Cavalry Comics was one of the Hadrian’s Cavalry learning projects. This comic was inspired by facilitated visits to Hadrian’s Wall, exhibition venues and taking inspiration from the objects on display. Themes included:
- Looking good! - the equipment of cavalryman and horse
- Who do you think they are? - exploring ethnicity of Roman cavalrymen and breeds of horse
- Don’t mess with me! - exploring, patrolling, policing and hunting down the enemy
- Know your place! - forts, organisation and formations
Comic artist Jim Medway worked with three groups of young people to create a comic about Roman cavalry over the summer of 2017.
Highlights
Tullie House Museum Youth Panel at the Turma re-enactment event, Carlisle
Allendale Cubs visit to Tullie House Museum
Tullie House Youth Panel walk along Hadrian's Wall
Milecastle Primary visit Segedunum
See all the illustrations
Take a look at the full version in:
Thoughts by the artist:
"Over the last ten years or so, I’ve been running Create Comics sessions across the UK and beyond, with all ages and backgrounds. I’ve helped many a group explore the basic skills needed to create their own comic this has spanned from primary school settings right through to community settings. Hadrian’s Cavalry Comic Project is my favourite kind - a project that helps young people engage with history and communicate their enjoyment and learning.
I always aim to make sure the participants are central to whatever they are creating. By drawing simple ‘Charlie Brown’ versions of themselves, children can become the protagonists in any story which gives them something more tangible to imagine. This avoids the sometimes narrow and uninspiring superheroes they often feel they should be inventing."
- artist Jim Medway
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Hadrian’s Cavalry partners Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums and Vindolanda Trust for hosting and facilitating sessions with the young people.
Thanks to staff from Allendale Cubs and Milecastle Primary School.
And the largest thanks of all goes to the young people who took part:
- Allendale Cubs
- Year 5 from Milecastle Primary School
- Tullie House Museum Youth Panel
Want more art inspiration?
Check out the Diary of a Hadrian's Cavalry artist.