Cadw 2010 Events

Fancy watching knights go to battle at three castles over three days?
How about stepping back to the Regency period at Raglan Castle? These
are some of the highlights of Cadw, the Welsh Assembly Government’s
historic environment service, 2010 events programme! Commencing in
April and running through until December, why not visit some of Wales’
most famous castles and abbeys as they provide dramatic backdrops to a
bumper bonanza of plays and pageants, battles and military displays.

This Easter visitors are in for a treat for the eyes and senses as the
brave knights of the Plantagenet Medieval Society stage a league
tournament in the medieval castles of CONWY, RHUDDLAN and DENBIGH of
north Wales over three days.

Commencing at CONWY CASTLE on Saturday 3rd April, the brave knights
get ready for battle. Amongst the colorful flags, visitors will be
able to meet the knights and decide for themselves whom they will
support as the battle for supremacy begins.

From then on, follow the knights and cheer them on at RHUDDLAN CASTLE
on Sunday 4th April and then to DENBIGH on Easter Monday, 5th of April
where the overall champion will be decided in a fierce battle of
clashing steel.

This colourful and exciting 3-day event is certain to get pulses
racing and hearts beating!  There will be a second chance to follow
this exciting event in South Wales at CHEPSTOW CASTLE on Saturday 29
May, RAGLAN CASTLE on Sunday 30 May and WHITE CASTLE on Monday 31st
May.

CAERPHILLY CASTLE will be a castle under siege on Sunday 4 and Monday
5 April and a chance to witness the firing of the mighty siege
engines.

Visitors to KIDWELLY CASTLE over the May bank holiday weekend will be
captivated by medieval re-enactment society the Knights of Longshanks
on Saturday 1, Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May, 11am-4pm. Enjoy an exciting
display of weaponry and swordsmanship in the setting of a living
history encampment giving a flavour of domestic life during the Anglo
Welsh Scottish wars of the 13th and 14th Centuries

Castles were not abandoned at the end of the medieval period; many
became great houses, garrisons and even factories. CHEPSTOW CASTLE
welcomes back the Regency period on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of
May when the 41st Regiment of Foot pitches camp within the castles
great walls. As the orders ring out in the Napoleonic fashion and
muskets boom, an age of elegance and élan will unfold once more. But
beware of top hatted Gerry Burrows at his Regency side show; he will
try to fleece you of your hard earned cash with all the tricks of the
tricksters trade.

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Theatre Company brings Shakespeare’s
magical last play The Tempest to a number of Cadw monuments around
Wales over the summer combining love, tragedy and comedy in equal
measures. Discover what happens when Prospero draws his enemies to his
enchanted island to exact revenge! The tour commences at CAERLEON
ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE on Thursday 3 June and CHEPSTOW CASTLE on Friday 4
June before heading to north Wales where they will perform at CONWY
CASTLE on Wednesday 23, Thursday 24, Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Sunday
27 June and ending at HARLECH CASTLE on Tuesday 3 August.

For two days only during August BEAUMARIS CASTLE on Anglesey, will
open its gates and welcome visitors back to the Age of Chivalry…when
daring Knights fought for their Ladies and their honour, when the
clash of steel filled the air and the battlements rang with the cheers
of supporters.

On Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 August, the Knights of BEAUMARIS CASTLE
will fight a tournament to decide who will be the Supreme Knight.
Visitors will be encouraged to choose which knight they will support
and will cheer them on in each round of the tournament.  Between
rounds there will be plenty of entertainment from the Castle jester
and his hilarious antics, stilt walkers and jugglers and fire-eaters.
Elegant ladies clad in velvet and brocade will perform intricate
courtly dances to music played on ancient musical instruments.

Meanwhile in the medieval village all will be hustle and bustle with
the poorer folk of the area going about their work, blacksmithing,
leather working and woodcarving, weaving and spinning, cooking the
daily meal, or even just lounging around playing Nine Men’s Morris.  A
magnificent event, not to be missed!  Here’s an opportunity for
visitors to steep themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of a
time when life in Wales was very different from today.

Why not visit beautiful LAMPHEY BISHOP’S PALACE on Wednesday 25th
August for a spectacular day of Welsh culture, food and crafts.
Spanning the centuries from medieval to modern day, visitors will be
treated to dancing and music, mummer plays, craft stalls and
demonstrations of weaving, spinning and other cottage industries.
Bring an empty stomach and sample delicious food with a Welsh theme or
why not take a tour of the Palace and hear what life was like for the
Bishops of Lamphey?

Jayne Rowlands, Cadw’s Head of Presentation said, “We’re delighted to
bring a feast of events to Cadw monuments in 2010. There are some new
faces and also our old favourites but we’re certain there’ll be
something for everyone and it’s a fantastic way to introduce history
to young and old alike.”

Category: Event Diary