Knights descend upon Norwich Castle for a day of medieval spectacle

Helmets on show at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

At Saturday Knight Fever there were battles to be fought on the castle green and the chance to meet a medieval war horse on the castle mound, meanwhile inside the keep people were able to find out more about weapons and armour, make their own shields and swords, and even take part in a knight's dance.

The day of knightly fun was linked the castle's £13.5m Gateway to Medieval England project to transform the keep back to its former glory as a royal palace for Norman kings, and at Saturday's event people were also able to find out more about the ambitious project.

Anna McCarthy, from Norwich Castle, said: 'We have got the big keep redevelopment project and as well as putting together all the architectural plans we are also piloting what our visitor programme will be in the future. With Saturday Knight Fever we were bringing the knights back to life. We are a lot about the place and the castle, but it is also about the people too, and the knight is one of the most exciting and romantic characters, full of bravery and valour.'

She said the plan was to have many more larger scale events like Saturday Knight Fever in the future as well as a new Knight Club for children.

Beatrix Lloyd-Peck, three, makes a sword with help from Rachel Daniel, learning assistant, at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Among the castle's visitors on Saturday was archaeologist Sophie Tremlett, 42, from Norwich, who enjoyed making swords with her children Thomas and Matilda Percival, seven and five.

'They have seen the fighting with the knights on the Castle Green which was very exciting and they have loved doing the crafts,' she said.

'I like the idea of the castle keep project because I think it will help people understand how the keep once was. It is about understanding how it worked as a medieval building rather than as a museum.'

Teacher David Lloyd-Peck, 39, from Beeston Regis, was with his wife Fran, their three-year-old twins Leo and Beatrix and pupils from Beeston Hall School. He said the castle keep project was a great idea because the historic building looked so impressive from the outside and it would be nice to see the inside of castle transformed back to how it was in medieval times too.

Myrtle Donhou, six, holds a heavy replica shield at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Louise Donhou, 38, from Sprowston, who was at Saturday Knight Fever with her husband Tim and their six-year-old daughter Myrtle, said: 'It was a great event for children to enjoy and really informative. It's great to raise awareness for the project. It looks fabulous what they are going to do with the castle.'

Matilda Percival, five, with a buckler, a knight's training shield, she has made at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Beatrix Lloyd-Peck, three, battles like a knight at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Zachary Wells, 10, left, and Holly Longley, nine, ready to battle each other in medieval combat at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Zachary Wells, right, 10, and Holly Longley, left, battle each other in medieval combat at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

Kirsty Langley wearing authentic replica Russian armour at the Saturday Knight Fever event at Norwich Castle. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)