Milton Keynes’ biggest ever historical re-enactment comes to Campbell Park on the weekend of 17-18 July.

Cannons exploding into the air, swords clashing at the joust, the drone of a Spitfire circling overhead, while on the ground a riot of sound and colour from storytellers, dancers, musicians, cooks and traders.

Enjoy 2000 years of living history at this fabulous free event in Campbell Park, organised by Heritage MK in partnership with The Parks Trust to celebrate the new city’s 50^th birthday.

PROGRAMME both days

In and around the arena

• Join a fierce skirmish during the 1^st century Roman invasion

• Discover what weaponry the Vikings used and take part in combat and training exercises

• Have a go at Medieval archery, spear and axe throwing, and catapult attacks

• See knights show off their skills in a 14^th century tournament

• Live through the Wars of the Roses during a display of handgonnes, longbow, crossbow and hand to hand combat

• Hear from a Stony Stratford innkeeper how the rightful King Edward V – one of the unfortunate Princes in the Tower – was captured under his roof

• Learn how to dance at the court of the first Queen Elizabeth, to the sweet accompaniment of Tudor drum and bagpipe.

• Experience the sights and sounds of full-scale battle during the English Civil War which set neighbour against neighbour

• Join the scarlet-coated Queen’s Regiment from the early 1700s for drills and a bayonet charge

• Meet Queen Victoria as she reviews the troops and meets her public

• Take the controls in the cockpit of a Spitfire – replica of flying ace Johnnie Johnson’s plane

• Watch the Oxford Home Guard on parade and enjoy wartime melodies from Luna Nightingale

• And DON’T MISS the Battle of Britain Memorial Flypasts by Dakota (Saturday) and Spitfire (Sunday)

PLUS Living History encampments from every age, featuring the chance to watch demonstrations or join in gaming, cooking, butter and breadmaking and printing, mixing paints, leatherwork and carpentry, weapons making and cleaning, spinning, dyeing and weaving, apothecaries and surgeons.

In and around the open air stage

• Live music, dance and storytelling on stage

• Take home a souvenir from our historic marketplace: medieval toys and weapons, handcrafted knives, bonework and jewellery, metalware and pewter brass tools, fire baskets, spoons and buttons, costumes, garlands, Victoriana and much more.

• Visit the Heritage MK partners – Bletchley Park, City Discovery Centre, Cowper and Newton Museum, Living Archive and Milton Keynes Museum – plus members of MK Heritage Association, for a host of interactive displays, heritage films from around MK, activities for all ages and the chance to delve into our dressing up boxes

Refreshment stalls including wood-fired pizza, cold drinks, ice cream and more.

More details being added all the time. Stay up to date with added attractions and event information at www.facebook.com/festivalofhistory #MKfestivalofhistory