Chester's Roman Legion

MEMORIES 2011

gaiuslonginus — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:31:53 +0000

Greetings All.

I hope this finds you all well, not too hung over or ill from overindulgence.

Its the end of another year again and as I looked back I began to realise just what a busy year it was.

So Ladies and Gents let me take you on a trip down Memory Lane.

Wed 23^rd February

GLADIATOR DISPLAY YORK

A small team consisting of Brutus, Conix, Lupus and Priscus.

Hosted by Graham and Martin, the Miles of the VI Victrix with a very warm welcome from the Roman Bathouse Museum and Pub.

Sunday 6^th March

Filming of the Flogging of Jesus for the Bolton Passion Plays

Saturday 9^th April

LANCASTER PARADE

Parade of the Standards with a Dedication to Mars beautifully supported by the awesome girls of “Ya Raqs”

Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th May

MARBURY MERRY DAYS

This event seemed to set a theme of overcast and windy.

Nice place but very hardwork crowd.

Saturday 21^st May

CHESTER ROMAN RACE DAY

A small team of soldiers dispatched to play “Glove Puppet” for the Ladies at the Chester Races.

Sunday 29^th May

BROOK ST CARNIVAL and Grosvenor Park “This is DEVA” Promotion

Supporting a new Carnival in Chester in conjunction with the Ya Raqs Girls in the morning with a Gladiator display in the Grosvenor Park to promote our Main Event.

Saturday 4^th and Sunday 5^th June

“THIS IS DEVA”

Having now outgrown the Grosvenor Park in one year. With the biggest parade of Roman Military and hosting the most spectacular rendition of the Roman Games seen in Britain since the height of the Empire, “THIS IS DEVA” is now “THE” main event for Roman Reenactors in Britain and Europe.

Saturday 25^th June

CARLISE EVENT

“RTDV military and Civillians and Ya Raqs dancers stun Carlise, parading in support of Leg VIII Augusta, followed in the afternoon by another display of aggression, skill and bloodshed by the “ Ludus Deva Gladiator Team”.

Friday 15^th July

LLANDUDNO MUSEUM EDUCATION DAY

A small team dispatched to the West to educate the young of Llandudno in the ways of the Empire.

Saturday 16^th July

LLANDUDNO PARADE

“Deva Victrix” supported by Leg VIII Augusta parade and demonstrate the power of Rome to the Western Tribes.

Saturday 23^rd and Sunday July

BLUE PLANET AQUARIUM

A “meet the Romans” day in honour of the God Neptune. Not our usual type of venue but an interesting experience none the less.

Saturday 6^th and Sunday 7^th August

HOUSTEADS FORT HADRIAN’S WALL

An venue with a welcome all its own. Whilst not one of our best events this year, being plagued by transport problems( a van that thought it was a snail), turbulent weather (high winds, rain and legionaries running for cover at the first rumble of thunder for fear of becoming lightning conductors), it became legend in the way that the unit although wet, weary and somewhat demoralised, rallied and kicked back to enjoy one of “THE” best party nights of the season.

Saturday 27^th and Sunday 28^th August

CORBRIDGE HADRIAN’S WALL

Another windy reception for “Deva Victrx” on the Wall but certainly drier.

Providing our Gladiator display as a counterpoint to the Leg XIIII GMV’s military we were a definite crowd pleaser.

Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4thSeptember

DONCASTER

“Deva Victrix” military and Gladiators accompanied once again by the superb “Ya Raqs” travelled to Doncaster to support Leg VIII Augusta.

Though a rather unusual venue its certainly one that many of us look forward to revisiting. With great thanks to the organizers for their superb welcome and to the management and staff of the “Premier Inn” whose hospitality was awesome.

Friday 9^th September

QUEEN HOTEL GLADIATORS

The Gladiators and “Ya Raqs Dancers once more in action this time for a corporate event at the Queen Hotel Chester

Saturday 10^th September

DROITWICH SALT DAY

RTDV and the Leg VIII Augusta once again a presence at the annual Salt Day celebrations.

SATURNALIA

Despite an awful weather forecast ( which the Gods chose to ignore and bless us) Saturnalia delivered an almost full strength turn out from the Deva Victrix which along with “Ya Raqs and the support of a number of Leg VIII Augusta frata gave Chester one of its most memorable parades of Romans this season eclipsed only by the “THIS IS DEVA” event.

A glorious end to a very intense season.

While not a comprehensive list I’m sure you will agree we have been busy.

Hope the above brings back some memories.

Some to make you smile.

Some to make you go “OMG”

Some to make you feel proud in what you are part of.

