THE ROBIN HOOD PAGEANT ARCHIVE

Below are a selection of photographs taken at Pageants from previous years (several years are undocumented due to closure following high winds or storms).

Photographs from the 2007 event can be found on the main Robin Hood Pageant page with additional images here and at www.nottinghamcastle.info/rhpageant.htm

The Robin Hood Pageant 2006

Saturday 21st October

A combination of renewed interest in the legend thanks to the new BBC television series and good weather seemed to have brought tourists and families from far and wide so the event this year was particularly well attended.  The main entertainment takes place up on the castle green with tiered seating/standing to two sides to allow plenty of people a good view of the shows.  This year there were five main acts there each performing twice so that there was opportunity for everyone to see.  I missed the opening ceremony but stayed for the first round of performances which you can see photos from below (some alternate viewpoints were taken when I caught glimpses of the repeat afternoon acts).

The Silver Arrow Competition

(by The Dogs of War)

First two members of the audience are given the opportunity to have a go followed by an archery competition between members of the group.  Commentary is provided throughout explaining archery terminology etc (remember bows are shot not fired!).

Next comes the Silver Arrow Contest where three archers shoot before the Sheriff to win the coveted prize (which looked very much like Herne's Silver Arrow from Robin of Sherwood).

The Hooded winner of the contest reveals himself to be Robin Hood here to rescue Marian from her fate to be the Sheriff's bride.

Marian is soon recaptured and Robin is forced to flee so he can attempt another rescue later on.

Half a Palaver

The next segment of entertainment was provided by Half a Palaver performing daring feats of juggling and fire breathing to astound the audience.

Falconry

(by Raptor Care)

A Harris Hawk (Wilf), Owl and Peregrine Falcon (Tag, short for Tintagel) were flown in this display with audience participation running with bait to show the skill of the birds.  The Falcon was distracted and actually left the arena during the morning show but hopefully was back with his owner soon thanks to the radio tracking device it was mentioned the bird wore.    

Robin Hood is Captured

(The Dogs of War with Regia Anglorum)

Robin Hood makes a second attempt to rescue Marian from being forced to marry the Sheriff.

(Yes this photo does look like a musical version of Robin Hood).

Robin makes a speech to the people of Nottingham before engaging the Sheriff in battle to free Marian.

Despite his valiant efforts Robin Hood is captured by the Sheriff's men but all is not lost as King Richard returns before the wedding can take place.

The audience is allowed to show their support for Robin and disapproval of the Sheriff and so King Richard frees Robin and insists that he and Marian be wed.

Whilst the Jousting equipment is set up Half a Palaver return to entertain the audience.

Jousting

(The Knights of Nottingham Jousting Troop)

King Richard and his entourage take their seats at the back of the arena and the teams of knights and squires representing the King of England and the Sheriff of Nottingham enter the arena.

King Richard's challengers.  As you can see the beer tent is enjoyed by visitors from all eras.

Guy of Gisbourne representing the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Knights show their skill at the quintain.  Then it is time for a challenge at the list.

A drunken Sir Frederick of Flawforth passes lying down much to the chagrin of Sir Guy of Gisbourne when the Knight Marshall deems there is no rule against this.

Battle between the Knight's representing the King and the Sheriff of Nottingham continues using a variety of weaponry as the crowds look on.

With three of the Sheriff's men against one of the King's the odds don't look good but victory is ultimately with the crown.

Knights salute the audience.

In the grounds below a medieval encampment is set up with living history displays and market stalls.

With so many crowds this year and the light being scarce under the tree canopy I'm afraid I don't have many images of this part of the pageant but assure you it is worth a visit. Alongside the camp there was the opportunity to try your hand at archery a puppet show by a local community group, storytelling and games for the children and at the bandstand entertainment from No Strings Puppet Theatre and The Medieval Maniax (see the Robin Hood Festival pages for more information on their show).

The Robin Hood Pageant 2005

Medieval encampments beneath the trees.  Re-enactors give demonstrations of weaponry, costume and the way people lived and answer visitor questions.

Coin striking and a fletcher at work.  The market place area offers visitors the opportunity to buy from the stalls as well as observe the different camps.

Popular duo What A Palaver offer comedic entertainment and thrills with their unique displays of fire eating, juggling and yes that really is a bed of nails!

Audience participation always seems like a great idea until the children realise what they've volunteered for.

Falconry display by Raptor Care.

An informative combat display from the re-enactment groups

Anmod Dracan

Dave & Paul from The Dogs of War

A brave audience volunteer suits up to see just how much extra weight and restriction combatants had to deal with in their armour

The Dogs of War guide the audience through what it is like for the volunteers wearing the different armour and using the weaponry.

It's not just the modern day audience that await the joust........

The Knights of Nottingham Jousting Troop salute the audience.

Friar Tuck mistakes one of the Sheriff's henchmen for the quintain.

Time for a medieval coffee break for the other entertainers.

The sheriff prepares to joust and Friar Tuck believes the quintain is a challenger on foot.

The sheriff puts paid to any heckling from the crowds

Robin and the Sheriff cross lances as mini Marions and Robins look on.

Friar Tuck prepares to joust.

Robin and the Sheriff fight the final battle of the day with Robin of course victorious!

The Robin Hood Pageant 2004

Saturday 23rd October

Due to some excessively heavy rain I cannot fill the page with photos and wax lyrical about an idyllic day trip back to medieval times I'm afraid.

