The Fellowship of the White Boar and the Half Angel

Here is the Legendary Ten Seconds‘ song about the origins of the Richard III Society.

Here is our report on the Richard III half angel and here is their song on the subject. These are the lyrics and the video.

The Medieval Free Company (by the Legendary Ten Seconds)

THE MEDIEVAL FREE COMPANY AT BUCKLAND ABBEY AUGUST 2015

On a Bank Holiday Monday, 31^st August 2015, I visited Buckland Abbey near Plymouth where a Wars of the Roses re-enactment group who call themselves The Medieval Free Company had set up their encampment. Buckland Abbey is a National Trust property which was founded by Cistercian monks in the 13^th century and was at one time the home of Sir Francis Drake. The former Abbey was the perfect setting for the medieval encampment with the tents of the Medieval Free Company set up next to a fabulous Great Barn.

The Medieval Free Company specialise in the recreation of a group of mercenaries during the Wars of the Roses and include a basket maker, scribe and cooks alongside archers and men at arms. They are led by a landless “hedge” knight. Members of the public are allowed to have free access to walk around the medieval camp site and ask questions. I chatted to the scribe who told me that one could correct an error whilst writing on a sheet of parchment by using a knife to scrape off the mistake.

I watched two fabulous displays of archery and we were informed that the archers were using longbows with a draw weight of about 40 lbs whereas the English longbow used in the 14^th and 15^th centuries would have had a much heavier draw weight. One could only imagine how strong the archers must have been to be able to use the longbows with a heavy draw weight. The archers were timed to see how many arrows they could fire in one minute and one of the archers managed fourteen. Just imagine how many sheaths of arrows would have been used in a medieval battle and the devastation that would have been caused by the medieval equivalent of a machine gun.

Towards the end of the afternoon the group of reenactors put on a medieval fashion show describing their clothes and the materials that had been used to make them. We were informed that the white undergarments could be cleaned by soaking them in urine and then rinsing in water.

Information about the Medieval Free Company can be found on their website:- http://www.medievalfreeco.org.uk/

THE MEDIEVAL FREE COMPANY

Intro

Dm, C, Dm

Dm, A

 

Verse

Dm, C, Dm

Dm, C, Am

Dm, C, Dm

Dm, C, Am, Dm

 

Chorus

Gm,        F,     C,           Dm

 

The medieval free company

 

C, Dm, C, Dm

Gm,        F,     C,           Dm

 

The medieval free company

C, Dm, A

 

Middle bit

Gm, C, Dm, Gm, Am, Dm, Gm, C, Dm, F, A, F, A

 

FOR HIRE WE ARE IN THIS LAND

AND OUR HEDGE KNIGHT HE DOES COMMAND

OF ARCHERY A FINE DISPLAY

YES WE WILL SHOW THROUGHOUT THE DAY

 

OUR CAMP SITE YOU MAY LOOK AROUND

SUCH WONDROUS ITEMS TO BE FOUND

HAND CRAFTED WITH ALL SKILL AND CARE

OUR MASTER SCRIBE WRITES OVER THERE

 

DIVERS ARCHERS, MEN AT ARMS

FOR ADVENTURE LEFT THEIR FARMS

SEE THAT LORD HE LOOKS SO HANDSOME

WILL HIS FAMILY PAY THE RANSOM

 

MERCENARIES ONE AND ALL

WARS OF THE ROSES WE RECALL

OUR LANDLESS KNIGHT HE LEADS US WELL

AS DAYLIGHT FADES WE BID FAREWELL

Thrilling Blunder Stories …

… is another album from the Legendary Ten Seconds. Here is a link to some of the music.

Here are the lyrics to The Knights of a King, together with some further information about the album.

 

Song and Story Combined

Cover of Distant Echoes

Ian Churchward of The Legendary Ten Seconds has kindly made a fantastic video promoting my book, Distant Echoes and using his song, Sheriff Hutton, which was the inspiration for the book! Here is the link if you would like to see it – and please give it a ‘like’! Oh and if the video has made you intrigued about the book, here is the link for that too!

History Book Part Two

A press release for the follow-up to this:

History Book Part Two, February 2020.

• Song of a metal detectorist – About Ashley Mantle’s favourite hobby.
• A rare romance – Roger Mortimer escapes from the Tower of London and flees to France.
• Cade’s rebellion – The rebellion of 1450.
• De Cobham – Song for the De Cobham household Wars of the Roses reenactment group.
• Ricardian dream – Richard III win’s the battle of Bosworth.
• Charles Howard’s English fleet – The English fleet after the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
• The Mayflower sets sail – The Pilgrim Fathers leave Plymouth in the Mayflower.
• Gallants Bower – Song about the Civil War fort on the hill above Dartmouth Castle.
• The Blenheim song – The Franco-Bavarian army is defeated in battle in August 1704.
• James Templer’s legacy – Song about the Stover canal which was opened in 1792.
• Sitting in a trench – Song about the First World War.
• Wait until the harvests in – The Munich treaty peace talks are in vain.

