Living History: Candlemas Residency @ Weald & Downland Living Museum

Step back in time this winter as we welcome back the Black Knight Historical Living History Team for their second Candlemas Residency at the Museum. This immersive medieval living history experience offers visitors a rare glimpse into life during the 15th century, as people endured the long, cold winter months while looking forward to spring’s return.

Living in the Past at North Cray Medieval House

For nine days, the Black Knight team will inhabit North Cray Medieval House, dressing and furnishing it as it may have appeared in 1462. They will demonstrate how a late medieval household survived winter, when the sun is low, the cold creeps into your bones, and yet, daily work must go on.

Visitors can watch as the team:

• Cooks, sleeps, and lives authentically within the house.
• Undertakes winter tasks such as mending, ditch digging, and hedge cutting.
• Performs daily prayers and observes medieval feast days.
• Demonstrates crafts and skills used to keep homes running through the harsh winter.

The group will “detox” from modern technology, focusing instead on wellbeing through rhythm, reflection, and faith, just as our ancestors might have done during the darker months.