More than one thousand years of living history in one visit is the promise from Milton Keynes Museum as it once again hosts its hugely popular History Festival.
Taking place in May, the festival features lessons in everything from making medieval coins to firing guns like those used in the area during the English Civil War.
There’ll be a chance to see how people lived, worked, ate and occupied themselves during the early years of Henry VIII’s reign, when the 22 year-old King had been on the throne for just four years and was forced to defend his kingdom from the Scots at the bloody Battle of Flodden .
The Tudors accession brought to an end the Wars of the Roses in England, in which the Milton Keynes area played a role. It was at Grafton Regis that King Edward IV courted his bride Elizabeth Woodville – the first commoner to be crowned queen. And at Stony Stratford that their children, the young Edward V and his brother Richard, were met by their uncle Richard and escorted to London. They were never seen in public again and shortly afterwards their uncle had himself crowned Richard III.
A window on those turbulent times will be provided at the festival by Wars of the Roses re-enactors from the Oxford Household.
Other encampments demonstrating how ordinary citizens lived, worked, and entertained themselves include Saxons and Vikings, early medieval, Civil War, and, bringing us closer to the present, a 1940s living tableau from the irrepressible Harry and Edna.
Attractions also include a Roman trader selling replica artefacts, and Dave the Moneyer, with his travelling mint where you can see coins from all ages stamped.
MK Museum’s History Festival runs from 11am-4.30pm on both days, with all the usual Museum attractions also on offer to make a very full day out.
Suitable for
Any age
Admission
Adults: £7.50
Children aged 5-16: £6.00
Under 5s: free
Families (2 Adults + Up To Four Children): £22.00
Concessions: £6.00 (For our disabled visitors we are happy to admit one carer free of charge)
Website
http://www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/history-festival/
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