Elizabethan weekend at Charlecote Park (From Halesowen News)

Elizabethan weekend at Charlecote Park

11:14am Friday 3rd July 2009

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EXPERIENCE the pomp and pageantry of an Elizabethan Hawking Party at Charlecote Park.

The National Trust owned house and parkland is inviting visitors to its Elizabethan Weekend on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July.

Falconer Jan Prymaka and his Elizabethan retainers will be offering visitors an insight into the popular sport of hawking with flying and static displays of birds traditionally bred and flown during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

Visitors can watch two, exciting forty-five minute displays each day accompanied by entertaining commentary on the origins of words such as ‘mews’ and sayings like ‘cadge a lift.’ There will also be the chance to see and hear how members of the Court and aristocracy amused themselves by riding out with the falcons, falconer and retainers to fly their birds at live quarry such as rabbit, pigeon, partridge and grouse.

Under a colourful canopy in the Paddock visitors can get up close and personal with over 15 birds, including the Golden Eagle, on bow perches and find out how they are bred, reared, cared for and flown.

On Sunday 12 July, the falconers will be joined by Queen Elizabeth I and her dancers, the Warwick Courtiers. Visitors can learn how to dance like an Elizabethan courtier or even dance with the Queen at demonstrations and workshops throughout the day. Families can also dress up in Tudor costume, practice quill writing and have fun with brass rubbings and garden games.

Visitor services manager Pam Hill said: “During Charlecote’s Elizabethan heyday it is very likely that the parkland would have been used for hawking parties and the re-creation of this magnificent sport will be an amazing sight. And with a visit from Queen Elizabeth I herself, we are looking forward to a really fun weekend.”

The event runs from 11am to 4pm each day and normal admission charges apply. Flying displays will be held at 1pm and 3pm both days.

For further details please call Charlecote Park on 01789 470277.

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