Arts & Science Activities

A hand holds a stick of glass into a flame. There are more sticks of various colours on the table below and to the right.

A selection of braids of different colours and styles in an artistic heap.

Fingerloop Braiding

Learn fingerloop braiding with the Noble Kay of Lincoln and produce your own multicoloured braids in a variety of patterns using this period technique!

Suitable for beginners and returning braiders. You require two working hands, but both hands do not need to belong to the same person!

Glass bead making

Make striking Viking glass beads with Órlaith Ildánach, our expert glass worker!

Thanks to Órlaith's generosity, this rolling session will run for most of the day. If you would like to make a bead, it take about 15-20 minutes, so pop down when you can! Whilst only one person can make a bead at a time, anyone is welcome to go along and watch.

Attendees should bring their own chairs.

A flame emerges from a the nozzle of a bunsen burner. Two sticks with glass are held in the flame, and a bead is being made. A hand holds those sticks and is visible on the right of the photo.

Credit: Ingvar Grahok.

Hook and eye fasteners

Come and learn how brass sheet can be shaped into fasteners for cloaks and other garments with Lord Ingvar. There will be chance to have a go and take your own fastener away with you. There will be a limit of 8-10 people for the practical element, but anyone is welcome to watch the session! If you would like to have a go and already own a needle file you can bring, please bring it with you

Ropes and Knots

Learn to work with rope and tie secure, period knots with Maredudd ap Gwylim.

Starting from twine, we will make a length of rope using a rope-walk constructed to match various medieval images, then learn how to finish the ends with splices, followed by a selection of knots likely to be useful for campers.

Suitable for all.

A scene from Maredudd's encampment at St Bede's Fair showing a number of ropes and knots in its set up. There is bunting in the background, a flag flying and part of a decorated throne.

Credit: Becca Edney

Gold cloth is folded on a layer of green cloth. A pair of medieval tailor's scissors sit across both cloths. Henric's mark is on the left of the image.

Garb Repair

Is your garb getting a bit worn around the edges? Does something need patching, darning, reinforcing or re-sewing, but either you don't know how or you keep putting it off? Come sit down with Henric van den Casteele and the Household of the Bent Thimble and repair your garb!

Scribal Workshop

Learn about all things scribal with the Viscountess Valda ingen Cháemgein, scribe and member of the Ordo Cygni, also known as the Company of the Swan. Valda will share her tips for calligraphy and illumination.

A beautiful illumination of three cats, based on a period image, from a recent scroll by Valda.

Credit: Viscountess Valda ingen Cháemgein

A slightly disturbing historic drawing of a bird dribbling mead from its beak into a bowl. It's also producing some kind of mead-esque substance from the rear. Just don't ask, OK?!

So you want to make Mead?

Come and learn all about mead making with Meliton!

Suitable for all who wish to attend. If the class is over-subscribed, we can't guarantee you'll leave with mead started!

Bring a chair and a 1L re-sealable plastic bottle.

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