While time travel might be impossible (so far), historical reenactors say their hobby is the next best thing. But what’s it really like to take part in a Revolutionary War battle or to live in a Viking village? How—or why—does one get started as a reenactor? And really, aren’t those shoes uncomfortable? Mental_floss spoke with several historical reenactors to get their insights on what it’s like to bring history to life.
1. THEY’RE OFTEN JUST REGULAR PEOPLE—IN CHAIN MAIL.
While some historic reenactors are paid museum employees or professional historians, the majority are people with regular jobs who got inspired by a particular period in history…
