Relive life through the centuries at Arundel Castle
2nd February 2008
Magnificent Arundel Castle's 900 years of history are reflected in an exciting programme of events for 2008, most of which are included in the normal admission. Events range from exciting professional re-enactments and jousting tournaments, to activity and have-a-go days and period exhibitions. There are also garden tours with the chance to see the new Earl's garden which will be completed this year, a craft show, classic car visits and the annual Arundel Festival to look forward to.
The Castle opens its doors to visitors from 21st March (Good Friday) and the season begins appropriately with the first period in Arundel Castle's history - The Norman (11-12th century). On Easter Sunday & Monday 23 & 24 March, re-enactment group Raven Tor will set up a fully costumed tented encampment displaying everyday life in Norman times. They will also demonstrate weapons skills, archery tournament and mounted combat and visitors will be able to have a go at archery.
On Sunday 30 March, an MG Car Rally will showcase a popular British marque against the stunning backdrop of the Castle.
Time moves forward to the Late Medieval era on Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 April with a knights and men-at-arms tournament complementing the tented encampment and archery demonstration. There's also a further opportunity to have a go at archery.
If you'd like to watch someone doing something brave for charity, pop along to the Castle's Bakehouse Tower on Saturday 17 May to watch abseilers... or volunteer yourself for a go! It's back to earth the next day, Sunday 18 May, when Hampshire Regency dancers take to the floor for the entertainment of visitors.
The world famous Corpus Christi festival takes place in Arundel Cathedral on Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 May when not only is the cathedral filled with floral displays including a 30-metre carpet of flowers, but the procession of the Blessed Sacrament walks to the Castle for benediction.
Raven Tor bring back their medieval knights on Sunday 25 & Bank Holiday Monday 26 May when they 'Muster for War'. With a knights tournament, weapons drills and full encampment, The FitzAlan Household prepare for campaigning during The Wars of the Roses, for the entertainment of visitors of all ages.
Friday 27 June sees the first of three Garden Tours - the other two being on Friday 25 July and Friday 26 September. Head Gardener Gerry Kelsey or Deputy Gardener Isobel McKinley will lead a fascinating walk around the beautiful restored gardens which include an enormous walled kitchen garden, a contemporary rose garden and many unusual trees. The tours will include a visit to the newly designed Earl's Garden which will be open to visitors for the first time this year. These popular tours need to be booked in advance.
The last weekend in June - 28th & 29th - is set aside for the Sussex Craft Guild Show: an opportunity to browse and buy wonderful original works of art by professional artists, jewellers, sculptors, leatherworkers and many more. Some will be demonstrating their skills, too.
The art of storytelling comes to the fore on Sunday 6 July when a master Distant Trumpets storyteller will bring to life tales of Agincourt, the great battle of 1415 when King Henry V of England defeated a much larger French force in battle. Skilled storytellers of the time held their audiences spellbound with exciting tales of heroism and this event will be no exception.
Pirates storm the castle on Sunday 20 July as Raven Tor present a family activity day - there'll be a chance to have a go at fencing and archery as well as enjoying piratical goings on in the castle grounds.
A series of jousting events takes place from Tuesday 29 July to Sunday 3 August. The early part of the week is presented by Destrier Pro, expert jousters, who will demonstrate the art and skill involved in mounted jousts where knights compete at different events to find a champion. Visitors will find themselves taken back in time as the weekend sees A Grand Medieval Tournament, in an England verses France jousting tournament, and Raven Tor providing a knights melee, and craft encampment which will be a hive of activity.
On Monday 4 August, things calm down a little with a mix of the centuries: a Norman knight takes residence in the Keep, the oldest part of the Castle, and visitors can quiz him on life in Norman times; while down in the kitchens there's a Victorian display. The Victorian kitchen returns on Monday 11 and Monday 18 August, this time complemented by a Medieval Soldier and a Civil War Doctor, who takes up arms in the Keep. Visitors also get another chance to have a go at fencing and archery on Thursday 14 and Tuesday 19 August.
The Castle is the centrepiece of the Arundel Festival which takes place from Friday 22 to Sunday 31 August with three flagship concerts staged in the grounds as well as opera in the Baron's Hall and Shakespeare in the gardens. Details of artists performing and information on the rest of the Festival will be released in early spring.
There's a visit by the Crash Box Classic Car Club on Saturday 13 September. Then the Norman Knights and their household make a welcome return on Wednesday 29 October, this time demonstrating combat, armour, weapons and crafts in the Keep. A final visit by Raven Tor's pirates in the Keep on Thursday 30 October rounds off a full, varied and exciting season for Arundel Castle.
For more information visit www.arundelcastle.org.uk or call 01903 882173.