Bring me my Broadsword...

I remember a former work colleague and ex Tamworthian who assured me that Tamworth was indeed once the capital of England. Naturally this drew scoffs and sniggers from those who thought that Tamworth was only famous for Reliant Robins . What Dave meant was that in the depths of the 'Dark Ages' our modest town was the seat of no less a person than the Saxon King Offa (he of dyke fame). As Offa's kingdom of Mercia was (at that time) the largest in England,  by default, Tamworth could be considered the main town in Saxon England. Lofty claims aside, Tamworth was certainly a significant Saxon town, and recently a huge horde of beautiful gold Saxon treasure was unearthed in a field not far from Tamworth.

 This weekend was the August bank holiday, and to celebrate there was a Saxon festival held in Tamworth. A small army of cheery reeanctors descended upon the town to recreate the sound, sights (thankfully not the smells) of ninth century Mercia. There were demonstrations a plenty, from archery and storytelling to battles and burial rites. The climax being a shieldwall battle between the men of Mercia lead by plucky Queen Ethelfeleda against the dastardly Danes fighting under the Raven banner.

   In a couple of weeks CAMRA hold the annual Tamworth beer festival and no doubt Beowulf Breweries will be sporting some suitably themed ales (mmmm - Dragon Smoke Stout!). So grab a drinking horn of ale and raise a rousing toast of Wassail!