Staff at The Manor House Museum, known in medieval times at Bromwic Hall, off Hall Green Road, West Bromwich are getting ready to welcome historical interpretation group Buckingham’s Retinue as part of national Heritage Open Days on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a peep into the late medieval period, we now call ‘The Wars of the Roses’, with a medieval encampment.

There’ll be lots of activities for visitors to see and do well as get involved with, including joining in with music and dance of the period and learning at first-hand about medieval weapons, pastimes, and medicine.

Mark Hewitt, a member of the Buckingham’s Retinue, said: “Visitors can learn about arms and armour and have the opportunity to experience them ‘hands-on’.

“Younger visitors can join in the soldiers’ drilling and see a medieval knight as he is ‘armed up’ by his servants before going into battle, and a display with swords and pole axes as well as learn about early guns and canon.”

Those who prefer a more genteel life can enjoy music and dancing, try their hand at playing some medieval games, learn about food and find out what  people who lived at the Manor House 600 years ago may have worn.

There’s also the opportunity to visit a medieval surgeon who, aided by an array of herbs and surgical instruments will talk about medical practices of the time, the medieval view of the world that supported them and explain how these may (or may not) relate to modern scientific views.

Inside the Manor House, free guided tours will be on offer so visitors can learn more about the fabulous 13th century building and enjoy a talk by local historian Ian Bott.

Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people to travel way back into the past and learn what life was like long ago as well as having a great free day out with loads to see, do and get involved with.”

The events at the Manor House Museum in Hall Green Road are free and run both days from 11am-3pm.