The 2009 Polish Cultural Festival came to a climax on Leith Links with members of Scotland's Medieval community coming from all across Scotland to demonstrate the crafts, music and costumes of the ages. Polish food and wine was on hand in plenty as people of all ages watched tournaments and combat reenactments and kid joined in a melee.
<<< previous page on Leith & North
Left <<<: A squad of pikemen holding off a group of
swordsmen. Right >>>: Jon Hamilton of Medieval Clydesdale with skins, arrows and tapestry
Various Medievalist groups from all over Scotland, turned out to entertain and educate the crowds. Reenectment groups included Medieval Realm and Swords of Dalriada, while Medieval Cydesdale and Lanark Medieval Festival demonstrated many of the old crafts and skills, and showed that they can be kept alive today.
Left <<<: Guthrie Stewart demonstrate
pewter moulding.Right >>>: What it looks like: a proposal of marriage (accepted, phew!)
Left <<<: The tournament winner in semi-final action.Right >>>: Tournament winner Ben Halliwell with the gauntlets made by Maciej Kotlarz.
Some 40 knights took place in a solo tournament which ran throughout the day. Points were awarded for hits to different parts of the body, with the amassing of 10 points needed to secure victory. Each bout had three referees circling the combat to award points and ensure the safety of the combatants. The final was fought betwee Alistair Kirk and the eventual winner, Ben Halliwell, who won a pair of gauntlets made by Polish armourer Maciej Kotlarz..
<<< previous page on Leith & North
Lanark Medieval Festival web site >>>
Medieval Realm Reenactment Group web site >>>
Swords of Dalriada Reenactment Group web site >>>
Gaita medieval music web site >>>
Medieval Clydesdale web site>>>
Armoursmith Maciej Kotlarz's web site (built in Flash) >>>
Cut out artist Malgorzata Belkiewicz's web site (English version) >>>
