EVESHAM’S first Medieval Market is to take place later this summer.

Originally planned for May, the outdoor market was postponed because of coronavirus pandemic.

The free market will now take place on September 12 and 13 and includes medieval re-enactors, weapon demonstrations, living history and authentic medieval market stalls.

The outdoor market, staged in the in the town centre, will include over 80 medieval battle re-enactors, knights demonstrating armour and weaponry, medieval music, market stalls, and food and drink.

Originally scheduled to take place in May, with a full banquet and battle arena, the Evesham Medieval Market was postponed because of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Careful planning to maintain social distancing has enabled the market to be rescheduled, albeit without the banquet and battle arena – which will be a feature of next year’s May Medieval Market.

Director Mick Hurst said: “After so many events have had to be cancelled this year – including the Battle of Evesham Re-enactment Festival in August – it’s great to be able to put on this outdoor medieval market which people can enjoy, right in the centre of our beautiful town.

“A huge amount of planning work has gone into the Evesham Medieval Market – and I would like to thank all the re-enactors, volunteers, sponsors and traders for their work which has enabled us to stage a spectacular market which will be safe for visitors, everyone will be required to observe social distancing rules in place at the time.

“Throughout the planning process, the Battle committee has made the safety of our re-enactors, traders, volunteers and the public its first priority.”

The market will take place in locations throughout the historic centre of Evesham. There will be armoured medieval knights and weapon demonstrations in the Living History Camps, located in St Lawrence’s churchyard.

You will also see iron-forges, leatherwork, wooden crafts, needlework, mead making and cooking from throughout the ‘High Medieval Period’ of 1066 to 1845. 

The official Robin Hood Visitor’s Centre re-enactment team are heading over from Sherwood Forest, including Friar Tuck, Maid Marion, Little John and of course Robin himself.

Other groups are representing late-period Vikings, Norman soldiers from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries – all powerful Barons and Royal households with colourful coats of arms.

The History of Dogs group will be describing how our faithful friends played their part in medieval life, and DevilStick Pete – the county’s best-loved jester - will be wending his way around entertaining the public.

Live medieval music is planned for inside St Lawrence’s church together with displays from local community groups, including the exciting Evesham Abbey archaeology project and children’s competitions.

An arts and crafts fair is to be staged inside the adjacent Riverside Shopping Centre, and there will be a food and drink market offering the best of the region’s produce along the pedestrianised Bridge Street, just off Market Square.

With free admission, any funds raised through collections will go towards running the Battle of Evesham Festival in August – now England’s largest annual 13th century battle re-enactment.

More information about the September medieval market and next year’s battle re-enactment is available from battleofevesham.co.uk - or on the event’s Facebook page.