A glimpse into medieval times with popular festival now in fourth year

Last weekend saw the return of the popular town council funded Medieval Festival bringing excitement and entertainment on Vauxhall Fields, Monnow Bridge and Monmouth Castle.

Three reenactment groups, - Freeman of Gwent, Free Company of Aquitaine and the Angevins - brought a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm with them on everything from medieval writing, to food, clothing, arms and armour.

This year they were joined by Tom Livingstone, a highly skilled heritage mason, who set up his mason’s lodge at Vauxhall Fields and gave a live demonstration of hot lime slaking, the process of mixing quicklime (calcium oxide) with water which triggers a violent reaction, rapidly converting the caustic rock into a workable, non-hydraulic calcium hydroxide putty or mortar.

Helen Ackerman, local blacksmith from Welsh Newton, gave a demonstration of blacksmithing with her forge. Anyone who missed her can visit Ackerman Forge by appointment.

Highlights on the programme included the ever-popular tours of the Monnow Bridge gatehouse where visitors had the chance to look back into Monmouth’s history and Monmouth Castle with sword demonstrations and children’s sword school.

The Savoy Theatre held screenings of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves on both days.

Event’s over the weekend, included: Dressing a knight, medieval Origami, Falconry Flying Displays courtesy of the Gloucester Falconry School: Going from a peasant to Lord; Children in the Middle Ages; Arming a knight, dressing an archer and archery display.

Axe throwing was also available throughout Sunday only and traders displayed and sold arts, crafts and refreshments. At Monmouth Castle, there was a sword demonstration as well as tours of the castle where Henry V was born and a kids sword school .

You can visit their facebook page at Monmouth Medieval Festival. The event was funded and organised by Monmouth Town Council.

See page 32 for more pictures.