at various sites on weekends and bank holidays, dressed in period clothing and demonstrating ways of life that no longer exist. While it seems the public generally enjoys re-enactments, there are concerns as to the overall value of these hobbyists. This work examines modern (re-)constructions of the past by volunteer re-enactors/ living historians in the US and UK primarily in three historical periods (the Roman invasion of Britain through the Norman conquest, the North American Lace Wars, and the American Civil War) through qualitative and inductive research at various re-enactment events throughout 2010 and 2011. This research has focused on various aspects of the hobby as seen through the eyes of the re-enactors themselves including: their motivations, research for events, what re-enactors gain from participating and what they see as potential benefits for themselves and others. Additionally, this thesis investigates how re-enactors construct and understand authenticity in a group, in their personal roles, and as part of a performance. Furthermore,
Pezzo, K. A.
'Weekend warriors' : issues of authenticity, cultural memory, and organisation amongst UK and US re-enactors. This thesis explores the aims and motives of re-enactors/ living historians from a systematic and critical perspective. These volunteer âweekend warriorsâ appear at various sites on weekends and bank holidays, dressed in period clothing and demonstrating ways of life that no longer exist. While it seems the public generally enjoys re-enactments, there are concerns as to the overall value of these hobbyists. This work examines modern (re-)constructions of the past by volunteer re-enactors/ living historians in the US and UK primarily in three historical periods (the Roman invasion of Britain through the Norman conquest, the North American Lace Wars, and the American Civil War) through qualitative and inductive research at various re-enactment events throughout 2010 and 2011. This research has focused on various aspects of the hobby as seen through the eyes of the re-enactors themselves including: their motivations, research for events, what re-enactors gain from participating and what they see as potential benefits for themselves and others. Additionally, this thesis investigates how re-enactors construct and understand authenticity in a group, in their personal roles, and as part of a performance. Furthermore,
warrior issue authenticity cultural_memory organisation amongst explores aim motif living historian systematic critical_perspective warrior appear various site bank period clothe demonstrate way_life longer exist seem public generally enjoy concern overall value work examines modern construction past volunteer living historian primarily historical_period roman invasion britain norman_conquest north_american lace wars american_civil_war qualitative inductive various enactment event throughout focus various_aspect see eye include motivation event gain participate see potential benefit others additionally investigate construct authenticity group personal role part performance furthermore