Medieval Magic returns to Tonbridge Castle

The Medieval Fair, now in its eighth year, will be open from 10am - 5pm on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September.  It will transform the grounds of Tonbridge Castle and entry is free.  

Everyone is welcome and visitors will be able to enjoy a whole host of 15^th century sights, sounds and smells brought to life by Living History Group, Pelican-in-her-Piety.  Medieval re-enactments will be a feature of the day with swords echoing on armour and blades crunching on chainmail as fighters meet in combat and visitors will come face to face with men-at-arms decked in armour and telling stories of past battles. Rough Musicke will further enhance the ambiance of the past, serenading visitors by playing traditional instruments including Border pipes and a variety of medieval woodwind. 

There will also be lots of medieval-type items on sale including pottery, children's costumes, pewter goblets, tankards and bowls and the 'Mystics of the East' will be doing tarot readings. Family favourite Bosco the Jester will be returning to entertain the crowds throughout the weekend with wonderful interactive shows and performances together with two fantastic performances each day of Graham Clarke's "Starta Magna Carta Thearta". The play was written to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta earlier this year and Graham will be taking part in the play and his limited edition etching of the Magna Carta sealing will be on display in Tonbridge Castle.

Tonbridge Castle will be offering free limited tours over the weekend as part of the Heritage Open Days and there will also be a display in the Castle from local groups and art on display on the Castle lawn railings as in previous years.

To complete the weekend's activities the Tonbridge Town Team will be hosting another Dragon Boat Race on the River Medway at the foot of the Castle with 24 teams competing to be the Dragon Boat Champions.

Cllr Maria Heslop, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure, Youth and Arts, says: "Medieval Tonbridge Castle makes the perfect backdrop for this authentic, fun event the whole family can enjoy. I hope that local people will turn out to experience the sights and sounds of 15th century England and at the same time take this great opportunity to discover some of Tonbridge's medieval history – and this year, when we celebrate the 800^th Anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta we have the added attraction of Graham Clarke's play as well as his etching on display in the Castle.  It certainly promises to be a fun filled weekend of free entertainment."

Timetable for both days:

11am                           Arming of the Knight

11.30am                      Combat Display

12 noon                       Medieval Music and Dance

12.15pm                      Magna Carta Play

1pm                             Punch and Judy

1.30pm                        Medieval Music and Dance

1.45pm                        Jester

2.15pm                        Punch and Judy

3pm                             Magna Carta Play

3.30pm                        Arming of the Knight

4pm                            Combat Display

4.30pm                        Jester

For more information please call 01732 876166.