For a day out, this weekend we decided to head over to Rievaulx Abbey in the North York Moors, as English Heritage had arranged a "Medieval arts and crafts" weekend there - seemed a good excuse for a trip out into the country with friends, and for a little photography practice.

We arrived there fairly early, which had the benefit of there not being many people around - good for photos - and also meant we got to have more of a chat with the historians there. Made for a really interesting day, and the people demonstrating the arts and crafts were both very knowlegeable and very passionate about what they were demonstrating.

I was impressed at their dedication to the cause - they actually camp out and sleep there over the weekend, living the medieval life (no nine-to-five job this!) - and also jealous - they have access to the abbey once the public have left - not only making photos without people easier, but also meaning they have access to it when the light is at it's best at sunrise/sunset!

Anyway, here's the photos (kinda wish i'd taken more now as i'm pleased with the results!) - and thanks to the people who posed / we talked to!

The camp

The Camp

Preparing a meal - shelling freshly harvested peas. In the foreground are also two medieval rat/mouse traps, the young lad had set them overnight, but was disapointed to find them triggered but empty in the morning (i'd put money on mum/dad setting them off so they dont have to deal with dead rodent before breakfast!)

Pea-shelling detail

A lovely lady who taught us all about Medieval Book-binding.

Medieval Musicians

Sounded a bit like a vuvuzela :-)

Demonstration of Medieval pottery - the wheel was spun around with the stick to pick up speed

A Jug made by the potter the previous day - dried in the sun and awaiting firing

Medieval cookery. I suspect this was supposed to be an omlette, given the declaration "it's a bit more like scrambled egg!

Weaving cords for tying clothing

Preparing a meal

A mock fight as part of story-telling. In blue is St. George, in red, a lowly horse theif

Again, as part of the story telling - the horse theif's daughter grieves

Again, as part of the story telling - St George consoles the daughter by offering his hand in marriage!

Medieval villagers and modern day visitors watch the story telling