User:Ashfordgraham/sandbox

Deeds of Arms is a Hampshire based society of historical players specialising in the Gladiatorial Combat of the 2nd Century AD, Stage Combat and the fait d'armes of the 1360s!

Name
The group name "Deeds of Arms" is based upon the medieval French "fait d'armes". The society is known more simply as "Deeds" or "DOA" among members and customers.

Origins and History
The society was started January 1st 2008 by the amalgamation of two previously existing societies called Ludus Gladiatorius and Warcraft. The two societies met to train at the same location in Fareham, Hampshire, UK, shared some of it's members and core skills. Notably the two groups worked side by side at the highly successful International Festival of the Sea (IFOS) in 2005 at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard.

Ludus Gladiatorius was a 1st and 2nd Century Gladiatorial Reenactment Society started in 1999. However the membership decided it would like to incorporate medieval reenactment of the 100 Years War. Traditionally, between the two societies, costumed medieval events (among others events) had been undertaken by Warcraft. Due to this continued blurring of the two group's areas of expertise (medieval, IFOS, theatre work and Roman shows) and joint membership it was proposed to the members of both groups to vote on the joining of the two societies into a single group, Deeds of Arms. Deeds of Arms officially became the name of the two societies 1st January 2008.

Location
Deeds is based in Southern Hampshire and draws most of its membership from the Hampshire region; mostly as we meet to train once a week in Locksheath, Hampshire. Although Hampshire based, the society has travelled to events at a wide ranging series of locations, that have internationally included the UK, Italy (Rome), Holland, France & Germany; and nationally 30 European sites which include Archeon, Portsmouth Historic Dockyards, Kalkriese, The Royal Armouries, The British Museum, Corfe Castle, Flag Fenn, Peterborough Cathedral, Lulworth Castle, Bavay & Dover Castle.