IT’S TIME to pledge allegiance and choose a side as The War of The Roses returns to Warwick Castle.
Brave knights and a fearless Queen charge at each other on horse back with lances, foot soldiers clash swords and a brutal tale told as the crowds cheer on the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
And at the very heart of it all lies Warwick Castle, or namely the Earl of Warwick, who played a pivotal role in the conflict.
I, like many at the time, was forced to support the side of my family’s choosing – my son decided we would throw our support behind the House of Lancaster headed by Queen Margaret of Anjou and later Henry Tudor.
But regardless of whether you are a white rose or a red rose it is hard not to be amazed by the trick-riding stunts and jousting shown from the Knights of Middle England in both houses.
Away from the jousting the Legend of the Trebuchet is back and tells the tale of expert Sam gathering a rag-tag group together to protect Warwick Castle from the Yorkists and their cannon.
The crowds, sat on the bank of the River Avon, were treated to cannon fire, a galloping horse and heartfelt acting from the shows team.
The Falconer’s Quest show is always a crowd-pleaser and sees large audiences gather at the Riverside Arena.
The birds of prey, as always, put on a brilliant display and the Harris Hawks and Peregrine Falcon, who swooped low over our heads, were deemed ‘pretty awesome’ by my eldest – a phrase which is not granted lightly.
For my youngest Zog and Princess Pearl were crowned champions of the day.
With the live show, the Quest for the Golden Star trail, a meeting with the dragon himself and of course the park there is lots for a pre-schooler to do to give their energy levels a hit.
The Castle itself has plenty to offer with exhibitions to look at and to find out more about the crucial role it has played in its 955-year long history.