The reality of the day was rain and more rain from just after 1pm.  As soon as I walked through the gates the brief respite of sunshine vanished and once the rain began again it never let up.  The medieval encampment seemed to be bustling.  Wandering minstrels like The Singing Plague Victims were attracting audiences along the pathways.  A variety of crafts and traditional skills were on display.

After a peek at the main arena where The Golden Eagle Medieval Archers were putting on a display the rain began to step up a pace so I made my way into the castle which was heaving with visitors sheltering from the skies.  Not a single umbrella on sale in the shop though!   Braving the elements a little later as I was hoping to see the jousting if it went ahead (which I was quite surprised it did considering the weather) it was Regia Anglorum.

Followed by a speeded up version of What A Palaver's bed of nails routine the jousting finale began.  I had the best view I've ever managed to get and am more than a little frustrated that the rain meant I had to leave my camera in it's bag the whole day!  The usual professional display of skill from The Nottingham Jousting Association took place.  I believe a few of the riders had switched roles (interesting to see the previous Sheriff now riding as Robin Hood), all continuing to put on a great performance for the crowds.  Despite the treacherous conditions as the rain transformed the neatly trimmed Castle green into a muddy field jousters tilted, displayed skill at the quintain and with rings and there was foot combat with swords, pike axe etc.

Unfortunately the weather had kept the numbers of visitors down and many began to leave early as the rain soaked through.  Rain had made it's way through the padding of my coat and a couple of jumpers so I quite understand those seeking a warm fire earlier.

Sunday 24th October

A sunny morning tempted me into returning to see if the afternoon entertainment would look any more appealing in sunlight and of course it did.  The crowds were larger and the atmosphere more merry as any rain was brief and light and much of the sky stayed blue and sunny for the day.

The Robin Hood Pageant 2003

(Photos currently in hiding, believed to have been confiscated by The Sheriff of Nottingham)

The Robin Hood Pageant 2001

 (Report taken from an old website, photos dark due to failing November light)

On Saturday 3rd November 2001 I enjoyed my annual escape to Medieval England at Nottingham Castle. The grounds of the castle are transformed into a mock village which is inhabited for the weekend by hundreds of enthusiastic re-enactors who help bring the legendary Robin Hood to life.

I arrived early afternoon to join fellow enthusiasts and tourists queuing at the castle gatehouse whilst being entertained by a band of minstrels. Authentically dressed warriors and village folk wandered about the grounds answering questions and demonstrating various crafts. From fighting techniques to weaving, all manner of talents were on display. I enjoyed a wide variety of exhibits and authentic looking encampments where I saw a Fletcher, an Apothecary and many more, all with fascinating tales and valuable skills to demonstrate.

Beside the bandstand the Forest Bowmen had set up an area where everyone could have a go with bow and arrow. This is one event it is a good idea to have a companion to hold your bags for; being laboured with camera and a rucksack I wasn't able to try my hand at archery but enjoyed watching others hit the targets. The experts also gave a display in the main arena but I was unfortunately too late to enjoy their demonstration this year. At the other side of the bandstand Mark Mark productions, a comic act were entertaining young and old with their show. As I stood to enjoy the performance the audience was parted by cries of "Make way for King Richard", but the passing royal procession was quickly denounced by the French accents of the entertainers.

After enjoying the atmosphere of the medieval village I walked up to the main events arena on the Castle green to find that the stand had filled quickly and so I decided to find a place by the rope on the far side before all the good views were taken. I arrived to see Regia Anglorum re-enacting tales and battles of Robin and his Merry Men, Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. After a number of resurrections and rematches the good guys were victorious. Well I think they were, I have to confess some of the battles were a little unclear and one or two younger spectators were heard asking parents 'which one is Robin Hood' etc, something most adults couldn't quite answer either. Scheduling seemed to over run a little and the light was unfortunately beginning to dim at the close of this act.

They were followed by an enjoyable and informative demonstration of falconry. Safety officials warned everyone to stand back from the birds of prey and the jousting as children ignored signs and climbed on the barriers. Unfortunately those arriving early to stand at the front were sent back into the stands so that late arrivals could take their places (typical organisational chaos of many such events). Next in the arena were comic duo What A Palaver who calmly reminded everyone that the birds of prey may make off with small children, then noted the number of parents waving their kids over head :o)  We were treated to daring feats of bravery as Rob lay on a bed of nails and invited audience members to stand on his stomach all the time joking and keeping up audience enthusiasm for the day.

The finale of the day was the joust by The Nottingham Jousting Association. The tournament is set between The Sheriff of Nottingham, Guy of Gisburne and another nobleman against Robin Hood (who was a bit late arriving - obviously needed elsewhere in Sherwood), Will Scarlet and Friar Tuck. The show is a wonderful display of their skills mixed with the humour of a drunken Friar Tuck and the scene stealing Sheriff of Nottingham being heckled by the audience.

When the riders called for a ladies favour to joust for I enthusiastically waved the blue silk scarf I had packed in anticipation, only to have it collected for Friar Tuck to carry; much to the amusement of the ladies stood beside me.  The audience was treated to skilled demonstrations at the quintain as well as one on one charges with the lance. The Sheriff was naturally unhappy with any decision by the tournament master to award points to the opposite team or question some of the Sheriffs underhand methods.

Therefore many challenges were made with the audience enthusiastically booing the Sheriff and his men. Unfortunately the failing light made temperatures drop rapidly and some audience members left before the end but the rousing applause firmly supported an excellent day's entertainment.

The Robin Hood Pageant is an event I would always recommend.

Photographs from the 2007 event can be found on the main Robin Hood Pageant page with additional images here and at www.nottinghamcastle.info/rhpageant.htm