15th century dance at the festival
When: 6th – 9th September 2018
Where: Bolton Castle, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 4ET
£: Festival tickets start from £25 for a day pass, with free entry for under 14’s.
What is it?
A Yorkshire Dales castle will provide the perfect backdrop for one of Europe’s largest festivals devoted to medieval music this September.
Medieval Music in the Dales, from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th September, will be held in the grounds and rooms of the historic 14th century Bolton Castle in Wensleydale.
This year, the event will be holding a new Family Day of entertainment on the Sunday. Visitors of all ages will be able to get involved. There’ll be the chance to have a go at playing some of the weird and wonderful instruments associated with the Middle Ages, such as medieval bagpipes, the hurdy-gurdy or shawm; as well as enjoy a slice of medieval comic theatre, and take part in a mummers folk play alongside a troop of merry minstrels.
A performance of medieval music
This year’s festival is themed around telling the stories of medieval Britain. Visitors can relax in the laidback atmosphere of the castle, including the atmospheric tavern, listening to musicians and tellers of tales in authentic costume performing concerts and leading hands-on workshops.
Storytellers will tell tales of saints and sinners, sprinkled with characters such as pious princesses and loathsome lords, while the final evening will be a night of revelry, with the medieval cabaret and ceilidh in the candlelit Great Chamber.
There will also be a craft market selling everything from medieval-style furniture and wooden ornaments, through to pottery and leather goods.
The timing is ideal for those wanting to get in the middle ages mood, because this slice of living history comes just a few weeks before the latest film re-make of Robin Hood goes on general release in UK cinemas.
More info: www.medievalmusicinthedales.co.uk
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