See information about Mediaeval Style Themed Weddings below
Even before Edward I rebuilt it around 1277-1282, Ruthin Castle is recorded as an important strategic Welsh fortress of wood and stone and there is no doubt that Ruthin was very much at the centre of the ferociously stormy mediaeval history between England and Wales, frequently changing hands amongst Nobles and Monarchy. One of its first residents was Reginald de Grey, formerly the very Sheriff of Nottingham charged with raising the 'finest army in the land' to defeat the outlaw Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. The castle later withstood many a siege including that by the Welsh rebel, Owain Glyndwr in 1400 before eventually falling in 1647 to the Parliamentary forces ('roundheads') in the civil war.
Today
the ancient dungeon still survives together with the whipping pit
and drowning pool and it is against this background of chivalry and
valour that Ruthin Castle became the first in Britain to start hosting
themed mediaeval banquets. Now it regularly opens its great oak gates
and welcomes visitors to enjoy the authentic mediaeval experience.
The evening starts with an accompanied tour of sections of the 13th century walls, dungeon, whipping pit and drowning pool (only by pre-arrangement & subject to availability at an extra charge of £3.00 per person with a minimum of 10 people) for those who wish, followed by an introduction in the Presence Chamber where all guests assemble prior to the banquet. Fully costumed Ladies of the Court and the Court Steward and Herald then lead guests into the Banquet Hall where they entertain, sing, jest and lead the evening's feasting with dagger and fingers... accompanied by mead from clay cups and wine in pewter goblets. Guests can also wear costume if they choose (including hiring them by advance arrangement).
Medieval
Costume Hire from The Costume Company (links open in new browser window)
Note: Ruthin Castle customers receive FREE costume delivery to the venue.
| Sample Menu | Vegetarian Menu | |
|---|---|---|
| First | Thick Vegetable Soup | Fruit Juice or Thick Vegetable Soup |
| Second | Welsh lamb roasted in herbs and spices | Golden Vegetable Casserole with Herb Dumpling |
| Third | Half a young chicken roasted in honey & oranges with mixed salad and a jacket potato | Root Vegetable & Cheese Pastie served with Homemade Chutney, Jacket Potato and Salad |
| Fourth | Fruit Crumble | Fruit Crumble |
Mead and wine are served with the meal
Coffee is served after the entertainment
| Mediaeval Banquet Rates 2010 |
|---|
|
Traditional Mediaeval Banquet*£41.50 (Payable in advance) Price includes a 4-course meal, a toast drink of Celtic Mead, all the wines and entertainment in Mediaeval style. 2010 DATES FOR MEDIAEVAL BANQUETS
CALL 01824 702664 TO BOOK YOUR PLACE ON A BANQUET TUESDAY 3 AUGUST SATURDAY 14 AUGUST SATURDAY 21 AUGUST SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER WEDNESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT PARTY NIGHT DATES THROUGHOUT DECEMBER ALSO SEE CHRISTMAS BROCHURE FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER *** MORE 2011 DATES TO BE CONFIRMED SOONSATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY
PLEASE SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR 2011 MURDER MYSTERY DATES **************************************************************** Mediaeval Murder Mystery Nights*£44.00 Children 11 years and under £20.00 (Payable in advance) Price includes a 4-course Meal, a toast drink of Celtic Mead, all the Wines and entertainment in Mediaeval Style with the added twist of an intriguing Murder Mystery for you to solve. As an option why not be one of the cast? Use your detective skills and figure out whodunnit! For available dates please call the bookings line below. Advance bookings are essential. Please be aware that the Murder Mystery events run on set dates through the year. 2010 MEDIAEVAL MURDER MYSTERY DATESFRIDAY 20 AUGUST FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER ***** 2011 MEDIAEVAL MURDER MYSTERY DATESSATURDAY 29 JANUARY SATURDAY 12 FEBRUARY SATURDAY 12 MARCH FRIDAY 25 MARCH FRIDAY 15 APRIL SATURDAY 30 APRIL FRIDAY 13 MAY SATURDAY 28 MAY SATURDAY 22 JUNE FRIDAY 1 JULY FRIDAY 15 JULY FRIDAY 19 AUGUST FRIDAY 26 AUGUST FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER
FURTHER DATES CAN BE ADDED PROVIDING WE MANAGE TO SELL THE MINIMUM 40 SEATS REQUIRED TO STAGE A BANQUET. PLEASE CALL FOR INFORMATION. PRIVATE DATES CAN BE ADDED FOR PARTIES OF 70+ SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY *** DECEMBER'PARTY NIGHTS' £44.00A December Party Night consists of a Yuletide themed Mediaeval Banquet followed by a disco afterwards.FRIDAY 3 DECEMBER SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER FRIDAY 10 DECEMBER SATURDAY 11 DECEMBER FRIDAY 17 DECEMBER SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS EVE FRIDAY 24 DECEMBER (NO DISCO) NEW YEAR'S EVE FRIDAY 31 DECEMBER £67.50 If you are interested in booking a group and you do not see a date which suits you, additional dates may be introduced. Please enquire.
Mediaeval Banquet Afternoon Teas* £9.50 including Mediaeval Entertainment (minimum of 20 people) For a well earned touring stop off, a gathering or even a function with a difference, why not try our charming Mediaeval Banquet afternoon teas? Served within the banquet hall which leads through the presence chamber and onto our courtyard, dungeons and gardens. It is an ideal setting for a relaxing, traditional favourite with Ruthin Castle's very own twist! |
| To Book |
|---|
| Advance bookings are essential. |
| Refunds and Cancellations |
|---|
| Deposits/advance payments cannot be refunded, though we will always
try to re-sell your tickets. * Advance bookings are required and minimum numbers may also be requested. Please contact the number above to arrange your banquet option. |
MEDIAEVAL STYLE THEMED WEDDINGS One of the options available to couples getting married at Ruthin Castle is to enjoy a Mediaeval Banquet Wedding during which guests can join in the fun and perhaps choose to dress in Mediaeval Costume (Please see Costume Company link below).
Celebrate your union by enjoying the authentic flavour of mediaeval living, quaff wine from the pewter goblets and mead from clay cups and eat a nourishing four-course mediaeval meal with a dagger. Be entertained by the harp music and the singing of the Ladies of the Court,
who are watched over by the jealous eyes of the Court Steward.
For more information about Themed Weddings at Ruthin Castle in North Wales, please use the links below to download the various brochures comprising our Themed Wedding Pack.
Please note that you will need the free Adobe Acrobat plug-in to view the files below. If you don't have the free plug-in, you can download it from Adobe.
Wedding Ceremony Notes
(12KB)
Costume Company details (148KB)
Seating plan for 122 guests (6KB)
Seating plan for 80 guests (6KB)
