2019 saw the 800th anniversary of the death of William Marshall, often called England’s Greatest Knight. We celebrated his life with music from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, reenactment, and recreations of musical scenes from his life. The weather was brilliant, and this really was a festival to remember!
It was our biggest festival to date by far, with an unrivalled lineup of musicians from France and the UK.
Ensemble Céladon enthralled with their virtuosic programmes of troubadour and trouvere music
Joglar were pure magic - these two really carried the audience away to a castle chamber, 800 years ago.
The beautiful sounds of Maiden in the Moor were another hit.
The Household are a simply brilliant reenactment group who did so much to conjure the sights and sounds of the twelfth century over the festival weekend.
It was our biggest ever Luthiers Gallery (and has not yet been beaten).
The Castle Stages were as lively as ever - here are Maranella entertaining the throng!
The Festival Choir is now a regular feature of MMitD - usually led by the ever-popular Richard de Winter.
Loved this picture taken by the Yorkshire Post! Gill, Paul and Richard of Trouvere rocking the 'wandering minstrel' vibe...
This was one of our recreated scenes from the life of William Marshall. Here he sings on the night before a tournament so that his fellow knights and ladies could dance.
The festival culminated in a reenactment of the funeral procession for the Marshall - really rather moving, as we sang a trouvere song in praise of the Virgin as we marched.
Part of the funeral procession for William Marshall.
Bagpipe by Paul Martin,
Pall bearers from The Household.