About us

Introduction

Centingas, previously known as Westcentingas, is an Anglo-Saxon living history society dedicated to the accurate portrayal of life in England during, what is known as, the Anglo-Saxon Period. Pronounced "KENT-ing-as", we borrow our society's name from the Anglo-Saxons themselves, and means "followers of Kent". The Society was originally formed in Kent in August 2007 as a Regia Anglorum local group but in 2010 Centingas became a fully independent society. We retain strong links of friendship with Regia Anglorum, as well as Wulfheodenas and many other national and international groups and societies.

Today, the membership is made up of families and individuals from all over the country, each representing their own unique Anglo-Saxon cultural heritage. To better facilitate Centingas' excellent social aspects, the society is loosely divided into five 'kingdoms' - Kent, Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria. Members living in each of these 'kingdoms' are encouraged to meet together regularly, either for military training, living history development, or simply for good conversation over an ale or two.

We are from diverse backgrounds but share one common passion: to explore, understand and educate others through displays just what it was like to have lived in the turbulent period between the arrival of Hengest and Horsa in Kent in 449AD, through the reign of England's first Christian monarch, King Aethelberht, and the rise of Wessex under Alfred the Great to the death of King Harold in 1066. As a society we portray in general the people who would have lived within and around the estate of an Anglo-Saxon Eorl. This encompasses craftspeople, their spiritual life, and of course, the military.

Anglo-Saxon Arts & Crafts

Textiles

Centingas is very fortunate in having within its membership some very exceptional crafts men and women. It is their passion to seek to accurately recreate historical items that have survived the passing of a millennia or more. Everyday items that once existed in the world we now call Anglo-Saxon England.

Recreating period clothing relies very heavily upon surviving art and manuscript evidence. Pictured left is an Anglo-Saxon man's tunic based on the late 4th century ivory diptych depicting Flavius Stilicho, a high-ranking general in the Roman Western Empire. Despite Stilicho's Roman credentials, his father was a Vandal and therefore of Germanic decent. Stilicho himself is shown wearing a style of tunic that appears to have remained in use in England until the 11th century. This particular tunic was made by Jill Moore who wove the diamond-twill woollen fabric by hand. She then constructed the tunic, again all by hand.

The neck decoration is based on a 7th century Kentish tradition of Animal Style II design found at Thurnham in Kent. Jill has used red and white silk, outlined with gold thread to embroider the design onto blue silk, thus creating a tunic that would have been the highly personalized property of a member of the Anglo-Saxon ruling elite.

Arms & Armour

Much of what is left to us is in a poor state of preservation and therefore requires a great deal of accompanying research before attempting an accurate reconstruction. An excellent example of this is the Pioneer Helm, pictured right, together with Tim Noyes' superb reconstruction.

This uniquely English period helm, which is also known as the Wollaston Helmet or Northamptonshire Helmet, is a 7th century Anglo-Saxon boar-crested helm and was found by archaeologists from Northamptonshire Archaeology at a quarry site operated by Pioneer Aggregates. The original helm was found in an incomplete state but enough remained for Tim Noyes to make his extremely accurate reconstruction.

Tim Noyes has is own company called Heron Armoury which is located in Whitstable, Kent.

In most cases very little is left, especially organic materials such as wood, bone, leather and textiles such as wool and linen . However, not all has been lost and small amounts of organic material does appear from time to time. This, together with contemporary literary, pictorial and other artistic reference material, helps build a picture, albeit a fragmentary one, of how objects looked and how they were manufactured.

Mark Routledge has closely studied contemporary surviving source material to complete many fine reconstructions. Pictured right is one such example, a seax from Grave 155 from the Butler's Field Anglo-Saxon cemetery, one of the largest and most important Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in the Upper Thames Valley. All that remained of the seax was its iron blade, which Mark has skilfully reproduced together with a horn and antler handle and leather sheath, all of which he has constructed in the appropriate period and cultural style.

Mark's company is called Wessex Wildcraft which is located in Wiltshire.

Tools

As with weapons finds, Anglo-Saxon domestic tools have survived the passage of time in various degrees of preservation. As with textiles, a great deal of research and experimentation has to be undertaken before a reconstruction can be made and shown to the public.

Dennis Riley has dedicated thousands of hours to the research of Anglo-Saxon iron-making and its products. The net result is a collection of Anglo-Saxon woodworking, ironworking, leatherworking, domestic and agricultural tools. Dennis also reconstructs the more ornate personal items found in Anglo-Saxon graves, such as belt fittings and their many attachments, such as girdle hangers, toilet sets, sieve spoons, etc.

