You’re living in the Dark Ages! Medieval re-enactors hit out at castle owners who have cancelled their annual festival blaming its impact on wild meadows
- Herstmonceux Castle withdrew from the event after rare ecosystems sprung up
- England’s Medieval Festival has been going for 30 years – and attracts thousands
- It was due to hold a Battle of Herstmonceux with hundreds of knights in armour
- But they were axed after Herstmonceux pushed ahead with sustainability plans
Medieval re-enactors are up in arms after the castle hosting their main festival refused to have them – because wild flowers are growing there.
Herstmonceux Castle withdrew from the event after rare ecosystems sprung up in its grounds during the pandemic.
England’s Medieval Festival has been going for nearly 30 years and attracts thousands of visitors.
One re-enactor Abi Mills said: ‘I think the public and re-enactors should at least try a petition to the castle.
‘And show the huge vast amount of people who are upset by this decision. It’s almost 30 years old this event. It seems like a very silly excuse.’
Cathy Cadden, who has been going to the festival since it started in 1993, said: ‘Now I need to find another show to attend with the ferret racing team.
‘This show was our biggest earner of the year and paid for some of our huge vets bills.’
Herstmonceux Castle withdrew from the event after rare ecosystems sprung up in its grounds during the pandemic
England’s Medieval Festival has been going for nearly 30 years and attracts thousands of visitors
The festival in the East Sussex village was due to be held from August 27 to 29. It was due to hold the ‘Battle of Herstmonceux’, with hundreds of knights in armour.
It also had knights jousting twice a day alongside an archery tournament, puppet shows, minstrels and a grand parade each afternoon.
But these plans have been axed after Herstmonceux pushed ahead with sustainability projects in lockdown, with wild flower meadows blooming.
A spokesman said: ‘After much thought we have concluded that the scale of the event and significant impact it has on the Estate is no longer compatible with the environmentally sustainable approach being taken on the Castle’s 330-acre public Estate.
‘The Covid pandemic has allowed the team at the Castle to push ahead with initiatives that are now seeing rare and significant ecosystems and habitats being restored and the large and disruptive nature of the event is very much at odds with this critical work.’
The festival in the East Sussex village was due to be held from August 27 to 29. It was due to hold the ‘Battle of Herstmonceux’, with hundreds of knights in armour
The moated castle, which is nearly 600 years old, is owned by Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.
The 600-acre site uses sustainability and biodiversity to nurture and preserve the natural environment at the historic site, while providing a ‘living lab’ for students.
This has included efforts to re-wild large areas of the estate and the dedication of a 20-acre space to create a wildflower meadow.
In 2021 Times Higher Education ranked Queens University as first in Canada and fifth in the world for universities advancing sustainable development goals.
Some re-enactors are sympathetic with these decisions. Falconer Kevin Hobs Lochner said it was a ‘Fair decision if it is in the interest of habitats and wildlife returning.’
It also had knights jousting twice a day alongside an archery tournament, puppet shows, minstrels and a grand parade each afternoon
Kate Westwick said: ‘Really glad we took part last year, but it was feeling a bit like a last huzzah even then. I feel sure another event will fill the void.’
Mark Griffin said they should ‘find another site. Use some of the revenue generated in the past to build something to fight over.’ But many fans remained enraged.
Owen Jeal, who has a degree in Marine Conservation, said: ‘Bloody stupid idea there are many small businesses that rely on this event to make money.
‘Especially after the last few years*’ James Denton Smyth said: ‘Typical. I was going to go with the kids for the first time this year.’ Emmy Warwick said: ‘This is so sad.’
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