Arundel Castle in West Sussex will take visitors on an epic adventure through history this August Bank Holiday weekend (25-27 August) with 12,000 Years of Combat.
The three-day spectacular will showcase the heritage of Sussex and the Castle, providing visitors of all ages the opportunity to meet characters from the past and watch combat demonstrations.
Several talented and award-winning living history groups will represent a vast range of time periods, beginning with the Stone Age, then travelling through the Roman, Saxon, Norman, Medieval and Victorian periods – and beyond.
The thrilling showdown will see gladiators, crusaders and knights clash in the ultimate ‘who would win’ fight. The skirmishes will combine traditional armour, skilful combat and historical pride with many more surprises along the way!
Tented encampments on the Castle’s Lower Lawns will immerse visitors in days gone by with falconry displays, archery demonstrations, artillery showcases and more. Each performer will dress in historically accurate garments from their respective eras and present a walk through 12,000 years of costume, weapons and armour the end of each day.
Paul Ullson, Castle Events Coordinator, explained: “History is typically taught in isolation – learning about one period or another – but often without understanding the big picture. With 12,000 Years of Combat, we bring the past to life and connect the links between these wide-ranging historical periods. We are looking forward to welcoming visitors to this exciting event and discovering which era is the toughest of them all.”
Stephen Manion, Castle Manager, commented: “Arundel Castle and Sussex have a vibrant heritage which we are very proud to celebrate with this fantastic event. This year is set to be our biggest and best, with something to enthral, entertain and inform visitors of all ages and interests. It’s history in action – and the perfect way to spend the August bank holiday weekend with the family!”
Arundel Castle is open from 10am until 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday and Mondays in August until 28 October 2019. For more information on Arundel Castle and its events calendar, or to purchase tickets for 12,000 Years of Combat please visit: www.arundelcastle.org.
