Hadrian’s Wall history celebrated at Living History Pageant

Jun 1 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

ROMAN chariots, equestrian displays and Viking long boats all descended on Corbridge, Northumberland, on Saturday night take an appreciative audience on a journey back in time.

The Living History Pageant featuring a cast of 500 was the culmination of a week of celebrating the turbulent history of Hadrian’s Wall.

Earlier, Vikings had invaded Arbeia in South Shields and Segedunum in Wallsend, Border Reivers staged a raid on Birdoswald near Brampton in Cumbria and visitors were transported back to the English Civil War at Carlisle Castle.

A full Roman century (80 soldiers) were stationed on Hadrian’s Wall for the first time in over 1600 years.

There was also Roman re-enactments at the English Heritage properties of Chesters Roman Fort, Vindolanda, Senhouse Roman Museum and the Roman Army Museum. Dramatic re-enactments brought the frontier story to life all along the Wall, with a living cast of hundreds of Romans, Border Reivers, Vikings, and Civil War troopers.

Visitors to the Living History Pageant at Tynedale Rugby Ground in Corbridge bore witness to two battles, a wedding and a funeral in this evening performance of historical re-enactment, drama, music and technical wizardry.

The cast of 500 re-enactors, performers, musicians and choirs provided of the biggest open air performances ever seen along Hadrian’s Wall including a Viking funeral with the biggest longboat burning seen in England for over a thousand years.