Weekender: District to go back in time for the summer
Experts in the medieval era will return to the the University of Leeds for a series of discussions, demonstrations and debates.
The latest International Medieval Congress will offer a chance for the public to get involved on its final day, when a market serving historically inspired food, a medieval craft fair and demonstrations based on this historical period will take place.
The event from 1st to 4th of July, now in its 26th year, is the biggest humanities congress held across the EU, and the largest in medieval studies in the world.
At least 2,750 delegates have registered so far from over 66 countries. They will come to see over 135 exhibitors and take part in an academic programme comprising over 750 sessions across subjects ranging from Art and Architecture through to Theology and Biblical Studies.
MEETinLEEDS, which arranges conferences, meetings and events at the University of Leeds, is using the event to showcase the district’s own “medieval marvels” to the public.
These include the West Yorkshire Hoard at Leeds City Museum, the manuscripts and prayer books at the university’s Brotherton Library, medieval buildings such as Kirkstall Abbey and Calverley Old Hall and exhibits at Royal Armouries Museum.
As part of the congress there will be a day of medieval-themed entertainment, open to all members of the public, at University of Leeds, on 4th of July.
People are invited to come and watch combat displays, get up close to birds of prey, and see demonstrations of medieval crafts and techniques. There will be fresh, local produce from a Farmers’ Market and a variety of live music performances throughout the day.
A craft fair will feature medieval-stye handmade items, from books through to textiles and jewellery.
And visitors can learn more about the organisations preserving UK local and national history at the Historical and Archaeological Societies Fair.
Finally, congress delegates will visit the site of the 1461 Battle of Towton – the scene of the defining struggle between the houses of Lancaster and York in the quest for control of the English throne.
The delegates will go to the battlefield as part of an excursion during the congress, but the area is also open to the general public.
Towton Battlefield Society, which maintains a Visitors Information Centre in the grounds of the Crooked Billet pub near Saxton, displays information about the battle, including replica artefacts from the period. The society can assist with walks to and from the battlefield for organised groups on request.
