Children get crossbow training at Tower of London and party ‘day and knight’ like it’s 1445

Schoolchildren are being ‘recruited’ to learn how to shoot straight with a crossbow by yeomen at the Tower of London.

Knight and day... ready for battle in Tower of London moat. Picture: Richard Lea-Hair - Credit: Richard Lea-Hair

Brave knights are going head-to-head in fearsome sword-fighting combat in Medieval merriment returning to The Tower for another annual summer jousting, from today till Monday.

Kids can even have a go at firing a real crossbow and get a closer look at the impressive swords used by the heroic knights, as well as trying on the opulent styles of Margaret of Anjou’s fashionable court.

The family festival re-imagines the world of 1445 as England celebrates the coronation of Queen Margaret, bride to King Henry VI.

The historic dry moat has been transformed into a medieval court fit for royalty, filled with the scents, sights and sounds of open fires, live cookery and stories of lavish feasts.

Cutting edge in Medieval and Tudor weaponry. Picture: Richard Lea-Hair - Credit: Richard Lea-Hair

It is also displaying skills of craftsmen such as armourers and has demonstrations of coin-minting and striking coins.

Activities at Go Medieval at The Tower are 10am to 5pm each day, but families can also continue inside the castle walls to see the Crown Jewels, the Beefeaters—and of course the legendary ravens who must never fly away if The Tower is not to fall.