Full details have been unveiled for one of the biggest-ever weekends of visitor events at Linlithgow Palace.
Party at the Palace, a key part of the national
Homecoming celebrations, takes place on 23 and 24 May and will be an extravaganza
of entertainment and fun based round events at Scotland's royal court in
1503.
It was a year in which Scotland celebrated
the marriage of King James IV to Margaret Tudor and the signing of the Treaty
of Perpetual Peace with England.
Each day will start with a horseback procession in which a cavalcade of up to 10 mounted knights in armour
will escort King James and his new queen along Linlithgow High Street to the
palace.
They will be accompanied by dozens of
courtiers and the followers of four great noble families whose champions will
then take part in spectacular jousting.
Nick Finnigan, Historic Scotland events and
filming manager, said: "We hope this will be a truly memorable weekend
full of medieval colour and spectacle - and will recall the days when
Scotland's kings and queens were frequent visitors to their great palace
in Linlithgow.
"This is one of the largest events
Historic Scotland has ever staged and will include more than 120 costumed
performers.
"There will be lots to do and see
with jesters, poets, storytellers, musicians, dancers, falconers and cooks
filling the palace.
"There will even be an alchemist
trying to turn ordinary metals into gold, and an etiquette tutor who will teach
young visitors what to do and say if they bump into the king and queen."
And there's every chance of that
happening as James introduces his bride to her subjects and they walk the
grounds and watch the tournament held in their honour.
There will be two sessions of horseback
jousting each day, plus a display of falconry.
The outdoor activities will come to a
climax each afternoon when up to 80 foot warriors will gather in the main arena
and do battle to decide which great clan will be the tournament champions.
The clans fighting it out will be the:
● Campbells
● Lindsays
● Douglases
● Hamiltons
All were powerful and influential in the
early 16th century, and constantly struggling for supremacy and
doing all they could to gain royal favour.
Each clan will have its own tented camp
where visitors can meet the nobles, soldiers and their followers and discover
what life would have been like in 1503.
Inside the palace children will be able to
help bakers knead the dough for fresh bread to be served to the king and queen
when they arrive for a meal.
Another special feature will be that the
King's Fountain, a 5m tall masterpiece of Renaissance architecture
located in the palace courtyard, will be made to flow.
● Small
flags will be available on the day with the coats of arms of each clan taking
part in the tournament so visitors can show who they support.
● Party
at the Palace is part of Historic Scotland's contribution to the Scottish
Government's 2009 Year of Homecoming and is part-funded by Homecoming
Scotland 2009.
Estimated timings
● Parade starts
- 12.30pm from Low Port Centre, along the High Street to the palace.
● Jousting -
1.15pm and 3pm.
● Foot tournament
- 4pm.
● King touring the
palace from around 2pm to 3pm.
● All other
activities will be running throughout the afternoon from 12.30pm to 5pm.
TicketsTickets for the Party at the Palace are adults £12.00, concession
£9.50, children £6.00. There is a 10% online booking discount. Family tickets
also available. There is a 50% discount available for Historic Scotland
members. For further details visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/v1/index/shop.htm.
● The King's Fountain, probably Britain's
oldest working fountain, was among the most elaborate of its time. It flows out
of eight spouts which are set into carved figures of mythical beasts including
a griffin and a giant. It suffered repeated damage over the centuries including
from Covenanters who saw it as a symbol of the Popish splendour. Restoration
work, which began in 2003, was carried out by Historic Scotland using
traditional stone and the skills of some of the UK's finest stonemasons.
● Linlithgow Palace is in Linlithgow off the M9.
Telephone 01506 842896. Usual ticket prices are £5.20 for adults, £4.20
concessions and £2.60 for children.