history.

rattle up, my boys was launched as a journal in Summer 1987 by founding editor Trevor Stone. 

It was conceived as an "occasional broadsheet" intended to appeal to "all with an interest in Longsword dancing - the enthusiast, researcher, the performer or those with general interest".

Initially the journal was published as and when enough material became available, and Trevor's intention was to issue at least three editions per year. 

The journal was organised into "series" (volumes) from the start. Series 1–6 were published between 1987 and 1997, each containing five issues. 

The journal moved to a quarterly format with issue 1 of Series 7 in Spring 1998 and, barring accidents, has continued to be published quarterly to this day.

rattle up, my boys has had four editors since it was established: 

1. Trevor Stone, 1987–2002 (s.1–11, 50 editions)

2. Andrew Kennedy, 2003–2011 (s.12–18, 28 editions)

3. Jeff Lawson, 2011–2024 (s.19–31, 52 editions)

4. Simon Vaughan, 2025–present (s.32+)