Dark Ages reenactment is generally considered a sub-branch of Medieval reenactment focussing on the 1st millennium AD beginning with the fall of the Roman Empire and ending with the High Middle Ages.
The term 'Dark Ages' is much used. Some groups define it as the period between the collapse of the Roman Empire, and the establishment of the main European Christian kingdoms - approx 400 - 750 AD (CE), whereas others include the Viking period as well (extending as far as 1066 AD). Some people call the later half of this period 'Early Medieval'.
Most reenactment groups focus on a smaller time period, sometimes restricting their interest to a particular century, or even a specific decade, depending on how authentic the reenactment and encampment is intended to be. Typically Dark Ages reenactment groups focus on a specific time period and culture within this range, such as Vendel Age Vikings or the Picts.
The largest Dark Age event in the UK is the Battle of Hastings Reenactment.
Famous quotes containing the words dark ages, dark and/or ages:
“He said “Next time can I bring my friend?”
And I thought “Does he mean friend?”
And I thought “Yes he does mean friend.”
Which was quite bold in those days.
It was the Dark Ages. Men and men.
And they could still put you in prison for it.
And did, dear.”
—Alan Bennett (b. 1934)
“Care-charmer Sleep, son of the sable Night,
Brother to Death, in silent darkness born,
Relieve my languish, and restore the light,
With dark forgetting of my cares return.”
—Samuel Daniel (1562–1619)
“Doubtless, we are as slow to conceive of Paradise as of Heaven, of a perfect natural as of a perfect spiritual world. We see how past ages have loitered and erred. “Is perhaps our generation free from irrationality and error? Have we perhaps reached now the summit of human wisdom, and need no more to look out for mental or physical improvement?” Undoubtedly, we are never so visionary as to be prepared for what the next hour may bring forth.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)