Medieval knights at Our City
Children can hunt for gargoyles, design their own coat of arms or dress up in medieval clothing at Our City O-Tautahi as part of the Carter Group Heritage Week (7-14 October).
Our City, the Council facility on the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Oxford Terrace, hosts the Gargoyles in the New World: Christchurch and the Medieval Revival exhibition — focusing on the city’s interest, in both Victorian and modern times, in Medieval architecture and decorative arts.
As part of the exhibition, which runs until the 15th, children will be able to find where Christchurch’s large population of gargoyles and grotesques lurk and learn why they should protect and care for them and the buildings that are their homes.
They can also design their own coat of arms and dress up in medieval heraldic clothing. Beautiful clothing, armour, and everyday items of medieval life will be on display, courtesy of Christchurch medieval reenactment groups, the Barony of Southron Gaard and the Ordo Cygni. School groups can book for this exhibition through Our City O-Tautahi, and activity sheets will be provided.
A highlight of the week will be a real medieval tournament on Saturday (8 Oct) from midday, when the knights of the Barony of Southron Gaard compete on the tourney field under the trees beside the Kate Sheppard memorial.
From 7pm on 9 October, the debating chamber at Our City O-Tautahi will be transformed into a medieval hall and people can enjoy courtly music, dance, delicious medieval food, and a sword-fighting demonstrations by the University of Canterbury’s medieval group, the Ordo Cygni. Those attending are encouraged to wear medieval clothing, but this is not essential. The event is free but numbers are limited so bookings are essential on 365 2486.
- Our City O-Tautahi will be open during Carter GroupHeritage Week from 10am to 4pm. This year’s Heritage Week features more than 140 events. For more information, look online at www.heritageweek.co.nz
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