History Of Bedfordshire Medieval Festival

Every Month of June

Every year, people from far and wide will get to experience the Medieval Festival in Bedford where a certain site in the town will be transformed into a Medieval setting complete with 14th and 15th century encampments. This fascinating festival is opened with the gunners of the Compagnie of Saynte Barbara firing the Bombard, which is a siege engine weighing one-and-a-half tonne. This firing off is to signal the start of the displays and demonstrations that make up the programmes of the festival.

The courtly dances of the Paladins of Chivalry garbed in robes and garments of vibrant colors are among the features of the festivals. The splendid troupe of Knights, Squires and Ladies as well as other Destrier, mounted on handsome horses, showing off their skills during the Mounted Hunting Games is also among the highlights spectators look forward to during the festival.

While others are attracted to the Falconry exhibition during the festival, there are others who are more interested in the skills demonstration where the Cobham Household of the Medieval Siege Society shows their sword and wooden daggers skills. There is also a full contact fighting tournament that uses medieval blunted swords with knights wearing full-plate amour that quite a lot of spectators love to see.

You will enjoy the many reenactments that are staged during the course of the festival and among these is the recreation of the Battle of Northampton in 1460, which was part of the War of the Roses.