… and here they are on You Tube …

Ian Churchward vocals, guitars, keyboards, mandola and mandolin

Lord Zarquon keyboards, bass guitar, drums and percussion

Phil Swann guitars, bouzouki and mandolin

Bridgit England vocals

Guy Bolt vocals

Jules Jones vocals

Elaine Churchward vocals

Tom Churchward harmonica

Fleur Elliott vocals

 

Recorded 2016 to 2020 in Kingsteignton, Marldon, and Torquay in South Devon.

 

Mixed and produced by Lord Zarquon.

 

Artwork by Graham Moores

 

All songs composed by Ian Churchward except:-

Cade’s Rebellion composed by Ashley Mantle and Ian Churchward

and

Gallants Bower composed by Elaine Churchward and Ian Churchward

 

Richard the Third Records catalogue number R301

 

 

 

Music and Metal Detecting

Here is an interview by our own Ian Churchward (The Legendary Ten Seconds) about their new song: A song for a metal detectorist, covering  history and metal detecting …

{link to 27 March}

A tale of monarchs and national anthems

Anyone who has watched a Scottish rugby or association football match will be familiar with the Corries’ folk song O Flower of Scotland, which is played before their matches. The second line of the chorus (“Proud Edward’s army”) refers to Edward II, defeated at Bannockburn so that he never actually ruled Scotland although he may have technically been their King by marriage. I have chosen Barbara Dickson’s version.

The Netherlands’ national anthem, the Wilhelminus, is named after William the Silent, a Protestant monarch assassinated in 1584 during an ongoing independence war against the Spanish forces. Paradoxically, perhaps, it is sung lustily among a sea of orange flags at football internationals.

Can you think of any other monarchs mentioned in anthems?

A new “Legendary Ten Seconds” Album

Here is the latest album from those prolific  historical musicians. As you can see, from the CD cover below, “Instrumental Legends” is specifically compiled to narrate the life and times of Richard III.

As the title suggests they are all instrumental tracks, some of which were previously released on other albums. I really enjoy the instrumentals, despite not having Ian Churchward’s voice or lyrics, which I love too. The instrumentals also convey the ‘feeling’ of Mediaeval and Renaissance England, although most of the instruments did not exist in those times, especially the electronic keyboard! You might think the sound would be discordant combining, as it does, the mediaeval-style melodies with modern instrumentation. However, think of Rick Wakeman’s ‘King Arthur & the Myths and Legends of the Knights of the Round Table’ and it might give you some idea of the feel of the songs, although these do not have such a big sound as Wakeman. In particular, I feel ‘Fanfare for the King’ conjures up an image of Richard graciously waving to the adoring crown as he rides by on his Progress. I also love Confort et Liesse, but they all have lovely evocative melodies and excellent musicianship, so I have given a short description of each track below.

The full track list is as follows:

Plantagenet Pavane – starts off quietly and then the bigger sound comes in – there is a tambourine, I think.

Souvente Me Souvenne – Buckingham’s motto, this track begins with a positive and spirit-raising melody then changes to one that’s slightly more melancholy, then reverts to the first and finishes in a more downbeat way. Reflecting the ups and downs of his life?

Murrey and Blue – Solid, even beat at first but it then changes to a halting sudden hesitation, then on again.

Confort et Liesse – this makes me imagine the decadence of Edward’s court because, of course, this was his motto. Very appropriate.

Fanfare for the King – there actually is a fanfare in this and it is uplifting and evokes the King’s Progress.

John Nesfield’s Retinue – this track brings forth a military feel of a disciplined band of knights or soldiers mustering.

King Richard’s Daughter – This is a delicate, pretty tune and the sound is rather haunting and evoles a certain sadness.

Lambeth Ms474 – I’m not sure what this refers to but it is one of the longer tracks and has a very rousing melody.

Mortimer Overture – the longest track on the album at nearly four minutes and another great tune and rhythm.

Sans Charger – Very mediaeval in feel but as if electrified! Upbeat and addictive.

Sunnes and Roses – probably my favourite track, a great feel-good rhythm and catchy melody.

Tudor Tune – I might be biased but to me this sounds a bit discordant! As if there is a sinister undertone. I have a good imagination.

Lady of the Rivers – this starts off very gently and reaches a crescendo with the melody evoking ringing bells to me.

Some artwork from the album

All in all, this is an excellent album evoking various scenes and moods from the time of Richard III and all with a new, modern twist. The best of both worlds!

