Kenilworth Castle....Battling for English Heritage

 Norfolk skilfully manoeuvred his boisterous steed, facing his men the Earl spoke with a fervent passion, calling on the throng before him to give their all in the fight to take over the castle. Greeted by an approving roar the columns edged forward whilst on the Castle walls the heavily outnumbered Royalists could only stare out and hope the castle defences would be sufficient to stop them being over run. Screams rang out as men fell from a shower of arrows dropping from the sky sent by the Archers perched high on the turrets, but Norfolk’s army kept marching closer to their goal. Their battle cry rung out as they charged, waving their standards, swords at hand, shields protecting as the castles occupants attempt to repel them. Their first attempt fails and an aura of calm develops as casualties on both sides are carried away and the attacking masses retreat to regroup before trying again.

Amongst the quietness a child cried aloud…… his mothers swift response “ you can have an ice cream when the men have stopped fighting” bringing things back to reality.


This was Kenilworth Castle 2013 style and a re enactment event part of the English Heritages “Let battle commence” programme at sites all around the country. Having to compete against it’s much more heavily commercialised neighbour , the “Merlin Group” owned Warwick Castle, days such as these offer the public the chance to experience medieval activity at a much more family friendly price. Attractions throughout the day included 3 stages of the battle from 1266 that became a 6 month siege and demonstrations by the enthusiastic authentically dressed actors regarding armour, fighting techniques and life in a medieval camp. Shakespearean type performances outlined the story of the siege and the roles that the occupants of each camp would fulfil enthralling both young and old.

 














    
















 

Kenilworth Castle set in the beautiful Warwickshire country side contains the ruins of the original Castle, the meticulously laid out  Elizabethan Gardens, a tea rooms set within a renovated medieval barn and a Tudor Gatehouse, built in 1571. Originating from Norman days the Castle has had a rich and varied history from Battles to Royal visits through to its destruction by the Parliamentary army during the English Civil war.

The large grounds offer ample opportunity for a wander round, exploring the ruins, climbing the ramparts,finding a labyrinth of hidden rooms, an historical adventure playground for kids of all ages.

The Elizabethan gardens have been beautifully recreated with the castle ramparts offering a fine vantage point to fully appreciate its lay out. Records dating from the 16th century giving a detailed description of the garden have allowed it to be authentically replicated, including fountains, statues, arbours and a bejewelled aviary.

The museum within the Gatehouse details the intriguing relationship between Queen Elizabeth 1st and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester who allegedly wooed the Virgin queen when she visited the site back in 1575. All this amid ongoing scandal of Dudley’s wife being found mysteriously dead at the foot of a staircase as their relationship blossomed. Today's newspapers would certainly have a feast of headlines at such a gossip ridden royal story.

 
 













 

This live medieval exhibition certainly seemed to capture the imagination of the young children amongst the large crowds attending the event. In turn, It certainly seemed the gift shop was doing a roaring trade as the mass fun filled sword fight involving scores of foam sword wielding children seemed to indicate. The English Heritage sites really depend on days such as these to plough much needed funds into their restoration works, one battle we should all be prepared to sign up for.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/