Venue: Herstmonceux Castle, Herstmonceux, East Sussex, BN27 1RN
The Bank Holiday Weekend represents a premier event for the MSS. At Herstmonceux we host two full sieges and two parades daily, plus a prestigious archery contest. Other attractions include one of the best medieval camping opportunities to be found anywhere in Europe, the largest medieval traders market and unique arena displays of horsemanship and battle craft. All festival participants who are in costume are invited to take part in the twice daily parades before each siege. This includes all children whether or not they take part in the siege.
England's Medieval Festival provides a real chance to fight the Czechs, Swiss, French, Belgians, Italians, Irish, Germans, Americans, Canadians, Ozzies and Kiwis, Scots, English, Norwegians and Danes (please advise me of any nationalities which have inadvertently been left out) in a safe but challenging environment.
We have moved the afternoon battle to the more spacious area behind the castle. This accommodates an unlimited number of cannons which can be fired virtually at will. It also allows for an increased number of fighters with enough space to manoeuvre and run in and out of the woods. We will also be able to add horseback cavalry.
Competency Testing: All those who have still to be competency-tested should see the MSS Captain of Arms (arms@medieval-siege-society.co.uk) before engaging in any combat in the field. A testing arena should be available for all those who have still to be checked out.
Registration: You must register with the MSS Membership Secretary (membership@medieval-siege-society.co.uk) before participating in this event. This is to ensure that you are covered by our insurance.
MSS Invite: As a precaution please have your MSS membership card with you as a pass. Gate security is stringent and is run by the site and not by us, who know you all individually (of course)!
Access: From Friday to Tuesday in order that members can help set up Friday and clear up on Monday and Tuesday.
Animals: Allowed with the usual provisos - ensure that they do not bite Clive!
Directions: Herstmonceux Castle main entrance is sign posted from the (A269) A271 Battle to Hailsham road just east of Herstmonceux village.
Late arrivals: After 9:30am on Saturday late arrivals will be directed to the rear entrance by site staff.
Washing: Showers/washroom facilities are available at Bader Hall for participants. Please keep them as tidy as possible - their use is a privilege and not a right. Keep washroom floors as clean as you can if conditions are muddy.
Camping - Medieval: There are at least five large areas set aside for living history camping: opposite the castle, along the sides of the jousting arena and in the fantastic park land at the back of the castle where the afternoon battle is held. There is space enough for everyone now that the back of the castle has been opened up for camping and the afternoon battle. Leave the proper safety distance between your tent and other ones. If you would like to view more images of the grounds see Herstmonceux Castle in the photos section.
Plastic: This includes both campers and caravans and is located in the large fenced off field to the west of the castle.
Living History competition: There will again be cash prizes of £500.00, £200.00 and £100.00 for the best living history campsites. This is an opportunity for all groups but especially those who don't normally take part in the fighting to show off their best living history camps. If you wish to take part either as an individual, household or group you must fill in the on-line group application form and tell the organisers you want to enter the competition. You must also prepare some sort of medieval looking sign with your name on it so that the judges will know what group they are looking at. Prizes will be awarded on Sunday so that the group can spend the cash over the weekend if they wish.
Fires: Cooking fires in the medieval camps must be off the ground to avoid turf damage. Firewood will be provided in a number of locations around the site.
Traders:MSS medieval traders who wish to fight can set up with the medieval camp opposite the castle, otherwise in the main medieval traders market around the village stage. You must fill in a form to book a space by the village stage. This is best done on the festival website traders section or a paper form can be sent out to you by the Malcolm Group; telephone +44 (0)208 416 0398 to request a form if you do not have internet access.
Beer Tent & Food tent: available onsite at set times throughout the weekend. We expect the highest standards of behaviour at events and in the pub and beer tent.
Litter: Please ensure that all bottles are disposed of sensibly and that litter is picked up. Rubbish should be placed in the skips provided for that purpose behind the beer tent and in the plastic campsite.
Car Parking: If you are parking the in the participants plastic camp field, please ensure you are parked sensibly. If ground conditions are wet you may not be able to get up the hill again.
DO NOT leave your car parked in an awkward place or ignore calls to move all cars from the public areas by 9:30 each morning if you are parked at night by your living history campsites.
Event Details: Muster to help lay out this busy event.
Cannon and other early weapons will also be fired at set times.
Timetable Sat/Sun/Mon: Muster for Sieges 10:15am & 2:15pm at the west side entrance to the castle.
Daily Archery Tournament: Shooting times are 08:30 registration, 09:25 safety brief, with shooting from 09:30 to 17:00 (deadline for archery score sheets).
MSS hosts 2 full sieges and parades daily plus an archery contest (MSS archers and arbalests welcome to shoot free) medieval camp, etc.
Departure: By Tuesday night for those staying to dismantle. Should you require longer please contact gilly@mgel.com to make arrangements.
