(EN) Ouest-France newspaper : The 5th January 2015

The ancestor of the gendarme played by a young Vendéen
He will be at the heart of the reenactment of the battle of Azincourt, for its 600th birthday, this summer in Pas-de-Calais. Aymeric Savary is already refining his costume and his weapons.

As for the sword, it will come from a small workshop in Poland. The shoes will come from Italy... Aymeric Savary is putting his best efforts to come "as close as possible to the truth", when he will incarnate the first gendarme to have died in battle, this summer, in front of an audience. It will be during a great reenactment of the battle of Azincourt, organized for the 600th anniversary of the event. During the whole year 2015, in Pas-de-Calais, festivities are going to spread.
Originally from Les Sables d'Olonne, this 24-year-old gendarme of the gendarmerie mobile has been picked to play one of the foremost roles. That of Gallois de Fougières, dead in a battle in which he didn't need to participate. This provost, now considered the ancestor of the contemporary gendarme, was charged with ensuring cohesion in an diverse army which was prey to power struggles, and to protect the civilians from pillaging.

At 4 years old, the Puy du Fou
Azincourt? "A stinging defeat for France", says Aymeric Savary. In the middle of the Hundred Years War, sure of its superiority, the French elite is decimated by England. "It wasn't a professional army yet. They called up the nobility and the lords." says the young man.
He knows this episode of history by heart. Fascinated by history "since the age of 4" after a visit to the Puy du Fou, a historical theme park yet at the beginning of its rise. "The knights show was fascinating" Aymeric recalls. "After that, I continued by reading books and watching movies."
At the age of 12, he joined a budding association in Cholet, participated in historical encampments, wielded the sword and wore armours in fights. "Little by little, we became more accurate, and we specialized ourselves in this period of the Hundred Years War." As a teenager, he spent a great deal of his weekends there. After studies in history and gendarmerie military school, he became a non-commissionned officer is Maisons-Alfort, in the Parisian region.

The details of the costume
This year, the gendarmerie will play a large role in the commemorations. Gallois de Fougières' sacrifice is considered one of its founding elements. Its soldiers will actively participate in the diverse ceremonies and will present vehicles and material.
Aymeric Savary offered to play the role himself, contacting the medieval historical centre of Azincourt which had sent out a call for a candidate on the social networks. The medieval historical centre arranges historical encampments and events every summer. It intends to make the year 2015 a memorable one.A more important reenactment and official ceremonies will take place in October, at the historical anniversary.
Aymeric Savary will be accompanied by Kristian Boulinguez, a 24-year-old reservist attached to the gendarmerie of La Roche. Also a lover of history, he will play the role of Jehan de Quesnes, a companion in arms, also killed in the battle.
The young man voluntarily takes care of the the preparing and financing of his outfit, several thousand euros' worth. "Its mostly ressarch to perfect the details and come as close as possible to reality. We work with specialists in the medieval era. Physically, I train for my job, and continue to fight regularly with my association." In this role he holds very close to heart, he remembers that the honour of the Gendarmerie is also at stake.