Memoirs of a Gate Shift

This is simply how I redirect people to pay before getting in.
Oh, the blue coat?  Pfft, American? Please -- Royal Artillery

Now, you may or may not be aware of this, but I freakin' love my job. Shocker, right?

However, as in any job, there are one or two parts that you just don't share the same enthusiasm for. In my case, it's gate shifts.

It's pretty much exactly as it sounds -- you stand at the front gate (shown above) for up to an hour and let people in when they've paid. Don't get me wrong, it's not difficult; it's just not as thrilling as actually interpreting the history in one of the buildings.

On occasion, you'll get the couple that wants to talk in depth about a topic (awesome), but when you're on gate duty, this means frequent interruptions to let people in and show them where to go (not as awesome).

And the pictures -- oh dear lord, the pictures.

Turns out, when you dress in period uniform, it makes a great photo op (I can Google Image search myself in up to 20 different countries now).

Since my FAQ post proved very popular, I've decided to make another list -- this time, it's the top six cases of mistaken identity of me at the front gate:

6. An American
- When I'm wearing blue as above, fair enough; but when I'm in the red? C'mon.

5. A real Canadian soldier
- Hey, we'll get camouflage eventually!

4. A Mountie
- Close, but I'm not allowed to arrest people. Anymore.

3. A border guard
- Seriously, how do you people not realize you've crossed the border?

2. A mannequin
- Standing perfectly still under the hot sun is worth scaring the hell out of people.

1. A clown
- I wish I was joking. If clowns are bringing bayonets to your parties, it's already too late for you.

That's all for now, folks!

-J-

A Very Brilliant Affair

"Gee, that puzzle was tough."
"Shut up."

First things first: GO CANADA!

Seems rather fitting to update during a time where Canada once again claims victory over the United States; both our men and women's hockey teams have done a fantastic job of representing our country.

Although hockey wasn't around 200 years ago (sadly) and the conflict was much bloodier, the result was largely the same -- of course, the British helped things immensely.

The Americans even released a video addressed to Team Canada, basically saying "bring it on."

We did.

It's not the first time Americans have underestimated us and it sure won't be the last.

Now, I'm not about to go on some kind of anti-American diatribe because that's terribly un-Canadian. I do understand not every single American tourist is this naive, but in my five years at Fort George, I have come across some real gems with tragically hilarious and skewed views of our true north strong and free.

So for our friends south of the border, here are some FAQs I've actually been asked before, in order to help you out:

Q: Are you [Canada] independent yet?
A: Why yes we are; depending on how you look at it, we're either younger or older than you, sir/ma'am.

Q: When was the fight for your freedom?
A: Sorry to disappoint, but not every British colony needed to punch its way to freedom. We just asked nicely. 

Q: Do you have to bow to the Queen every morning?
A: We started to, but it turns out she really hates it. And can't see it.

Q: Do I need my passport to get into Canada?
A: Wait, seriously? You're already at Fort George and you're asking this? Wow.

Q: Do y'all consider yourselves Americans? Since we're in North America?
A: I consider myself more of a Northern Hemispherian, to be honest.

I hope this helps in your travels and I look forward to answering more of your....um, questions this summer!

-J-

A Mere Matter of Marching

Man, political cartoons today aren't nearly as badass.

Nothing says "Happy Valentine's Day" quite like warfare, but if you've ever looked up the history of Saint Valentine, it's really not much of a stretch.

By now, you might be wondering just how the heck this whole thing started. The sad fact of the matter is I don't have nearly enough space to get into every nitty gritty detail; however, I can give the "Certified J-Rod Shorthand Version" (patent pending).

The War of 1812 doesn't feature one specific trigger-event like an assassination or an evil dictator running around (well, not a German one anyway), making it difficult for people to remember exactly what happened.

200 years ago, Great Britain and the brand-new United States weren't exactly BFFs. Despite the fact the Revolutionary War ended almost 30 years earlier, tensions remained (the United States wouldn't return Great Britain's CDs or that really nice sweater) and Europe's problems with France only served to complicate things further.

Everyone's favourite Corsican dictator was causing all kinds of havoc in Europe and forcing Britain to spend the majority of its attention and resources into stopping him. One of the major ways of doing so was blockading the French ports with the maaaaasive Royal Navy (bane of Captain Jack Sparrow) and seizing any ships trying to slip past. This really affected the U.S., who had in essence just lost their biggest trading partner. Not only that, but the British were stopping hundreds of neutral U.S. merchant ships and "impressing" (not in the 'oooh, shiny!' kind of way) American sailors. Their excuse was rock-solid: these sailors were all "deserters" from that Revolutionary Incident a few years ago and were British subjects anyway.

