THE EMPIRE IS COMING AND SO ARE THE BRIGANTES!Malton Museum welcome you to the 2024 Roman Festival, to be held on Orchard Fields, Malton on Sunday 21st July.
This annual celebration of Roman life in our region will have something to please all the family, including kids' activities, historians, archaeology and handicrafts.
Set on the beautiful site of the Roman fort, it will feature the legionary encampment with our re-enactors in their fabulous replica costumes and, for the first time, members of the local Brigante Tribe as well.
The Empire will march its loyal legions into Delgovicia - now known as Malton and Norton -meeting the Brigantes, led by Queen Cartimandua, who have a prisoner the Romans are keen to get their hands on!
What will happen next? Who is the prisoner? All will be revealed in the main arena, where our three re-enactor groups Equistry, Magister Militum and Legio VI Victrix will also be giving demonstrations of Roman weapons, archery, horseback combat and a gladiatorial display. They will be joined by Lena Martel the aerial artist giving a display of Roman entertainment.
Photographer: Louise Lewis
In our new Talks Area, the museum is delighted to have Terry Deary (author of the Horrible Histories series) giving two talks, along with a number of other well-known authors including Nick Brown, Nancy Jardine, Clive Ashman, Julian Morgan and Kate Cunningham.A member of the Brigante tribe will be telling us about Queen Cartimandua, and Roman history researchers, academics and other guests will make sure everyone learns something new as well as having fun. Kemps Books will be there, selling Roman-themed books by the featured authors and many others.
For children of all ages, there are some new activities which include axe throwing, carving a wooden bowl, throwing a plumbata* (courtesy of Sylvankin), and painting plaster like a Roman artisan, as well as the usual hands-on archaeology, dressing up and mosaics. The empire will be recruiting for the Kids' Roman Army: paint a shield, join up and be drilled by legionnaires in the main arena.
There will be food and drink stalls to sustain you during your visit, as well as a number of craft stalls. These include Grahams's Ices, Greek Street Food, The Bistro Guy, Carol's Sweet Treats, Happy Barista and Ryedale Vineyards. There is still a vacancy for a savoury snack vendor if anyone is interested. Please ring Sarah Maltby on 07541 482608.
Tickets are available to buy in advance on the Malton Museum website or on the day at the gate. There is a small surcharge for some activities. For more information visit maltonmuseum.co.uk/roman-festival-2024
