Music and feasting mark Tudor tradition

Mary Arden's Farm, once the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother, will again be transformed into a hive of activity for its spectacular Tudor Festival.

The festival, which takes place from Saturday May 29 to Monday May 31, will transport visitors back to the 16th century for live music, dancing, feasting, archery, games, falconry and a range of traditional cookery and crafts.

Now in its second year, the festival promises to be a real insight into Tudor life, with the farm playing host to a village set in 1573 and featuring a traditional handfasting ceremony (similar to a modern day engagement party). For the event, the farm will envelop guests in the hustle and bustle of a Tudor community. Period interpreters and re-enactors from around the UK will take part.

The handfasting ceremony between Thomasine Palmer and Myles Bird, will be seen across all three days of celebration. Thomasine is the daughter of Master and Mistress Palmer, who live next door to the Arden family, at Palmer's Farm.

In addition, there will be a display of traditional crafts, skills and activities with authentic characters to chat to, many based on the local families from the village of Wilmcote at the time.

Tudor musicians, who have performed at Shakespeare's Globe, the Golden Hinde and Hampton Court, will entertain the crowds with authentic tunes. There will be dancing, as well as 'Mummers' to watch, while visitors soak up the atmosphere.

A leading Tudor archery expert will be on site all weekend performing demonstrations and giving onlookers the chance to have a go with the longbow and shoot a traditional earth butt or hanging 'popinjay' (a bird or a Spaniard usually).

Food and ale would have been at the heart of any Tudor event, so a whole cross section of dishes will be cooked in the authentic kitchen and outdoors over an open fire. Visitors can enjoy a hog roast and watch dishes being prepared like pottage (stew/soup), perrey of peason (mushy peas), egardouce of coney, (sweet and sour rabbit), sodde eggs (eggs in mustard sauce) and brye tartte (cheese tart).

During the Tudor period, Warwickshire was a huge wool area and over the weekend there will be plenty of carding and spinning, using wool from Mary Arden's very own sheep.

The resident Tudors will be showcasing plants which will be used to make natural dyes and visitors will be able to learn about remedies and treatments for common ailments in the Still Room.

Tickets to the farm are valid for a year, so visitors can go back again for free. Visit www.shakespeare.org.uk for more information.