Yeah, the States didn't exactly agree.

At the same time, in 1811, the Americans expanding westward as far as Michigan were having trouble with the Native Americans. Conflict was inevitable; the Americans accused Great Britain of supplying arms and goods to incite the Natives into open rebellion. Britain denied this as well, but by now a group in American Congress known as the "War Hawks" managed to convince President James Madison that war was the only way to prove this young and fledgling nation wasn't to be pushed around. Kind of like picking a fight on your first day of school. Or prison.

He was reluctant, but convinced that by attacking Britain's colonies (that's us), Britain could be convinced to stand down.

He was wrong.

On June 18, 1812, after the closest vote on the subject in U.S. history, America declared war on Great Britain.

It was on, as they say, like Donkey Kong.

-J-

And All Their Glory Past

Ask anybody what they know about the War of 1812 and you're likely to get as many confused faces as you are diverse answers. It really depends on who you ask.

For example, Canadians (especially in the Niagara region) have the best passive knowledge, because of how close the war hit to home; however, even that number is staggeringly low. We might think of Laura Secord and her "300-kilometer journey barefoot, dodging American patrols and leading her trusty cow to warn the British." (Actually, her contribution to the war has been grossly over-exaggerated, but more on her later). Perhaps they'd think of Brock's Monument up at Queenston Heights, or "wasn't there some kind of fight near Lundy's Lane?" (Yup, the bloodiest battle of the war.) Canadians also tend to believe the British won the war, as we're an independent country and not the 51st state today.

Americans, on the other hand, tend to take a slightly different view. Those that know of the war, felt it didn't have any significance, which is their way of narrowly admitting defeat. While the Revolutionary and Civil wars get chapter upon chapter in American history textbook, 1812 is lucky to receive more than a paragraph. If it does, it mentions one of three events: the American victory on Lake Erie, the Siege of Fort McHenry in Baltimore (which gave them their national anthem), or the Battle of New Orleans, tragically remembered best in Johnny Horton's wildly exaggerated song. Oh and many of them think they won (when logic and explanation of historical fact fail to persuade an American visitor to the fort about this, I flash this beauty: "Why hasn't Hollywood made a movie about it?").

Ask the British about the War of 1812 and the most common response you'll get: "The war of what?" Dealing with Napoleon at the time, what happened in the Canadian colonies was merely an unnecessary pain the the backside that Britain could ill-afford to commit resources to.

As I've mentioned previously, when I started at Fort George I knew almost nothing about this conflict. I'm grateful that ignorance is gone.

Quiz time! What do you know about the War of 1812? Let me know in the comments.

Next week: How this whole conflict started, including why Thomas Jefferson thought the acquisition of Canada would be "a mere matter of marching."

-J-

Over the Hills and Far Away

Welcome!

"Ptchew!"

Why hello there!

Welcome to A Redcoat Read, a blog dedicated to shamelessly and hilariously detailing, exploiting and educating folks about the War of 1812 and my time spent as a British redcoat!

But who am I? Why a red coat? And what the heck is the War of 1812? The answers to these and many more questions may (or may not) lie ahead...

First thing's first: I'm Jarrod and I'm an 1812-aholic (that suffix doesn't really translate well). Through this blog, I'll be sharing a wide variety of crazy stories, daring exploits and fun facts whilst simultaneously busting myths and raising awareness of the war that really did help shape Canada into the awesome country it is today.

Ever been to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.? If not, you should go. It's pretty nice.

If yes, have you been to Fort George? If not, you should go. It's pretty nice.

If yes, did you see the super-awesome folks dressed in period clothing? If not, you reeeeally weren't paying attention, were you?

If yes, welcome to my world!

First myth busted: I am NOT a reenactor. I do get paid to do what I do and it's a blast (pun shamelessly intended). I've been working at Fort George since 2009 and is, without a doubt, the greatest job I've had in my near-25 years. And boy, do I have some stories for you.

So if you've ever wondered what goes on in the world of historical interpretation (and be honest, who hasn't), then keep checking back for the aforementioned stories, exploits and facts.

Who knows; even here on the internet, you might just learn something...

-J-