The Battle For Black Cat Medieval Festival proved to be a hidden gem for Swindon families looking for something different to do.
The local annual event near Roves Farm returned on August 31 and September 1 for its biggest showing yet, and despite yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms, everyone was treated to a couple of warm and sunny days.
Medieval doctors, weavers, calligraphers and knights demonstrated their skills to families, archery on foot and horseback and sword-fighting contests wowed watchers, ferrets were cuddled and raced and both modern and medieval market stall-holders joined together to sell their wares.
The Battle For Black Cat Medieval Festival was a blast - what a treat for Swindon to have something like this so close pic.twitter.com/B9SCYQAEMS
— Daniel Wood (@DanWood_Adver) September 1, 2024
Lots of other stuff took place, such as weaponry demonstrations, knight school for the little ones to try their hand at combat (with foam swords) and people could have a go at archery or they could try proper mead.
Then, on both days a centrepiece battle - The Battle For Black Cat - proved to be the grand finale holding it all together, as all of a sudden all of the people dotted around the living encampment slowly started to muster for battle, putting on their armour and meeting on the battlefield.
The story that unfolds is that the Lord of Black Cat has returned to collect taxes from his subjects after waging an expensive war overseas, only to be met with a peasant uprising - the two respective leaders trade humourous quips before several stages of re-enactment fighting take place.
This was brutal pic.twitter.com/vIBpCSqTl3
— Daniel Wood (@DanWood_Adver) September 1, 2024
Attendees saw horses charge towards a phalanx of soldiers and shoot arrows at them, we saw volleys of arrows fly from one side to another, we saw professional MMA fighters acting as mercenaries properly hit each other with weapons and then after a few more surprises we saw the final skirmish take place to determine who would be victorious.
But the real delight of the whole thing was the interaction between members of the public and the reenactors involved - all through the event space there were people answering questions, showing off items and sharing their enthusiasm.
And all of this in a space that members of the public said wasn't too large but still big enough for there to be plenty to do for a whole day or even a whole weekend.
It is also only £5 for adults, £3.50 for under 16s and under five are free, with most of the additional activities set reasonably as well.
For those who missed out this year, the organisers also confirmed to the Advertiser that it would be back next year.
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