Award-winning historical novelist Elizabeth Chadwick comes to Trowbridge!

As part of Trowbridge's Magna Carta celebrations, we invited author Elizabeth Chadwick to the Museum to talk about her work and her all-time hero, William Marshal, who became Regent after King John's death.

Elizabeth visited our "Magna Carta- Game of Barons" exhibition and signed books for her fans after giving her first ever PowerPoint presentation. Well done, Ms Chadwick; we loved having you and look forward to seeing you again the next time you're in the area.

Almost done...

Trowbridge Museum's Magna Carta-Game of Barons exhibition will be taken down after Saturday 25th July to make way for WEFT15, The West of England Festival of Textiles.
But there's no need to be sad, because...

...we are still adding to some of the medieval displays. Newly arrived is an impressive chainmail hauberk, on display opposite the Shop, shortly to be followed by a "gambeson" or padded jacket, which a knight would have worn beneath his chainmail.

You can also see a crossbow, short-handled battle-axe, dagger and flanged mace, and discover how these would have been used in medieval warfare.
We are hoping to continue borrowing the magnificent maquette of Henry de Bohun from Canterbury Museums...negotiations are in progress so watch this space.

Horrible Histories, the Magna Carta song

If you haven't seen it yet, you MUST pop over to YouTube to see this delightful Horrible Histories take on Magna Carta and its importance through history.

Lego King John, on display as part of Trowbridge Museum's Magna Carta-Game of Barons exhibition

Magna Carta song

Magna Carta Festival Archery day at Trowbridge Museum

On June 6th 10.30-1.00 and 2.00-3.30, Richard and Philip Head, Master Bowyers (and Fletchers) will be demonstrating at Trowbridge Museum. A bowyer makes bows and a fletcher, arrows. These ancient skills have been resurrected to make weapons for use in films, TV, museums, live action role-play (LARP) and re-enactment as well as archery competitions and sporting events.

Richard Head in his workshop, holding a strung longbow he has crafted

Philip Head, receiving his silver award. He will be at Trowbridge Museum on June 6th as part of our Magna Carta festival

Richard Head in Tudor costume pulling one of his longbows

To find out more about the craft of making longbows and arrows, or to view the online shop, visit http://www.english-longbow.co.uk.

The Barons' occupation of London- a turning point

On May 12th a delegation of Trowbridge dignitaries were invited by London's Lord Mayor to the Mansion House to commemorate a significant event which ultimately brought about the creation of Magna Carta. In 1215, the barons who had risen up in rebellion against King John's rapacious and unjust behaviour took over London. A king could not rule without control of the most important city in the country and John was eventually forced to sue for peace. Magna Carta was essentially a peace treaty, sealed less than a month after the taking of London.

Representatives from Trowbridge at the Mansion House, London, flying the arms of Magna Carta baron Henry de Bohun

Magna Carta for kids

With its emphasis on ancient laws, the rights of the Church and the laity, Magna Carta is a bit of a hard nut to crack for children. So what can go into Trowbridge Museum's exhibition that will be child-friendly?
One of the answers the Assistant Curator came up with was...Lego.
Yes, Lego.

Laying out a medieval formal garden in Lego

First attempt at a medieval garden

Fortunately, Trowbridge Museum has a volunteer who is a Lego expert. He has been rail-roaded into recreating a medieval rural scene, rather loosely based on King John's acceptance of Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215. It is also fortunate that Lego produced a set of construction toys called Knights' Kingdom, a good source of minifigures to play the part of King John's disloyal barons.

Blacksmith's forge and water wheel

It just so happened that the Assistant Curator had bought a Knights' Kingdom set featuring a blacksmith (and a chicken. Why a chicken? Apparently this is quite a rare Lego piece), so this can fit into the background. There is also a castle planned for the backdrop, just a little one.

Medieval garden from above

Work is now underway to construct some kind of temporary building for Lego King John to sit in as he affixes his seal to Magna Carta. Not as easy as one might think, and there are quite a few barons to fit in, not to mention, horses, retinues, tents, interested peasants...

King John NOT signing Magna Carta-he accepted it by attaching the Royal Seal

Look what's coming! A life size model of Henry de Bohun, Lord of the Manor of Trowbridge, all the way from its home in Canterbury. Work will begin soon on displaying this splendid gentleman- so watch this space!

And another STOP PRESS STOP PRESS! The Assistant Curator has just learned that the Lord Lieutenant for Wiltshire will be opening the exhibition on Magna Carta, Game of Barons on 28th February. No pressure then...

There may be a need to sample of some of the medieval drink brought in specially for the exhibition opening. Strictly to make sure it passes muster, of course.

Whilst the Assistant Curator struggles against a busy work schedule to knock the exhibition into shape, things are moving fast on Trowbridge's other Magna Carta events. The Trowbridge in Bloom competition will feature displays of blue and yellow flowers to echo the colours of the de Bohun family coat-of-arms. Lord of the Manor of Trowbridge, Henry de Bohun, was pivotal in the creation of Magna Carta and in ensuring the terms therein were adhered to by King John.

The Assistant Curator surfing the net for a nice craftsman to borrow some medieval replicas from. She finds Richard Head of Melksham who makes bows, arrows, bucklers, daggers and innumerable wonderful things.

Hector Cole, the skilled blacksmith whose work will feature in our Magna Carta exhibition, has just received an M.B.E. in the Queen's New Year Honours list. We are absolutely delighted for Hector and feel even more privileged that we will be able to display some of his work this spring!

STOP PRESS! STOP PRESS!
Trowbridge Museum has just had a visit from the President of the Magna Carta Barons Association. He seemed particularly amused at the idea of us recreating the setting for the sealing of the Magna Carta in Lego. If anyone from the company sees this blog, we could really use a donation of grey bricks...

Magna Carta- Game of Barons

What links a powerful medieval baron, a Bad King, a Lego castle and two local craftsmen? 

Not sure? Well, it's Trowbridge Museum's 

exhibition on Magna Carta, 

February 28th to July 25th 

2015.

To find out how we go about putting together a major exhibition like this, just follow this blog and witness the trials and torments of an Assistant Curator and her colleagues...

Blacksmith Hector Cole (as seen on TV!) pumping the bellows at his forge in Little Somerford, Wiltshire.
http://www.evado.co.uk/Hector%20Cole/index.html


Some of Hector's fantastic pieces will be on display for the duration of the exhibition, as part of the Museum's aim to bring the Magna Carta story to life.

So, how does a museum go about re-creating the feel of the early Thirteenth Century? Watch this space!

The Education Officer and a volunteer,

pondering on the amount of damage a

battleaxe could do to their enemies...