Added 30th December 2011

The Centurio has rightly informed me of a few ommisions to the above list.
The filming of the “Ninth Legion” documentory at the very begining of the year.
The unit trip in support of Legion XX Hibernia to Cork Jail and the visit to Cyprus details and photo’s of which will be added asap.
Very BUSY YEAR was it not?

2012 Here we come

aureliusluciusbrutus — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:02:55 +0000

Another year another packed list of events for us this year.

This is OUR year and if we all work hard and practice hard, we will surely push ourselves to the top of the (Roman) tree.

The coming year

aureliusluciusbrutus — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:46:54 +0000

Really looking forward to the coming campaign season, starting next week for me up at Eboracum, assisting the Centurio with a feast of net work for yours truly, Brutus Retiarius.

This is Deva 2011 promises to be THE event to finally put us on the map for Chester, Romans and worldwide Roman reenactment.

Bring it on!

Brutus

Greeting Centurio

gaiuslonginus — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:00:33 +0000

To Occrattius Maximus Gittus, Centurio, Coh X

From Gaius Flavius Longinus, Acting Optio Coh X

Centurio, I write to inform you of the expected arrival of reinforcements for our century in the form of a number of new recruits.

Although it appears that all are Tiro’s with no active experience and with little personal equipment, I am given to believe that all are enthusiastic and keen to serve.

It is possible that some will arrive in time for your precampaign address to the unit on Tuesday, which will allow you to assess their suitability for yourself.

The last campaign season saw a great number of engagements which has taken it toll on our century and as a result both personal and unit equipment is in need of replacement and repair.

Once you have impressed on the troops the importance of allotting time to redress this problem, with your permission, duty will be assigned under the watchful eyes of Optio Mummius, Decanus Caderus and myself.

I should be returned to Deva before this coming Tuesday, hopefully accompanied by some of our reinforcements and a report on the status of the defences and garrison at Viroconivm.

VERIBUS UNITIS

UNITY IS STRENGTH

Beatitas Minervae,

Gaius Flavius Longinus

On My Own I stand Alone.

But I am Many, for We are LEGION

Farewell and Hello

gaiuslonginus — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:07:20 +0000

The World has turned.

We bid farewell to the old year and turn forward to the new with a certain amount of fear and trepidation but also with elation, excitement, hope and anticipation of what this new and undiscovered future has to offer us.

We have had a busy 2010, culminating with the Winter Watch Parades (as the Skeletal Legion of the Dead) and our own Saturnalia, bringing the light and hope of better times to our Fortress home of Deva.

The New Year to come is sure to bring its own unique challenges.

For us this will mean that once more we raise our game. The unique nature of what we are and the way we do what we do, means we must adapt and where required change and constantly improve.

There will be much to do. Some things will be quick, others will seem to take too long, but that is the nature of life and we must be patient.

Brothers this year has the oppertunities for us to once again write ourselves into history. Our reputation is being reflected in the work that is being presented to us. Roman Tours Deva Victrix is now being nationally and internationally recognised and respected.

This year the Roman event in Chester is set to become one of the largest Roman Festivals on the International stage. Our Centurio faces months of work, sweat, angiety,disillusionment and in some cases disappointment to make this come about. Our job is to push ourselves that one bit further, that extra effort that will make what we do shine, so he does not have to concern himself with the minutae of our day to day, so he can concentrate on this huge undertaking.

This starts now. Any issues with personal gear will need to be delt with long before our first event, if you need help ask.

Gladiators this is definately your year to shine for you commitment is essential.

The Season of War begins soon.

Prepare your equipment, your minds and your bodies.

Offer prayers, libation and inscence, to whichever Deity is yours, to grant us Strength, Honour,Fortitude, Fortune and Victory.

Listern for the sound of the Cornu, the call to arms to the Field of Mars.

I will see you there brothers. Our enemies will fall before us, as wheat before the scythe.

VERIBUS UNITIS

UNITY IS STRENGTH

Beatitas Minervae,

Gaius Flavius Longinus

On My Own I stand Alone.

But I am Many, for We are LEGION

Time to catch up

gaiuslonginus — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 13:22:23 +0000

Salve All,
With the end of the year in sight and the Winter Watch Parades and Saturnalia fast approaching its long overdue the catch up on our adventures this year.
CHESTER ROMAN FESTIVAL 12th / 13th June
One word. “ AWESOME”
A massed parade of the soldiers and civilians of Deva Victrix, VIII Augusta, Legio II Augusta, VI Victrix Eboracum, the Britons of Deva Sempre and their allies and as always the stunning and talented dancers of “YA RAQS”
Crowds wandered through the fantastic roman buildings of Legio II Augusta, in Grovesnor Park, recreating the atmosphere of life in Deva two millennia ago.
In the afternoon around four thousand people crammed in to the Amphitheatre to experience the spectacle, thrills and blood spills of the recreated Roman Games.

