Welcome to the Wonderful world of Egfrothiana
In 1992,  I made the pilgrimage to the lands of the Byzantine Empire, particularly Constantinople.
In 1993 the Viking longship replica Jorgen Jorgensen visited port Hedland. We immediately made the crew honorary Varangians. This is (L-R) Gonzo, me and Rod on board, poncing it up.
Though I'd been interested in things mediaeval since I was a kid, my  re-enactment activities began in October 1986. I was living in Sydney, on the east coast of Australia. On holiday in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney,  I got a leaflet advertising a group called "Living History" which was doing a display the next day a few miles away. I went along, got to stand in a shield
The Golden Gate - where the Emperors made their triumphant entry after a victory.
wall with a spear and  shield, and I was HOOKED.  I met Tim Dawson, a very well known figure in Australian re-enactment circles, who told me where to go. And I've been doing just that ever since.

I joined the New Varangian Guard's Sydney garrison on Tim's recommendation (so now you know who to blame)
The Spinifex Spree is Port Hedland's annual street festival. One year we persuaded the local equestrian society to join us for the parade as our very own unit of kataphraktoi. Next time we'll walk in front of the horses.
The name Egfroth
I try to represent an eleventh century Anglo-Norse  thegn from near York, who has travelled to Constantinople and joined the Varangian Guard. It's been a long term goal of mine to assemble a complete 'set' of clothing, artefacts etc that would be owned by such a  person. The trouble is, every time I get close, I realize there are other things I ought to have, and that the stuff I do have is not good enough. The goal posts keep moving.
I've made a copy of an eleventh century Russian fiddle, which I can play (badly). Helmets are a particular interest of mine - I've made or contributed to about twenty-five in my time. Probably not enough, but hey! I do other things too.
I believe it behoves all of us to try to be as authentic as possible, given the constraints and difficulties posed by the scarcity of information on the Middle Ages. On the other hand, I don't believe you can force anyone to be authentic. You can only encourage, and do your best to set an example, widen your own horizons and try to help others do the same.
One of my favourite photos. Peter Traise and me in Sydney about 1987 looking casually menacing.
In 2000 I returned to Constantinople, timing the visit so I could also take part in the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings on the 934th anniversary, which just happened to be my birthday as well.
The English army marches on to the field, "King Harold" in the lead. October 14, 2000
Early days - the first time I took spear in hand and stood in the shield wall. Megalong valley 1986. That's me second from the right.
Imperial Pretensions
In 1999 I declared myself Byzantine Emperor. It started as a joke, but has led to my doing quite a lot of serious research in order to get the costume and Imperial ceremonial right. There's still a long way to go, but I'm making good progress. The problem, as always, is to get decent subjects.
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This page was last updated on the 16th November  200
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Copyright (c) Steven Lowe 2001 - 2002
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