Live by the sword this Father's Day at Conisbrough Castle

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 June 2012

Fathers who don’t know their lunge from their parry are invited to enjoy a medieval education on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 June, when Conisbrough Castle, near Doncaster hosts a Sword School for Dads to celebrate Father’s Day!

Throughout the weekend, children can join their parents as they are trained in the ways of the sword by a trio of skilled sword masters from History’s Maid, using a variety of medieval fighting techniques.

“Your choice of sword would greatly influence your fighting technique, and indeed, different swords came in and out of fashion during the medieval period, each requiring a slightly different technique according to the length and shape of its blade and hilt,” explains English Heritage’s regional event manager, Jon Hogan. “Our students will learn a number of defensive and attacking techniques, although parents need not worry as we’ll be using wooden ‘wasters’ or training swords for the drill!”

Indeed, each day visitors can see some expert combatants demonstrating the techniques using ‘hand-and-a-half’ swords, which could be wielded with either one or two hands, and sword and buckler – where the fighter has a small shield to defend himself.

The three tutors will also demonstrate some of the techniques used in ‘Trial by Combat’, in which one accused of a crime to which there were no witnesses would fight their accuser. Believing that God would always support the innocent party, this would be an alternative to facing the death penalty – a worthy gamble for a skilled combatant!

“Trial by combat was not only used by men – women, who might not be sufficiently well trained in swordsmanship, would sometimes put a brick or rock into a sock and use that as a very effective weapon – a medieval equivalent of a the modern thwacking of an assailant with a hefty handbag!” adds Jon.

The event runs from 11.00am to 4.30pm, with the castle itself open from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Admission prices are £5.50 for adults, £5.00 for concessions and £3.50 for children, or £14.50 for a family ticket (two adults and up to three children). English Heritage members get in free.

For more information please visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/conisbrough or call 01709 863329.

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins – PRO English Heritage (Yorkshire)

Tel: 0113 251 5698

Mob: 07810 546567

Email: jay@fim.org.uk