Kenilworth search is on for medieval royalty!

Britain’s largest ruined castle has seen is fair share of kings and queens pass through its gates during its 900 year history, but this summer, members of the public will have the opportunity to be crowned King and Queen of the Castle in a new competition at Kenilworth Castle & Elizabethan Garden.

English Heritage has launched a search for a new King, Queen, Prince and Princess of the Castle to preside over Kenilworth’s grand August Bank Holiday event, the Knights Tournament! The lucky winners will have the best seats in the castle to watch four knights and their squires battle to be crowned English Heritage’s 2012 Champion on Monday 27 August, taking on the roles of the resident royalty for the final battle!

“Traditionally, we’ve had re-enactors playing the part of the Lord and Lady of the castle for our large-scale re-enactment events, but this year, Kenilworth Castle is hosting the grand final of our national Knights Tournament, so we wanted to add an extra fun aspect by having a little audience participation,” explains property manager, Holly Woodward. “Whilst it would have been way too risky to involve them in the combat itself, we can dress them up in fine medieval costume and invite them to preside over the awards ceremony, where the victorious knight will be presented to the King and Queen!”

The competition is open to people of all ages; the King and Queen roles will be filled by adults, but Kenilworth Castle is also looking for a Prince and Princess, too.

“We want to make this as accessible as possible for anyone to enter, so you can either apply to be an individual ‘royal’ or indeed, if we get a family that foots the bill, we could install a single family onto the Kenilworth throne!” adds Holly.

The winners will also receive a year’s free entry into Kenilworth Castle, including admission into all of the site’s fun daytime events for the next 12 months.

Entry into the competition is free, with entry forms available from the site, and downloadable from the Kenilworth Castle website (www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworthcastle). Potential monarchs can also enter via Kenilworth Castle’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/kenilworth by explaining, in 25 words or less, why they should be King or Queen for the day!

The King & Queen competition is part of Kenilworth Castle’s Medieval season of events, which runs throughout the summer. The summer holiday activities continue with medieval-themed weekday Time Travellers Go… events running from 30 July to 24 August.

Kenilworth Castle is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Normal admission prices are £8.20 for adults, £7.40 for concessions and £4.90 for children or £21.30 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children), or free for English Heritage members. Prices may be different on event days. For more details, please call 01926 852078 or visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/kenilworthcastle

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (West Midlands)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk