HISTORY fans are being offered the chance to go back in time at a Mediaeval Fair held in one of the county's castles.

The fair is being held in Worcestershire County Museum, based at Hartlebury Castle, on Sunday, November 18.

The event will be set in the grounds and galleries of the museum, and will also extend into the great hall of the ancient castle.

Visitors can expect to see displays of knightly combat by organisation Duelling Times, which will include knights in Agincourt battle armour armed with swords, daggers and quarter staffs.

The display will be complemented by John Colborne playing original lute music.

Visitors can also watch or join in a host of activities which will be running throughout the day.

"Craftsmen will be making candles, gilding the gingerbread and making elegant cone hats," said a spokesman for the organisers.

"Eric the blacksmith will be forging mediaeval implements and Ced the carpenter will be demonstrating how to use a pole lathe.

"And for those really wanting to get into the mediaeval spirit, there will be a display on hunting with birds of prey while the Orchard Caf will be serving up dishes typical of the period."

The fair is being held to mark the links between Hartlebury Castle and the royal manor at Tickenhill.

Both have sparkling pasts and have entertained royalty on a number of occasions.

King Edward I stayed at Hartlebury Castle en route to suppress the Welsh revolt in 1282, and it became the permanent residence for the bishops of Worcester in the 19th Century.

Part of the castle was taken over for the County Museum in 1966.

Tickenhill Manor, near Bewdley, was the venue for the wedding of Prince Arthur of Wales and Katherine of Aragon in 1499, and it later became the residence for Prince Henry of Wales, elder brother of Charles I.

The fair is open from 1pm to 5pm at the museum, which is just off the A449 near Kidderminster.

Admission is £2.50 for adults and £1.20 for children and OAPs while a family ticket is £6.50.