CHRISTLETON FETE 26th June
Fantastic weather and an extremely fun, attentive and interactive crowd made this , whilst one of our less usual, but most enjoyable events.
BACAS 17th July
A long and extremely nerve wracking journey down to Bath on board a last minute booked mini bus with a very dubious braking system. Christened “Delilah” by those who endured the rollercoaster ride and at least one very “creative” emergency stop performed by the Kamikaze pilot that is our Centurio, with the protection of the Gods we arrived safe.
Once again a warm welcome from the BACAS staff despite the cold and unsettled weather soon had us sampling a few drinks in the magnificent 12th century pub in Norton St Phillips before bedding down in one of the farm buildings.
We awoke the next morning to find that the Gods had not abandoned us and had blessed us with a break in the weather a great audience and a reunion with our extremely impressive Celtic friend Drew, who came along to give balance to our presentation with his interpretation of the Britons.
BERSHAM HERITAGE PARK 1st August
A local gig which was our first for Bersham Heritage but almost certainly not our last. Again not a common sort of event for us but with the great support of the lads of the VIII Augusta an enjoyable event for all concerned.
BEESTON CASTLE SOLDIERS, GLADIATORS, DANCERS 21st / 22nd August
The grounds of Beeston Castle, with the brooding ruins of the Castle itself on the crag high above us, evokes a setting of awe and mystery that is a perfect counterpoint to the intensity and violence of our Gladiator display.

Thrill and Spectacle blended with the grim reality of bloodshed and violent death.

MORTON IN MARSH 4th September
Turning away from home turf we again hit the road for another none period venue, the festival showground at Morton in Marsh. A rather damp and cold campout but the event and people made it all worth while. In our off duty time the superb market town and its people proved welcoming and hospitable and the later part of the evening sharing jokes, anecdotes and ribald insults around the camp fire, a fitting preparation to a nights sleep that was interrupted every fourty five minutes by the generator of a nearby refrigeration unit spluttering into life with the decibel level of a V8 engine with no silencer attached.

DROITWICH SPA SALT DAY 11th September
Without the guiding hand of our Centurio but with the able support of some of the guys of the VIII Augusta a small detachment was dispatched to Droitwich for their Salt Day. To the great amusement of the locals some of the lads engaged in a kayak race along a stretch of the canal which proved such a success that it may become part of the event next year.
WIGAN MARCH 18th September
An interesting day in Wigan with the VIII Augusta comprising a parade, audience interaction and the vibration and combined weight of fully armoured legionaries bringing one of the escalators to a sudden and juddering halt.

SPECTRAL LEGION CHESTER 30th October
Halloween saw a group of spectral soldiers marching fourth in support of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd’s event down by the river in Chester.

CAERHUN ROMAN FORT 19th November
This event at the actual site of the fort saw nearly one hundred and twenty school kids experiencing Roman history at one of the most stunning period sites we have attended.
Parading towards the fort with the ranks of child legionaries following, possibly the first representatives of the legions to the site since it was abandoned, was an experience that is hard to explain. As we marched each hoped that the spirits that were watching would be proud and approve.

Beatitas Minervae,

Gaius Flavius Longinus

“On my Own I stand Alone. But I am Many, We are LEGION”

Long Campaign

gaiuslonginus — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:13:02 +0000

Salve All,
Thanks to Marcus for attempting to continue our presence on the blog.

Things have been so hectic over the last few months that we have all neglected to post.

To this end I will attempt to organize a special post to look back on our long campaign, our struggles and victories.

But for the present the superb venue of Beeston Castle beckons us for this weekend.
The boys and girls of the “Victrix”, the “celts” of the Deva Sempre, the awesome dancers of “Ya Raqs” and our gladiator team will be on hand and rareing to enthrall and entertain.

So Saturday and Sunday the Romans camp at Beeston, see you all there.

Gaius Flavius Longinus

“On my Own, I stand Alone.
But I am Many.
For We are LEGION

ZOO Magazine vs Centurion

Marcus Aurelius Nepos — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:49:55 +0000

The day Roman Tours Ltd, put ZOO representative through his paces

Chester Roman Event 2011

Marcus Aurelius Nepos — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:42:18 +0000

We are proud to announce that Ruth Downie, the author of 3 books based around a Medici of the 20th Legion, will be in attendance on 11/12 June 2011 of our event next year.

Roman Weekend

Marcus Aurelius Nepos — Sun, 30 May 2010 09:42:43 +0000

The Roman weekend approaches, going to be a fantastic display. The legions are coming. Leg XX, Leg II, Leg VI, Leg VIII colchester cont tungaria