Medieval knights promise Easter treat at Kenilworth Castle

Easter Sunday and Monday (4 & 5 April 2010)

If you eat your Easter egg by lopping the top off with a sword, then Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden is promising the ultimate way of celebrating Easter this year as it hosts two days of medieval celebrations, storytelling and combat!

For two days, Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday, the grounds of the castle will be transformed into a medieval encampment, with over 100 professional re-enactors going about their daily business – from sharpening their weapons or engaging in a range of crafts to preparing food for their families over open fires, and particularly making sure that the men-folk have full bellies ready for the battlefield!

“The event is set in the late 15th century, when Richard III was King, but facing the threat of Henry Tudor, who desperately wanted the throne,” explains Kenilworth Castle’s visitor operations manager, Holly Woodward. “Within our encampment, we’ll have families, loyal to the king, supporters of the Tudor pretender, and those whose morale compass merely steers them in the direction of the most profit, but all promise to tell fascinating stories of their lives at war and peace!”

Both days will start and end with grand arena shows, as Richard III’s army goes into battle with followers of Henry Tudor in skirmish set to be the precursor to the Battle of Bosworth! Throughout the weekend, visitors will have a chance to hear the stories of Richard III. Some say his tyrannical reputation was merely the result of slander and malicious gossip from his eventual victors, perpetuated when Shakespeare wrote his tragedy supposedly about the rise to power of a hump-backed monarch! After listening to the stories of the Princes in the Tower and treachery in high places, visitors can come to their own conclusions about the infamous king.

Alongside the combat and living history displays, the medieval knights will be looking for children who have potential to become squires, or even knights! The young potentials will have to complete drill training, learn battle tactics, and take part in a mock battle with hobby horses and foam spears to prove they have what it takes to become a knight of the realm!

The event runs on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from 11.00am to 5.00pm. Admission prices are £9.60 for adults, £8.50 for concessions and £5.80 for children, or £25 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children). English Heritage members receive discounted entry of £2 / £1.50 / £1 / £5 respectively.

Booking tickets for this event is recommended. Please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/events or call 0870 333 1183. A Park & Ride service will run every 10-15 minutes from 10am – 6pm from Kenilworth clock tower bus stop. Please park in the town centre car parks, charges may apply. Disabled parking available at the main castle car park.

For more information about this event at Kenilworth Castle, please call 01926 852078 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworthcastle

For further media information,
please contact: Jay Commins PRO – English Heritage
Tel: 0113 251 5698
Mob: 07810 546567
Email: jay@fim.org.uk