Lords, ladies, history buffs and fantasy fans alike, rejoice: St Ives' medieval fair is returning for a sixth year. The weekend festival will transform St Ives Showground into Medieval Europe with immersive encampments which represent seven centuries of history: the Vikings, Byzantines, Crusades, the Hundred Years War, the Wars of the Roses and into the 17th Century.
To complete the experience, a plethora of historical recreations will take place including the only solid lance jousting event in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring European and Australian jousting masters — yes, people still joust. The program also includes a Trebuchet catapult, markets, traditional folk music, longbow archery demonstrations and displays in which trained birds of prey recreate the medieval practice of hawking and falconry.
If all that makes you thirsty, grab a serve of mead or craft brew from tavern, which is open from 11am–5pm daily.
The public is encouraged to come in costume, so polish your armour, don your finest cloak and prepare for a weekend of royal revelry. See you thither.