Medieval mayhem returns to the streets of Canterbury this weekend (July 5) with 21 trail stops throughout the city to meet colourful characters and peaceful pilgrims in this year’s Medieval Pageant.

Brush off your quills and join Chaucer and his pilgrims for a day of tales, trails, and merriment in the medieval city.

Now in its tenth year, the University is delighted to once again support Canterbury Bid’s Canterbury’s Medieval Pageant and Family Trail as Headline Sponsor.

This year’s pageant puts a spotlight on the medieval pilgrims who came to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket, and the author who wrote Canterbury into the history books – Geoffrey Chaucer.

Embark on the Family Trail, brimming with interactive stops. Collect and decorate a pilgrim badge, take a vow with the visiting medieval royal household, watch knights battle, meet squires, weavers, blacksmiths, millers, writers, bakers and more. You can even visit England’s oldest toilet (although you can’t use it!).

The University will once again be hosting a series of free, fun and entertaining events on our Canterbury campus as part of the Family Trail. These include:

Medieval Encampment Coleridge Garden 10 - 5pm

  • Ost Centingas reenactors will set up an encampment, with living history displays, demonstrating skills and activities from the period. See them at work, including coin making, stone milling, bread making with an open fire, woodworking, armoury, and a knight fighting display.

Make a Knight’s Tale-Inspired Greek Shield Powell lawn, 10 - 5pm

  • Join us on Powell lawn (between Powell and Laud buildings) to design your very own Greek shield, known as 'hoplon' or 'aspis', from recycled materials. This activity is suitable for all ages. In case of adverse weather, this will move to the Daphne Oram Gallery.

Medieval Games Daphne Oram Café, 12 - 5pm

  • The CCCU Games Design team will be presenting a selection of student-designed tabletop and PC-based games. Staff and students will be available to showcase the games.

Medieval and Renaissance Music St Gregory's Centre for Music, 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm (free but bookable)

Experience a journey through the plucked instrumental traditions of Medieval and Renaissance England. These performances, featuring music not heard for five-hundred years, will take place in St Gregory's Centre for Music, a beautiful historic church which has been converted into a stunning music venue.

Performances will take place at 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm and 2.30pm, . Book your place at a performance to help us prepare, and guarantee your seat. Walk-ins also welcome.

Hops and Heritage

Join the MA Heritage students on a walking tour of the campus grounds, exploring how monastic heritage is presented through our green spaces. Starting from the Brewhouse wall - located between Coleridge, Johnson and Powell buildings - you will walk a step-free route through green spaces discussing medieval brewing and wine-making.

Tours will commence at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, and will end up at the Heritage in a Bottle exhibition, in Verena Holmes Gallery. Book your place on a tour to help us prepare, and guarantee your place. Walk-ins also welcome.

Visualising Canterbury Castle

The event will offer visitors the opportunity to see the University’s sneak preview of a new research project which will create a prototype of Canterbury Castle. Visitors will be able to view and navigate a prototype of the Canterbury Castle model on touchscreens at the Medieval Pageant. This project has been generously funded by the Castle Studies Trust.

For more information and timings of the Family Trail events at Canterbury Christ Church University visit our event pages.

Visit canterburymedievalpageant.co.uk for more information on the whole day’s events.

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