A Legendary Ten Seconds special

Recorded by Boycie and The Legendary Ten Seconds

For The Mortimer History Society

Released on Richard the Third Records June 2019

Catalogue number R17

Recorded at Rock Lee 2018, Orleton Village Hall & Other World Studios May 2019

 

John Challis : Boycie vocals

Lord Zarquon : Mellotron flute keyboards

Ashley Dyer : Trumpet

Rob Bright : Lead guitar

Ian Churchward : Acoustic rhythm guitar, electric rhythm guitar, mandolin and bass guitar

 

Music composed by Ian Churchward

Lyrics written by Ian Churchward and John Challis

Artwork created by Graham Moores

 

ALONG CAME THE FIRST ROGER

DE MORTIMER WAS HIS NAME

NEXT CAME A RALPH

A MARCHER LORD HE BECAME

AFTER RALPH A HUGH

A MORTIMER LORD THROUGH AND THROUGH

 

THEN ANOTHER ROGER

THEN ANOTHER HUGH

WITH THOSE NAMES

I BET YOU’RE CONFUSED

 

ALONG CAME A SECOND RALPH

WITH THAT MORTIMER NAME

NEXT ANOTHER ROGER

AT EVESHAM HE WON FAME

EDMUND HIS SECOND SON

THE LORD OF WIGMORE HE DID BECOME

 

THEN ANOTHER ROGER

AN EDMUND NEXT

I MUST SAY

IT’S TOO COMPLEX

 

ALONG CAME THE FIFTH ROGER

WITH THAT MORTIMER NAME

NEXT A THIRD EDMUND

A ROYAL WIFE HE DID CLAIM

THEN ANOTHER ROGER

FOLLOWED BY AN EDMUND ONCE AGAIN

 

FAR TOO MANY ROGERS

ONLY TWO HUGHS

WITH THE RALPHS AND EDMUNDS

I’M COMPLETELY CONFUSED

This song can be purchased from Amazon.

Devon Roses

Devon Roses 2019 catalogue number R16

To commemorate the 40^th anniversary of the Devon & Cornwall branch of the Richard III Society

Songs recorded from 2015 to 2019 at Rock Lee & Other World Studios

 

The lady singers of the Legendary Ten Seconds:

Elaine Churchward vocals

Jules Jones vocals

Pippa West vocals

Bridgit England vocals

Violet Sheer backing vocal on Wife to the Kingmaker

Fleur Elliott backing vocal on Act of Accord

 

The minstrels of the Legendary Ten Seconds:

Ian Churchward guitars, mandolin, mandola & keyboards

Lord Zarquon keyboards, bass guitar, drums & percussion

Phil Swann mandolin & 12 string acoustic guitar on The Walk of Shame

Ashley Dyer trumpet on Wife to the Kingmaker

Rob Bright lead guitar on How do you Rebury a King

All songs written by Ian Churchward except:
Eleanor Talbot written by Elaine & Ian Churchward and
Less Fortunate Than Fair written by Sandra Heath Wilson & Ian Churchward

 

http://www.thelegendary10seconds.co.uk

 

 

 

1)Fatal Match – a song about the marriage of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou

2)Charm and Grace – the coronation of Elizabeth Woodville

3)Kings of England – a song about Henry VII’s wife

4)Less Fortunate Than Fair – a song about Cecily of York, the daughter of Edward IV

5)The Duke of York’s Wife – a song about Richard III’s mother

6)Sanctuary – a song about the birth of Edward V

7)The Walk of Shame – a song about Elizabeth Lambert, mistress of Edward IV

8)The Minstrels did Play – Christmas 1484 in the court of King Richard III

9)How do you Rebury a King ( 2018 version ) – about the reburial of Richard III

10)Eleanor Talbot – a very sad song about Eleanor Talbot

11)The Month of May – a song about the events in London in May 1483

12)Act of Accord – a song about the defeat of Richard Duke of York at the battle of Wakefield

13)Her Household Requires – a song about the household of Elizabeth of York

14)I Greet you Well – correspondence between the Duke of Gloucester and his sister Margaret

15)Wife to the Kingmaker – inspired by a novel written by Sandra Heath Wilson

 

FATAL MATCH

 

SHE ARRIVED ON THE COCK JOHN

BLOWN OFF COURSE FOR SO LONG

BATTERED AND BRUISED BY AN ANGRY SEA

CARRIED ASHORE TO HER DESTINY

 

OH PEERS OF ENGLAND THIS FATAL MATCH

FATAL THIS MARRIAGE AND THIS DISPATCH

GRAVE NEWS FOR OUR DUKE IN FRANCE

MAINE AND ANJOU LOST PERCHANCE

 

MARGARET OF ANJOU TO HENRY WED

BY HIS QUEEN HE WAS LED

SUFFOLK’S ADVICE THE QUEEN SOUGHT

SHE LOVED TO HAVE HIM IN HER COURT

 

OH PEERS OF ENGLAND THIS FATAL MATCH

FATAL THIS MARRIAGE AND THIS DISPATCH

THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK WE MUST ACCUS

FOR HIS BAD JUDGEMENT IS GRAVE NEWS

 

Bridgit England lead and harmony vocals

Jules Jones backing vocals

Ian Churchward acoustic guitar

Lord Zarquon bass guitar, keyboards and drums