Who We Are
La Belle Compagnie is an award-winning living history organization portraying an English knight’s household and military company of the Hundred Years War.
We build our portrayals to represent typical people of the times rather than specific historical persons. In our research into the social and military history of the time and its material culture we look for the ordinary rather than the extraordinary and strive to bring the past alive in an educational and entertaining way.
We portray various aspects of the ‘Peel affinity,’ those people associated with Sir Geoffrey Peel, our fictitious knight from Hampshire, England. Some of the affinity are his family, others are servants or tenants, and some are soldiers. Whom you meet depends on the occasion!
La Belle Compagnie was formed in Virginia, USA as a non-profit educational organization and draws members from across the country. We are most active in VA, MD, and PA, where we attend approximately 6 living history events each year. Our members meet monthly (in person and virtually) to discuss medieval topics & material culture, present new research and plan events. We welcome medieval enthusiasts and would love to hear from you. If you would like to know more about what we do, please check out our ‘Reconstructions’ area. You can also reach out to us through the ‘Contact’ link above or find us on Facebook at La Belle Compagnie.
Scenarios
La Belle Compagnie presents different scenarios focusing on various aspects of life in the Peel affinity. Here are a couple you may experience when visiting our camp.
Harbingers 1410s
Sir Geoffrey and his company are on the road. A small party is traveled ahead to find a place to spend the night. Having found a
suitable place, the group begins the work of setting up a camp, trying to get as much ready as possible before Sir Geoffrey and the
rest of the company arrive.
The Characters: A Man-at-Arm or senior household official, Soldiers, Servants, Men-at-arms, a Cook, Hunters.
Camp: Basic Camp with traveling goods and Tent(s), Hovel(s), and a Cooking Area
An archer’s hovel
Interlude at a Hastilude 1412
Sir Geoffrey and his company have recently returned to English-held Cherbourg following the end of the Duke of Buckingham’s disappointing campaign of 1380-1381 during which Sir Geoffrey served under Sir John Harlestone, the governor of Cherbourg. On the journey back, words passed between one William Cressy, a man-at-arms in Sir Geoffrey’s service, and a certain French squire who wished to perform a deed of arms.
At the time, The English company was traveling under a safe conduct arranged by the Constable of France. If William had stayed behind to perform the deed of arms he would have fallen outside its protection. William was as eager and willing as the Frenchman for a chance to show his prowess, but he was traveling without appropriate harness and weapons for such an enterprise. He invited the squire to come to Cherbourg.
And so it was agreed, and a date set.
Now the day is nearly upon us. Word has come that the French squire is on his way, travelling under a safe conduct from Sir John Harlestone. William and his counsellors and advisors have gathered at the appointed place. While they wait, they prepare for the deed of arms.
A deed of arms, or hastilude, is primarily a martial activity but it is one that often draws crowds of spectators, both gentle and com-mon. Much like a modern sporting event, it also draws those who can make money from such crowds.
The Characters: Men-at-arms, Gentlewomen, Soldiers, Household Servants, Local populous including merchants and spectators
Camp: Arming Pavilion(s), Halle Tent, Cooking Area, Merchant’s stalls & Commoner’s hovels
William Cressy