I’m dreaming of a knight Christmas

There will be authentic food for sale, archery, battle re-enactments and a torch-lit parade.

The day will begin at 11.30am with a meeting of medieval knights as they parade through Lancaster town centre and mingle in the city before making their way to the Castle at noon.

The afternoon’s historic delights including a Norman fashion show, outlining the difference between the rich and the poor; authentic medieval carols; a sneak peek into the Earl’s tent to see how nobility really lived on the battlefield; and enjoy a spectacular tournament of knights as they go head to head in the castle grounds.

Children can learn how to be a knight, with an hour long workshop by Wicked Workshops running at 1pm and 3pm, £6 per child.

They can also design a medieval shield and the top five will be picked by the 
medieval Lords themselves, and one lucky squire will be chosen by the Earl to head up a torch-lit parade throughout the streets of Lancaster.

The Knights will light their torches at 4.30pm and march from the castle gates, through the city centre before returning to the castle.

Festivities at the castle will continue into the early evening with an outside Shire Court and more traditional carols.

Meanwhile, Santa will be resident in his grotto every Saturday and Sunday in the run up to Christmas, plus Christmas Eve.

Santa’s workshops will be coming to the castle on December 14/15 with a live ice carving of Santa’s Sleigh.

Francesca Lewis, events manager for Lancaster Castle, said: “The authentic surroundings create a magical atmosphere at Christmas time.”

This weekend’s Medieval Christmas has been orchestrated by local 12th century re-enactment group, Historia Normannis.

Head of the local Morecambe Group and 12th century Knight, Paul Blakey said: “Lancaster Castle is a culturally important landmark for our period history and the perfect place for us to show how a 12th Century Castle was garrisoned.

“For me it’s about bringing history to life, entertaining all ages and showing that history isn’t all textbooks.”

Historia Normannis are on the look-out for new members, www.normannis.co.uk.