Following the excellent mini event at the International Living History Festival, our first full medieval reenactment event of the 2026 season took place over the bank holiday weekend at the wonderful Kimbolton Castle for the “Knights, Queens and Time Machines” event.
The castle at night
Another new site for the group, Kimbolton castle was built in the 12th century but saw extensive reconstruction by Anne, Duchess of Buckingham following the death of Duke Humphrey Stafford at the battle of Northampton. Later, the castle was home to queen Katherine of Aragon and would be the place where she died. Not much of the Mediaeval building remains however following subsequent rebuilding projects to turn the castle into a manor house and then a school.
Our camp
Despite heavy rain just after set-up, the event proved incredibly popular, both for the public and group members, with some very good questions and interaction, with over 3000 visitors attending the event on both days. In addition to our usual living history camp there were also two arena displays of medieval firepower and combat alongside our colleagues from the Medieval Siege Society and the Beaufort Companye.
After hours sword practise
Some group members will be attending the Barnet Medieval Festival 6th and 7th June as our next event.
Sunday 9th November saw our final outing of the season for “Medieval Manor”, a one day living history event at West Horsley Place, better known as Button House from the hit TV series Ghosts!
We provided a range of displays covering medicine, games, art, woolcrafts and arms & armour, along with shows of music and dance, knight school for children and armoured combat, against the backdrop of a manorhouse with more than 500 years of history.
Thank you to everyone who came to see us at the Mediaeval Manor event, we had some great questions and brilliant interaction throughout the day and thank you to everyone who has visited us at all the other events throughout the year!
Over the August bank holiday weekend Buckinghams Retinue attended the Knights Tournament at Kenilworth Castle. We provided a living history camp as a backdrop to the tournament itself provided by the Warwick Warriors and musicians The Green Mathews.
The armoury, kitchen, bakery and craft displays all proved to be popular with visitors (more than 5,000 people attended the event across all 3 days), with positive feedback received both from members of the public throughout the day and event organisers.
Our next event will be Bromwich Hall, West Bromwich, 13th-14th September
