"Jacobite" garb

[Galloglass]

thay twa must hae been lairds thay wir weel dressed maist ordinari clansmen didnae hae say fanci claithes nor shin on thair feet nor hae a musket ,maist highlanders wir jist workin men fer a laird ain wid hae thair faimli sword fundit bi thair faithir ait anithir battle in amangst thi thatch bit moni just yaised thair workin shuchs maybi a axe aur a scyth wi a woodin handel, Thi Highland regali seen here ain maist picturs is part militari kit

[Sir William]

thay twa must hae been lairds thay wir weel dressed maist ordinari clansmen didnae hae say fanci claithes nor shin on thair feet nor hae a musket ,maist highlanders wir jist workin men fer a laird ain wid hae thair faimli sword fundit bi thair faithir ait anithir battle in amangst thi thatch bit moni just yaised thair workin shuchs maybi a axe aur a scyth wi a woodin handel, Thi Highland regali seen here ain maist picturs is part militari kit

All too true. Most of the recreated 1745 Jacobites that I've seen, both here in the US and in Scotland as well, would pass for the lairds and his close kin - not the average crofter. Plenty of swords, targes, firelocks, and all that - but then that "look" is also what catches the interest of the average spectator/visitor, which is what we're there to do.

[Woodsheal]

All too true. Most of the recreated 1745 Jacobites that I've seen, both here in the US and in Scotland as well, would pass for the lairds and his close kin - not the average crofter. Plenty of swords, targes, firelocks, and all that - but then that "look" is also what catches the interest of the average spectator/visitor, which is what we're there to do.

Some times the guys new to reenacting look the proper "humbly" part: shirt and belted plaid only, occasionally barefooted, armed with a simple polearm, etc. But then they see all the pretty swords, guns, and clothes - and they want 'em! Give them a couple of years and they've acquired all the "stuff." Luckily, a few cling to the common look.
It should be remembered, though, that lots of "stands of arms" - muskets, bayonets, cartridge boxes, infantry swords - were issued to many of the clansmen who did not have them....

[macwilkin]

All too true. Most of the recreated 1745 Jacobites that I've seen, both here in the US and in Scotland as well, would pass for the lairds and his close kin - not the average crofter. Plenty of swords, targes, firelocks, and all that - but then that "look" is also what catches the interest of the average spectator/visitor, which is what we're there to do.

And that's the $64,000 question when it comes to reenacting -- do we give the the spectator what they expect to see, or do we give them "just the facts", to paraphrase Jack Webb.

This is exactly why I always preferred living history events, where the public could interact with us via interpretive programs and learn with the "myth" was shattered, so to speak.

I remember doing an event years ago where a reenactor Union artillery crew came to a NPS living history event at a Civil War era sites. The crew in question had more red braid and brass on jackets, trousers and hats, while the crew from our battlefield were dressed in plain sack coats and unadorned forage caps and slouch hats. A visitor's son asked his dad, "Why do all of those guys on the left have so much red on?" The reply: "They haven't learned it's a target."

T.

[Sir William]

All too true. Most of the recreated 1745 Jacobites that I've seen, both here in the US and in Scotland as well, would pass for the lairds and his close kin - not the average crofter. Plenty of swords, targes, firelocks, and all that - but then that "look" is also what catches the interest of the average spectator/visitor, which is what we're there to do.

To come back to my original statement - which received lots of good follow on comments I might add - my Jacobite unit realizes that we have far too many of the "gentry" in the ranks and not enough "humbly."

Part of the problem of course is that not all of us turn out for our living history events at any given time, so many of us have acquired much of the stuff we display for the tourists. Also, as I said, most of our visitors are drawn by the full Highland regalia and so its a good crowd drawer. Consequently, when more than a few of us get together we have multiple swords, targes, pistols, etc and most of us are dressed in the full belted plaid, tartan wesket and jacket.

