Historical re-enactor Matthew Routledge was so determined to look authentic when he played Friar Tuck, that he climbed in the barber’s chair for a tonsure hair cut.
“This is method acting at its most extreme,” said 23-year-old care working Matthew as he prepared to have his head shaved, and raise money for the Stroke Association.
“The traditional monastic haircut was adopted from the 10th century onwards by monks.”
Matthew is a member of the Re-enacting Ancient Times Society, and took part in a Sherwood Through the Ages event in Sherwood Forest at the weekend (September 28/29)
Matthew, who lives in Creek Road, March, was dressed in his Friar Tuck outfit for his special haircut, and was accompanied by two costumed Hospitalier Knights, Kevin Southon and Damian O’Donovan to The Barber’s Shop in Station Road, March.
Kevin said: “Matthew has played Friar Tuck before, but this time he wanted to do it properly, I think its really noble of him.”
Matthew added: “I chose to raise money for the Stroke Associaton, because a stroke claimed two members of my family. It is a charity that does wonderful work and is under publicised. The idea of having a tonsure and raising money for charity has been in the pipeline for about a year, but I was delighted, if rather nervous, to get it done at last.”
“I had quite shaggy hair before, but now I can feel the wind around my ears, and I feel slightly lighter.”
To sponsor Matthew, go to www.justgiving.com/tonsure
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