Photo of a friend doing another style of event

[Boyd Miles]

Pies given out by the 'poor' from history, wonderful costumes for the Tall Ships Fest, Gloucester Docks by LynnCherylEde Photography, on Flickr
Some of you have met her as Ma Drudge, we know her as Liz, here she is doing street performance as lower class characters in Victorian England. Divorcing your civilian self from Civil War military events (or at least a trial separation) opens up tremendous opportunities as some of you have experienced. This event was living history and street theater, edutainment.

[Spinster]

Our friends across the pond often do a far better job of portraying the common man and and common woman of the mid-19th century, especially those of the lower classes. This holds true whether they are portraying the American Civil War (yes, they do a lot of that over there) or related events in their own country.

The fine folks at Skirmish Magazine put special effort in documenting the life and work of the lower classes, whether military or civilian.

It opens up a whole new area of study for many, especially here, where we seem to have a Scarlett Problem at too many events...........

[Boyd Miles]

The cost of dressing lower class is of course lower, then or now. Honestly not many people can afford or find the quality clothing needed for some of the roles they play.