King Offa Celebrations at Tamworth Castle

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Sun 03 Mar 2024 - Sun 17 Mar 2024

The Saxons are back and they are coming to Staffordshire in the heart of middle England with tales of yore! Saxon story-themed activities will be taking place at medieval Tamworth Castle and Grounds during March as part of a celebration of King Offa, who ruled the ancient kingdom of Mercia, where Tamworth and the surrounding area now stands, from 757 until his death in 796. Tamworth Borough Council is inviting families to join in the Saxon fun, which runs over three weekends in March.

The wargames begin on 3 March in the castle's Great Hall. People are invited to join the Tamworth Wargames Club demonstration from 11am to 3pm, as they use Saxon and Viking table figures in a great battle! The session is being run by Tamworth Games Club, using miniature figures and terrain on tables roughly six feet long to recreate battles and skirmishes from the medieval period.



The following weekend will see a touring theatre show visit Tamworth to entertain families on 9 and 10 March, with a free production of Saxon legends, by Q20 theatre. General castle admission fees apply via the website: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet a friendly troll in both the castle grounds and Ankerside shopping centre in Tamworth town centre on 9 March. The mythical character, accompanied by his friend Esme, will be sharing information about the Saxon Legends production and the Offa procession on 17 March. Visitors are invited to have a photo taken and find out more why trolls played a big part in Saxon tales!

Then, on the weekend of 16 and 17 March, storyteller Dave Tong will share enthralling stories of gods, myths and monsters, He will be at Tamworth Library on Saturday 16 March, every hour between 10am and 3pm; and on Sunday 17 March, hourly between 10.30am and 2.30pm at Tamworth Castle. General castle admission fees apply. The stories will encourage adults and children to imagine they are seated in a Saxon long hall, with richly carved columns decorated with swords and shields, skins and furs. Audiences will almost be able to feel the blazing fires as the storyteller enchants them with wonderous tales from over a thousand years ago.



The sessions will feature tales of fire breathing dragons and the hero, Beowulf; Wayland the Smith, and his swan wife Herva; as well as some lesser-known Saxon folk tales like the Blind Bowmen and the legend of a powerful Iron sword forged deep beneath the earth long ago. Storytelling was integral to Saxon culture as most people could not read, so used storytelling for sharing history or collective memory of the tribe.

Visitors are also invited to join local artist Heather Higgins in making Saxon brooches between 10am and 3pm in Ankerside on 16 March, and in a Saxon marquee at St Editha’s Square on 17 March. People can then bring their Saxon 'bling' to the King Offa’s procession as he returns to Tamworth for Easter charter signing at St Editha’s Church. The marquee will host a variety of activities including Saxon music, re-enactment demonstrations, a craft market and St John Ambulance brass band for the arrival of the procession.



Councilor Tina Clements, Tamworth Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Engagement, Leisure and Events, said: “We’re excited to welcome local artists, storytellers and performers, to our town and castle and look forward to hearing enchanting Saxon tales and creative workshops. Saxons stories were always prized as a pastime whether they were told by someone within the tribe who was naturally good at narration, or a professional scop - a storyteller who would recite epic tales and accompanied their stories with music. Keeping these stories alive is Tamworth Borough Council’s nod to this ancient tradition."

For more information about the King Offa celebration, and to book to visit the castle, visit: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk

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