2006 was a very special year.

• The Senior Peasant had a Significant Birthday.
• Rent a Peasant 10th Anniversary Year 1996-2006
• Zanfara Flock of Pedigree Manx Loghtan Sheep 21st Anniversary Year 1985-2006
• Zanfara Herd of Pedigree Dexter Cattle 20th Anniversary Year 1986-2006

Rent A Peasant was started after several years' peripheral involvement with other Living History and Re-Enactment groups. The Silver Jarls of the Dunholm and Northumbria branches of the Vikings, in particular, were a formative influence. While an undergraduate, Paul had been asked to provide authentic banquets. An interest in the meat led to an interest in the animals and an invitation to take some sheep to Lindisfarne in 1993 for the 1200th anniversary of the first Viking raid there. This saw the first hasty costume research and even more hasty costume making. There are many faults with these early outfits but they will not be replaced until they fall apart!

1996 saw a lot of interest in the livestock with sheep and cattle going to Aydon Castle for background interest in scenes for the television version of Ivanhoe. The oxen were also background interest for a scene in the television drama of Catherine Cookson's The Moth. Lastly we were asked to provide a display of food and livestock as part of background everyday life for the 650th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Neville's Cross.

This got us thinking that there were a lot of warriors in all eras of re-enactment, some horses, lords and ladies and households of liveried retainers. There seemed to be a dearth of the basic food producing farmer, whose produce and rents maintained the whole edifice of the rest of society. It seemed there was a niche here that we could fill, so Rent A Peasant became an entity in its own right.

This picture from the recent war in Afghanistan neatly illustrates the stance taken by Rent A Peasant. In the midst of the high tech war zone, the low tech farmer has to continue with his occupation, which is fundamental to the survival of all levels of society.

The Victorians encapsulated this neatly in the rhyme The Four Alls:

The Queen - I govern all
The Judge - I judge all
The Soldier - I fight for all
The Farmer - I pay for all

One Peasant is usually available for school visits and small scale events

Principal Peasant: Louisa Gidney B.A.Hons. (Archaeology) Archaeologist, specialising in the study of animal bones at Durham University. Part time farmer breeding Dexter cattle, Manx Loghtan and Hebridean sheep, with the Zanfara prefix. Former Joint Leader of Durham Young Archaeologists' Club. Particularly interested in using the practical aspects of Living History as a tool for the interpretation of archaeological finds. Researches and makes costume for Rent A Peasant. Louisa is the administrator and point of contact for Rent A Peasant.

For larger events, further Peasants may be available

Associate Peasant: Chris Jones Cert. Ed. B.Sc (Agriculture) Former lecturer at Kirkley Hall Agricultural College, Northumberland. Acoustic, Folk and Traditional musician, story teller. Besides professional assistance with the livestock aspect of Rent A Peasant, Chris is adept at running the Toys and Games option.

Associate Peasant: Paul Stokes Cert.Ed. B.A. (Open), B.A. Hons. (Archaeology), M.A. (Archaeology). Licentiate member City & Guilds Retired lecturer in professional cookery at Westminister College, London. Former Resident Tutor St Cuthbert's Society, Durham. Former Joint Leader of Durham Young Archaeologists' Club. A serious accident led to early retirement on medical grounds and the opportunity to pursue a previous hobby interest in archaeology at university. Paul is particularly interested in historic food and cookery. Paul's health has unfortunately deteriorated so his availability is now unpredictable