Dennis, as one might expect, is based in Sheffield, famous for its steel industry. His company is called Daegrad Tools.

Associated Groups & Societies

Regia Anglorum

Centingas maintains its historical links with Regia Anglorum, with whom it has had a long association. Centingas is still known by its old name 'Westcentingas' in Regia and retains its old landgrant in West Kent (denoted by the green area in the modern inset map). A "land grant" is a Regia Anglorum term reflecting how land was distributed by the King, Church and the aristocracy.

This division of the county is due to the fact that two other Regia Anglorum groups exist within Kent. The Milites de Bec and Medwaeg.

Wulfheodenas

As with Regia Anglorum, Centingas has a close association with Wulfheodenas and share many of its members.

Formally founded in 2008 by Paul Mortimer and Stephen Pollington, Wulfheodenas is a living history society dedicated to the study of the military and meadhall culture of the 6th & 7th Century North Western European peoples, who would become known to later generations as the Early English.

El Clan del Cuervo

El Clan del Cuervo (The Clan of the Raven) is the premier Spanish re-enactment society. They seek to recreate life in the Early to Late Medieval Period. They have three sections; one focused on the Scandinavian Viking Age at the end of the 10th century, another on the Visigothic Kingdom of the 7th century and the last recreates the different cultures (Christian and Muslim) within the Iberian Peninsula in the age of El Cid, in the second half of the 11th century.

El Clan del Cuervo have become our very special friends and we endeavour to work together, either here or in Spain, whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Joining Centingas

If you are interested in joining Centingas, we suggest you come along to one of our 'hearth nights' - essentially, an excuse for us to meet in a local hostelry and do business over a sherbet or two - or, if you're interested in becoming a Centingas warrior, come and see us at training. Alternatively you could visit us at one of our many events.

Centingas has members from all over the country, many of whom play a very full and active role in the society.

If you are interested in joining Centingas or would simply like further information please contact Andy Stephens (Group Leader) Tel: 07810 754441 or Email: info@centingas.co.uk

