Raven Tor

Raven Tor is a multi-period living history group that recreates crafts, displays and combat from the Iron Age (c800BC-43AD) until the Second World War.
	Having joined the Norse Film Pageant Society (The Vikings) in 1992, founder Paul Ullson was approached by a student teacher to undertake a demonstration in a local school. The session went so well that other schools approached Paul and, with the help of a few enthusiastic friends, Raven Tor began in 1995. Taking annual leave from his full time job, Paul expanded the sessions to cover The Celts, Romans and Vikings. Village and school fetes followed, and then in 1998 Raven Tor undertook some demonstrations and children’s activities with Chichester District Museum, and the rest, as they say in history.

By 1999 the group structure had changed, and a core of the more dedicated multi-period re-enactors were beginning to emerge. Within the next few years the group would expand from 4 to nearly 40 members and develop its range of activities, displays and historical periods covered.

The main two areas of historical focus, which revolve around a tented encampment, are the 15th century, The Wars of the Roses, and the 17th century, the English Civil War. Demonstrations include armour making, cooking, weaving, leatherwork, fletching, and medicine. In addition, weapons and combat displays are held either as a tournament skirmish or part of a larger scale re-creation of a historical event. With support from other local living history groups, ordinance, musket, and pike can also be demonstrated for 17th century displays. Many of the members of Raven Tor are members of other living history groups such as the Medieval Siege Society (MSS), The Vikings, The Wars of the Roses Federation (FED), and the Sealed Knot, and regularly attend events in other parts of the country and abroad.

	To date members of Raven Tor have undertaken film work for the National Geographic Channel, BBC, Channel 4 (Worst Jobs in History) and Meridian, and have undertaken displays at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, English Heritage sites , including Porchester Castle, National Trust sites, including Petworth House, Arundel Castle, and Parham House. Murder Mysteries, walks and talks have also been undertaken at Chichester District Museum, Haslemere Museum, Petworth House and over 30 villages in the Chichester District.