The road to the creation of the Guild of Gentry & Allied Skills began in the early 1990s when a group of members of the English Civil War Society (ECWS) were asked to provide a civilian element for two ambitious living history projects staged by the Society. At Hull in 1992 we were to create a gentry household within a suite of rooms furnished in 17th century style in Wilberforce House to provide a contrast in lifestyles to those occupying more humble premises in the city. At Chester in 1995 we were to create a group of local gentry, with their servants, taking shelter in Stanley Palace during the 1645 siege of the city. Stanley Palace had facilities that allowed us to produce a basic meal, again to provide a contrast with the humbler fare of the garrison soldiers and camp followers outside.

Opportunities to stage such ambitious events as these are rare, but the gentry group enjoyed themselves so much that they decided to continue by offering their 'product' to English Heritage, with whom the ECWS had enjoyed a long association, at some of their properties that were too small, or otherwise inappropriate, to host the military living history events that the ECWS are best known for.

The English Civil War Society is primarily a military history re-enactment organisation and its administrative structure, based on regiments and officers, did not sit comfortably with a group wanting to stage purely civilian, domestic events. For this reason the Guild was formed as an independent group with its own administrative officers, policies and insurance cover. This immediately made life much easier, and we were able to extend our activities into other heritage properties managed by the National Trust, local government authorities and private trusts, as well as continuing to work for English Heritage.