Medieval Reenactment

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Published on June 24, 2020 6:25:33 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rEoU1Plw9s

Duration: 4:40

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England’s Medieval Festival isn’t only about Knights, battles, sword-fighting, jousting and sieges, ok well there is lots of that, but there is also plenty of musicians, jesters, fire performers, birds of prey displays, open-air theatre, rides, archery and much more. There is something for everyone, so click play to see some of what is on offer.

England’s Medieval Festival is the largest event of it’s kind in England and is held annually in the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle, in East Sussex, over a weekend in August. The event has grown in popularity and has been running now for over 20 years.

The Festival takes place in the castle grounds and visitors are also free to roam around the exterior of the castle and gardens. The festival has excellent facilities including numerous food and drink stalls. There are also many medieval craft stalls and tents to visit and browse.

Herstmonceux is a grand Tudor castle, surrounded by a moat on three sides, situated in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Built-in 1441, by Sir Roger Fiennes, Treasurer of the Household of Henry VI, it is one of the oldest remaining, significant brick buildings in England. His brother had fought for Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt.

Later notable visitors to the castle included Anne of Cleaves, in 1540, one of the many wives of Henry VIII. The castle subsequently fell into disrepair until in 1911 it was acquired by Lt Colonel Claude Lowther in 1911, a conservative MP, who started the reconstruction work. Lowther created a number of volunteer Royal Sussex Regiments, who went to fight in France and Belgium during the first world war. The Royal Greenwich Observatory bought the castle in 1946 and it served as a scientific institution for over 40 years.

Although there is evidence of occupation during Roman times Herstmonceux was first mentioned in the Domesday book, following the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. The name is derived from the marriage between a Norman nobleman and a Saxon lady.