Medieval Open Day

Saturday 25 September

10 am - 4 pm

Please 'read more' to find out which fun and free activities are on offer this year...

Hello, I am Terry the Archives & local Studies Manager. We are now at the time of year when we start the preparation for our annual Open Day. It is a big logitistical exercise, planning the areas of activity, accommodating our guest ‘performers’, re-arranging rooms …and measuring up staff for costumes! But it is also a lot of fun and all the teams at the History Centre look forward to it. Last year we had over 1000 people meeting the Tudors and we hope to have similar numbers this year as we go back further in time.

There will be lots of fun activities with a medieval theme at this year’s free Medieval Open Day. Watch broadsword demonstrations, meet knights in full armour and learn how to wield a replica sword. Visit the Hedge Witch to cure all your ills and find out about the hard life of a pox-ridden peasant. See real medieval documents from our archives, including one bearing the seal of Richard the Lionheart and a list of the Black Death victims from one Wiltshire town. Take a behind the scenes tour of our strong rooms to see how the archive is stored. Investigate Wiltshire’s medieval castles with our Archaeologists. Visit the labs to discover how armour is conserved today and make your own helmet. How much do you know about Wiltshire’s medieval history? Try the giant quiz and find out.  We hope you can join us for a great day out for all the family. Kids are invited to come along in medieval costume for a chance to win a prize.

Your are also still welcome to come along and use our research facilities on the day (computers, microfiche & film and the library), but for obvious reasons we cannot get any original documents out for you, except for the wonderful medieval records that will be on display.

Stop Press…you can also try your hand at some creative writing, inspired by our medieval archives and artefacts and we are hoping to have some  medieval musicians, all courtesy of our Arts team, who are now based at the History Centre.

 
Bess the Hedge Witch