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.

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

Massive coup for Trowbridge Museum's Magna Carta festival- a talk by historical novelist Elizabeth Chadwick

Coming to Trowbridge Museum in July- award-winning, best-selling author Elizabeth Chadwick! Elizabeth will talk about  her work and her medieval hero of the Magna Carta era, William Marshal. There will be a book-signing after the talk open to all-comers but the talk itself will be a ticket only event so book soon to avoid disappointment! Contact katherine.white@trowbridge.gov.uk or call 01225 751339.

And the Magna Carta exhibits just keep on coming...

You can't walk through Trowbridge Town Centre at the moment without seeing a "Trowbridge, Magna Carta Baron Town" poster. The town has really embraced the history of their Magna Carta hero, Henry de Bohun, and the recent conference on the subject attracted hundreds of people.

Our current exhibition, "Magna Carta- Game of Barons" now features some new exhibits produced by local U3A members. There is bunting showing the devices of a number of barons appointed to ensure the terms of Magna Carta were carried out (note Henry de Bohun's distinctive blue shield), a banner representing medieval Trowbridge and its baron,a wonderful medieval lady with her sewing and a sword and shield for the life-size maquette of Henry de Bohun.

Pop over and visit the Museum in the Mall (The Shires, Trowbridge). We aim to be fun, friendly and, best of all, we are most certainly FREE!

Medieval Laverstock jug

Trowbridge Museum is now displaying discoveries from not one, but TWO former royal palaces, both used by the Plantagenet kings, both visited by King John, the monarch forced to agree to Magna Carta. One is Ludgershall Castle, once home of William Marshal's father John, which became a royal hunting lodge. The other is Clarendon Palace, where John's father Henry II produced the "Constitutions of Clarendon", designed to reduce the power of the Church in England. This led to his great falling-out with Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was later murdered.

The key is also on loan from Salisbury Museum, and comes from Old Sarum, where the original town and cathedral of Salisbury once stood. The spot was windy and lacking in fresh water and after various quarrels between the Sheriff and the Bishop, it was decided to build a new cathedral on low-lying ground some distance away. The new city sprung up around its cathedral and by 1322 there was little left of any of the buildings at Old Sarum.
The current cathedral is the nearest place where you can see a genuine example of a 1215 Magna Carta. We do, however, have a very good replica at Trowbridge Museum, as part of our Magna Carta Game of Barons exhibition.

Bringing Medieval skills back to life

Another skilled craftsman is contributing to Trowbridge's Magna Carta exhibition (only 3 weeks to go now!). This is Richard Head, of Melksham, who specialises in the production of longbows and many other items used by re-enactors, museums and the media. 

A visit to Richard's website will unearth a fascinating catalogue of medieval and later weaponry, armour and all things archery related. Why not have a look at http://www.english-longbow.co.uk/ ?