Living History >>


About Us Living History The Warriors What We Do School Visits Gallery Links Events Forum About us Introduction Centingas, previously known as Westcentingas, is an Anglo-Saxon living history society dedicated to the accurate portrayal of life in England during, what is known as, the Anglo-Saxon Period. Pronounced "KENT-ing-as", we borrow our society's name from the Anglo-Saxons themselves, and means "followers of Kent". The Society was originally formed in Kent in August 2007 as a Regia Anglorum local group but in 2010 Centingas became a fully independent society. We retain strong links of friendship with Regia Anglorum, as well as Wulfheodenas and many other national and international groups and societies. Today, the membership is made up of families and individuals from all over the country, each representing their own unique Anglo-Saxon cultural heritage. To better facilitate Centingas' excellent social aspects, the society is loosely divided into five 'kingdoms' - Kent, Wessex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria. Members living in each of these 'kingdoms' are encouraged to meet together regularly, either for military training, living history development, or simply for good conversation over an ale or two. We are from diverse backgrounds but share one common passion: to explore, understand and educate others through displays just what it was like to have lived in the turbulent period between the arrival of Hengest and Horsa in Kent in 449AD, through the reign of England's first Christian monarch, King Aethelberht, and the rise of Wessex under Alfred the Great to the death of King Harold in 1066. As a society we portray in general the people who would have lived within and around the estate of an Anglo-Saxon Eorl. This encompasses craftspeople, their spiritual life, and of course, the military. Living History >> Anglo-Saxon Arts & Crafts Textiles Centingas is very fortunate in having within its membership some very exceptional crafts men and women. It is their passion to seek to accurately recreate historical items that have survived the passing of a millennia or more. Everyday items that once existed in the world we now call Anglo-Saxon England. Recreating period clothing relies very heavily upon surviving art and manuscript evidence. Pictured left is an Anglo-Saxon man's tunic based on the late 4th century ivory diptych depicting Flavius Stilicho, a high-ranking general in the Roman Western Empire. Despite Stilicho's Roman credentials, his father was a Vandal and therefore of Germanic decent. Stilicho himself is shown wearing a style of tunic that appears to have remained in use in England until the 11th century. This particular tunic was made by Jill Moore who wove the diamond-twill woollen fabric by hand. She then constructed the tunic, again all by hand. The neck decoration is based on a 7th century Kentish tradition of Animal Style II design found at Thurnham in Kent. Jill has used red and white silk, outlined with gold thread to embroider the design onto blue silk, thus creating a tunic that would have been the highly personalized property of a member of the Anglo-Saxon ruling elite. Arms & Armour Much of what is left to us is in a poor state of preservation and therefore requires a great deal of accompanying research before attempting an accurate reconstruction. An excellent example of this is the Pioneer Helm, pictured right, together with Tim Noyes' superb reconstruction. This uniquely English period helm, which is also known as the Wollaston Helmet or Northamptonshire Helmet, is a 7th century Anglo-Saxon boar-crested helm and was found by archaeologists from Northamptonshire Archaeology at a quarry site operated by Pioneer Aggregates. The original helm was found in an incomplete state but enough remained for Tim Noyes to make his extremely accurate reconstruction. Tim Noyes has is own company called Heron Armoury which is located in Whitstable, Kent. In most cases very little is left, especially organic materials such as wood, bone, leather and textiles such as wool and linen . However, not all has been lost and small amounts of organic material does appear from time to time. This, together with contemporary literary, pictorial and other artistic reference material, helps build a picture, albeit a fragmentary one, of how objects looked and how they were manufactured. Mark Routledge has closely studied contemporary surviving source material to complete many fine reconstructions. Pictured right is one such example, a seax from Grave 155 from the Butler's Field Anglo-Saxon cemetery, one of the largest and most important Anglo-Saxon cemeteries in the Upper Thames Valley. All that remained of the seax was its iron blade, which Mark has skilfully reproduced together with a horn and antler handle and leather sheath, all of which he has constructed in the appropriate period and cultural style. Mark's company is called Wessex Wildcraft which is located in Wiltshire. Tools As with weapons finds, Anglo-Saxon domestic tools have survived the passage of time in various degrees of preservation. As with textiles, a great deal of research and experimentation has to be undertaken before a reconstruction can be made and shown to the public. Dennis Riley has dedicated thousands of hours to the research of Anglo-Saxon iron-making and its products. The net result is a collection of Anglo-Saxon woodworking, ironworking, leatherworking, domestic and agricultural tools. Dennis also reconstructs the more ornate personal items found in Anglo-Saxon graves, such as belt fittings and their many attachments, such as girdle hangers, toilet sets, sieve spoons, etc. Dennis, as one might expect, is based in Sheffield, famous for its steel industry. His company is called Daegrad Tools. Associated Groups & Societies Regia Anglorum Centingas maintains its historical links with Regia Anglorum, with whom it has had a long association. Centingas is still known by its old name 'Westcentingas' in Regia and retains its old landgrant in West Kent (denoted by the green area in the modern inset map). A "land grant" is a Regia Anglorum term reflecting how land was distributed by the King, Church and the aristocracy. This division of the county is due to the fact that two other Regia Anglorum groups exist within Kent. The Milites de Bec and Medwaeg. Wulfheodenas As with Regia Anglorum, Centingas has a close association with Wulfheodenas and share many of its members. Formally founded in 2008 by Paul Mortimer and Stephen Pollington, Wulfheodenas is a living history society dedicated to the study of the military and meadhall culture of the 6th & 7th Century North Western European peoples, who would become known to later generations as the Early English. El Clan del Cuervo El Clan del Cuervo (The Clan of the Raven) is the premier Spanish re-enactment society. They seek to recreate life in the Early to Late Medieval Period. They have three sections; one focused on the Scandinavian Viking Age at the end of the 10th century, another on the Visigothic Kingdom of the 7th century and the last recreates the different cultures (Christian and Muslim) within the Iberian Peninsula in the age of El Cid, in the second half of the 11th century. El Clan del Cuervo have become our very special friends and we endeavour to work together, either here or in Spain, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Joining Centingas If you are interested in joining Centingas, we suggest you come along to one of our 'hearth nights' - essentially, an excuse for us to meet in a local hostelry and do business over a sherbet or two - or, if you're interested in becoming a Centingas warrior, come and see us at training. Alternatively you could visit us at one of our many events. Centingas has members from all over the country, many of whom play a very full and active role in the society. If you are interested in joining Centingas or would simply like further information please contact Andy Stephens (Group Leader) Tel: 07810 754441 or Email: info@centingas.co.uk Living History >>