Archers and Artefacts Alive!
The City Museum in Winchester will be home to some strange looking folk from the Middle Ages, when the museum hosts re-enactors from the Medieval Free Company on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March 2006.Visitors will be able to meet a medieval archer complete with longbow, and a man-at-arms. The archer will explain the use of the longbow and how it became the deadliest of medieval weapons. It dominated the battlefield until the middle of the 16th century. Also on hand will be a herbalist to explain the potions she would administer in the event of a direct enemy arrow hit.
During the medieval weekend members of the public will have a great opportunity to handle replica medieval objects and find out what it was like to live and fight in Winchester over 500 years ago. This living history event will take place in the museum's medieval gallery, surrounded by the wealth of real artefacts excavated over the years in Winchester. See if you can spot the medieval Mayor's wooden toilet seat!
Robin Iles, Education Officer at Winchester City Council's Museums Service said "Our living history events at the City Museum always prove popular, and helping to bring the period alive will be an expert from the Hampshire Record Office, who will be in the museum on the Sunday with a genuine medieval documents brought out especially for the occasion from the city's archives"
Cllr Thérèse Evans, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport, said,
"This event promises to be a great opportunity for our visitors and the residents of Winchester and District to find out more about life in our historic city in days gone by. A meeting with the herbalist to find out what was used in medieval times to treat different ailments sounds a must".
You can see the medieval re-enactors at the City Museum, The Square, Winchester from 10am-5pm on Saturday 18 March and 12 midday-5pm Sunday 19 March 2006. This event is free and no booking is required - just turn up!