Some of us are starting to move away from this general impression and do the Highland crofter, the Lowland volunteer, or even some of the Scots and Irish in French service so that we can give a more accurate idea of who marched with BPC and what they wore and carried. Up to now we've mostly been talking about it rather than demonstrating it.

Sadly, if we all turned out as we probably should we wouldn't get the "visitor" interest that we get as few are interested in the humble crofter. Its difficult finding the right balance point.

[SteveB]

Living History can be a hard sell.
The Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum of the landing of the Pilgrims and the Native People that met them. The Native People on the site are true Native Americans, and portray the common member of the nation they represent. There are no large feathered bonnets and the Watu is very basic. The visitor next enters a 1627 village of people doing 1627 things in 1627 garb. Very basic, no frills. Many, many myths are shattered.
This Thursday you may want to think about it. There was no Turkey on the table on the original "Thanksgiving" day harvest feast. Another Great American Myth.

Slainte,

[Sir William]

Living History can be a hard sell.
The Plimoth Plantation is a living history museum of the landing of the Pilgrims and the Native People that met them. The Native People on the site are true Native Americans, and portray the common member of the nation they represent. There are no large feathered bonnets and the Watu is very basic. The visitor next enters a 1627 village of people doing 1627 things in 1627 garb. Very basic, no frills. Many, many myths are shattered.
This Thursday you may want to think about it. There was no Turkey on the table on the original "Thanksgiving" day harvest feast. Another Great American Myth.

Slainte,

What? No Western Plains warbonnets? And no turkeys for the Pilgrims?

I am truely shocked! Shocked, I say!

(all said very tongue in cheek)

Next you'll be telling me that all Scots don't wear kilts!

Some years ago a British friend was visiting Mt Vernon with his young son. A man in front of them was tellilng his own son that George Washington was the man who fought the Civil War and freed the slaves. My British friend suggested that the man meant Abraham Lincoln, and that George Washington fought the American Revolution and became the Father of the United States. The man replied, "You're not from around here are you? Don't go trying to tell me my own history."

It's difficult to disabuse people of what they believe, or want to believe.

[jhockin]

[quote]:"Sadly, if we all turned out as we probably should we wouldn't get the "visitor" interest that we get as few are interested in the humble crofter." [quote]

One really shouldn't be too surprized (though I agree with being saddened), as our kulture(s) teach use to regard "HISTORY" as the story of the rich and famous, not the 99.99% of the ordinary working people/"the humbly". 'History is written by the victors'"/ and the 'rich'.

[Brasilikilt]

To come back to my original statement - which received lots of good follow on comments I might add - my Jacobite unit realizes that we have far too many of the "gentry" in the ranks and not enough "humbly."

Part of the problem of course is that not all of us turn out for our living history events at any given time, so many of us have acquired much of the stuff we display for the tourists. Also, as I said, most of our visitors are drawn by the full Highland regalia and so its a good crowd drawer. Consequently, when more than a few of us get together we have multiple swords, targes, pistols, etc and most of us are dressed in the full belted plaid, tartan wesket and jacket.

Some of us are starting to move away from this general impression and do the Highland crofter, the Lowland volunteer, or even some of the Scots and Irish in French service so that we can give a more accurate idea of who marched with BPC and what they wore and carried. Up to now we've mostly been talking about it rather than demonstrating it.

Sadly, if we all turned out as we probably should we wouldn't get the "visitor" interest that we get as few are interested in the humble crofter. Its difficult finding the right balance point.

A lot of the attitude has been that you are basically *required* to wear the kilt, carry a basket hilt/targe and all the expected Highlander kit.
I acquired/ made these things because I like the look and feel of the whole kit, but, I have grown tired of everybody's practice in only wanting to dress up as one of the Clan Honchos.
As I stand now, I basically want to blacksmith at events. Wearing a belted plaide while blacksmithing in summer does NOT sound like something I want to do :-)

I can blacksmith as a Manchester/Lancashire recruit in camp, which will draw a decent crowd on it's own, and allow me an opportunity to explain to people that not all Jacobites were Highlanders.