Over the Bank Holiday weekend we returned to the Avoncroft Museum of Historical Buildings to take part in their Mediaeval Life event.
Our camp next to the perry mill and barns
Throughout the day we provided a series of very well attended talks on clothing, medicine, food, fiber arts and archery/firepower.
Cooking on the fire inside the medieval house
Victoria and Mark talking medieval medicine
Fran, Rachel and Jenni delivering a talk about wool and fiber arts
The cannon in the archery and firepower display.
Our next and final event of the year will be at the Bromwich Hall Manor House Museum, West Bromwich on 16th & 17th September. See the Manor House Museum website for further information: Bromwich Hall - West Bromwich Manor House Museum | Bromwich Hall - The Manor House Museum | Sandwell Council.
The group recently took a supporting role in the Legendary Joust event for English Heritage, held at the wonderful Eltham Palace in London. Buckingham's Retinue, along with other members of Livery and Maintenance, provided living history throughout the day, despite the heavy showers.
The camp setup
The lights of Canary Wharf and central London seen from the camp at night.
Our next event will be Medieval Life at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, Bromsgrove on Sunday 27th and Monday 28th August. See the Avoncroft website for further details: Bank Holiday - Medieval Life with The Buckingham's Retinue | Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings
On the 15th and 16th July, Buckingham's Retinue once again returned to Skipton Castle, the historic seat of the powerful Clifford family and guardian of the Yorkshire Dales. Skipton castle is a popular site with both group members and the public alike, as we are allowed to occupy rooms within the castle and bring parts of the historic fortress to life as it would have been in the mid 15th century.
Skipton castle looking moody in the rain
Each day began with the noble ladies dressing in thier finery
Kitchen staff hard at work
Marchpane subtleties in the shape of the Clifford wyvern being prepared
Just part of the large array of wonderful food prepared by the kitchen team.
Despite the persistent rain, we provided a full range of historical performances, with music and dance, mumming plays and a fashion show appearing as timetabled talks along side our living history displays of arms and armour, medicine and crafts
The dragon waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting champions in our mumming play
Rob and Zoe portraying Lord and Lady Clifford
Each day ended with arming of the knight and a brief display of mediaeval combat, taking place inside against the dramatic backdrop of the old chapel.
Our next event will be supporting the Legendary Joust at Eltham Palace, Greenwich, London, on 29th and 30th July. Please see the English Heritage website for tickets and further details Legendary Joust at Eltham Palace | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk)
