Barnet Medieval Festival becoming a premier event in Wars of the Roses celebrations – and a fun day out for the whole family

Mock battles with weapons made from foam were one of the highlights for children attending the annual Barnet Medieval Festival at its new and enlarged site on farmland in Galley Lane.

A range of inter-active attractions for youngsters of all ages – including training for jousts on the battlefield, fencing, archery and axe throwing – reinforced the festival’s appeal as a popular family fun day out and an engaging community event.

After a record participation among military re-enactors and medieval traders — and the best-ever attendance — the festival organisers are already thinking ahead to 2026.

Barnet is well on the way towards establishing its festival as a premier event in the calendar of Wars of the Roses celebrations.

Crowds lined the event field for a packed programme including the much-anticipated re-enactments of the Battle of St Albans (1461) and – see above – the Battle of Barnet (1471).

Almost 500 re-enactors representing 40 different households and military companies – some from as far afield as Devon and Scotland – were brought together by the Wars of the Roses Federation.

Displays of medieval firepower were another of the highlights.

Master gunner Ben Godden, who was the compere for the display, and his wife Linda Godden, the festival event co-ordinator from the House of Bayard, were delighted to be back in Barnet after the cancellation of last year’s festival due to waterlogged ground.

“This has easily been the best ever festival,” said Linda.

“We can all see how popular it’s become. We had a very good crowd even when we had a little rain on Saturday but the turn out all day on Sunday was a record.

“We are all looking forward to next year already.”

For travelling players Myal Pyper – who kept the crowds entertained with medieval music – their second visit to Barnet had exceeded their expectations.

“We thought the atmosphere was wonderful the first time we came, but this year it’s been even more enjoyable.

“What is so special is that people come up and ask such interesting questions which makes it all worthwhile.

“It’s obviously a great community event as so many people seem to know each other and are busy chatting away and enjoying the day out.”

Another popular re-enactor away from the battlefield in the medieval campsite was Flossie, a 14^th century warrener, who was looking after two ferrets to send down rabbit warrens.

Her two ferrets – Filthy and Grunt – had no shortage of admirers.

Flossie (in real life Felicity Pattenden from Norwich) said rabbit ferreters would have accompanied a medieval army and hunted as they went along to provide them with a supply of meat and fur.

Probably the youngest medieval re-enactor was 15-month-old Zina – from the 3^rd company of Tudors — with her parents Eleri and Alex from Wolverhampton, who were enjoying a rest in their tent.

Zina was dressed in a linen shift over a double-sided linen kirtle; Eleri was wearing a linen shift with kirtle and a linen bonnet; and Alex was wearing split-leg hose, linen shift and skull cap.

“In Tudor times Alex would have been in the fighting force, and I would have been considered a camp follower, one of the women who looked after the men,” said Eleri.

Two re-enactors taking a well-deserved rest in a nobleman’s tent were Steve, a medieval archer, and Marion, who were from the Plymouth Medieval Society.

“It’s our first time in Barnet. It has been a really well organised festival with plenty of space for all the medieval tents. We do hope to be back next year.”

For farmers Daniel and Fiona Lewis – proprietors of Lewis of London Ice Cream at Fold Farm – hosting their first medieval festival had been a great experience and they too were looking ahead to think how it might be expanded and improved.

“This is a great event for the military re-enactors with lots of space for their displays, tents and activities,” said Daniel.

“We have loved seeing how much fun it is for the youngsters, training to be knights and then having a go in the battlefield. Wherever you looked there was something happening, even everyone having a go at medieval dancing.

“Perhaps in future we could get even more themed events and activities for the children. Another innovation might be more themed food. I really do think the festival has great potential for the future.”

For festival director Dr Susan Skedd there was a sense of mission accomplished.

“It really has been overwhelming to see so many people coming along to the festival and clearly having a wonderful time. It has made it so worthwhile for all the volunteers who put so much into making the festival such a success.”