The Royal Armouries presents a summer of dangerous arts

This summer the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds will be presenting an exciting programme of activities; fun for children and adults alike.

The museum’s Dangerous Arts event programme will give visitors a unique insight into how the Royal Armouries collection is brought to life through combat demonstrations, have-a-go sessions, dramatic performances, collection handling opportunities and museum tours.

As part of the programme the public will be able to meet the specialist craftspeople who make the costumes, leather goods, armour and swords for the museum.

Children can also learn the art of duelling in a fun and interactive workshop, as well as having a go at arts and crafts inspired by objects in the museum’s collections.

Some activities over the summer are inspired by the Royal Armouries latest publication, also titled Dangerous Arts, which explores the artistry of arms and armour, including items from the museum’s collections.

Mark Jackson, Events and Informal Learning Manager, comments: “Our summer activities and events will take visitors on a journey behind-the-scenes at the museum to see the craft that goes into our daily performances to bring the Royal Armouries collection to life.

“There will be plenty to interest and entertain everyone, whether you’re a family looking for child-friendly activities or someone with a special interest in our collection.”

The summer will be rounded off by a weekend of spectacular horse shows, featuring The Winged Hussars, a crack team of fast-riding, sabre-rattling cavalrymen from Poland.

Tickets for The Winged Hussar Horse Shows are available to purchase online, with two shows running daily (12 noon and 3pm) from Saturday 26 August — Monday 28 August.

Summer events will include:

Bringing History to Life

Throughout the summer holidays, the Royal Armouries’ highly skilled interpretation team will give you an insight into the work that goes into interpreting the museum’s collection through their daily gallery performances, demonstrations and talks. Please pick up a daily ‘What’s On’ guide at the museum to find out more.

Swordplay with Style

Mondays & Fridays

Learn the art of the duel in this fun and interactive workshop (child-friendly props and ‘weapons’ will be provided).

Suitable for ages 5 -11 (parental supervision required) / £3.50 / 60 minutes / Book on the day in the museum

Arts & Crafts

Tuesdays to Thursdays

Be inspired by objects in the collection and learn a new craft each week. More details of workshops to follow shortly.

Quick Draw Sessions

Join our drop-in drawing sessions and be inspired by the collection.

Free / All materials provided

Meet the Makers

Wednesdays & Thursdays

Demonstrations of traditional crafts, including workshops with the museum’s costume maker, leather worker, blacksmith and armourer.

To find out more about the programme of events at the Royal Armouries museum visit:

www.royalarmouries.org

www.twitter.com/royal_armouries

Tickets for The Winged Hussar Horse Shows can be purchased at: https://royalarmouries.org/events/calendar/2017-08-26/the-w

The Royal Armouries Dangerous Arts publication is available to purchase online and in the museum shop: https://shop.royalarmouries.org/books-and-dvds/royal-armouries-publications/royal-armouries-publications/dangerous-arts.html

Ends……

Notes to editors

Further enquiries to: Katie Canning, Communications Officer, Royal Armouries at katie.canning@armouries.org.uk Telephone: 0113 220 1978, Mobile: 07810 364571

Entry to the museum is free but some activities carry a small charge.

– Royal Armouries has sites in Leeds, HM Tower of London and Fort Nelson in Hampshire.
– The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds houses a major part of the national collection of arms and armour, and displays over 8,500 objects throughout its five themed galleries.
– Open all year daily, 10am-5pm. Closed 24-26 December
– Website: www.royalarmouries.org
– The Royal Armouries Museum should not be confused with Royal Armouries International plc, the private sector corporate hospitality business based on the same site in Leeds.