Enjoy the worst days out in history
English Heritage is giving visitors a chance to relive the most disgusting and gory bits of history this August with a unique look at the parts others leave out! Could you stomach the sights of medieval surgery or stand the smell of the rat-catchers cart? With a huge selection of truly horrifying and disgusting displays taking place at Dover and Carisbrooke Castles, these events promise to take you through the smelliest, dirtiest and most grisly parts of history that some would rather forget in a celebration of all things gruesome!
Alysha Sargent, South East Events Manager, says: ‘People are always really interested by all the blood and gore from history’s nastiest bits and we’re expecting this event to be really popular. The weekends offer a totally different look at history and give visitors the chance to relive some of the most fascinating parts that are often deemed to be just too gruesome. This one is definitely not to be missed!’
The weekend gives visitors a chance to experience some of the nastiest jobs in history first hand. From emptying the noblemen’s guarderobes to digging out the sewers there are plenty of disgusting roles to keep everyone entertained. Perhaps you’ll meet Mudlark the Victorian Gong Scourer who wades through the endless muck and sewage to look for hidden gems. Despite the smell, this job often brought in more money than a banker would earn.
Visitors with a strong stomach can help Mudlark look for such jewels in our very own ‘safe’ sewerage trench. Watch out for Zebediah the rat-catcher who’ll be on the look out for any pesky vermin and selling them to the highest bidder as a tasty treat.
Feeling a bit queasy over the thought of all that muck and dirt? Then why not visit the medieval doctor’s surgery for some well-earned rest - but don’t expect a safe haven here. Visitors will witness a typical medieval surgeon at work, from treatment with live blood-sucking leeches to a simulated amputation with plenty of fake blood and gore. All this takes place without anaesthetic and with some extremely macabre-looking instruments. Visitors suffering from sniffs and snivels will have to go to the back of the queue as patients with gruesome boils and festering diseases such as leprosy and cholera are attended to – medieval style.
If this hasn’t put you off then come along and watch Sack, Heckle, Pluck & Sniff from the Black Knight Historical group demonstrate an array of medieval techniques – from butchery to gut-string making and urine bleaching. If you are feeling a bit left out of the action why not have your face painted with a collection of boils and pox to really fit in with the times, or have a go at making some medieval medicines yourself with our resident apothecary?
Be sure to look out for the Singing Plague Victims who will perform traditional songs and music culled from the rich musical heritage of Merrie England, with an emphasis on comedy and audience participation. Don’t stand too close to the contagious plague victims – not just because of the risk of infection, these guys smell bad! They are indeed a sight to behold, with long nosed Nostrildamus and Milly Molly Manky, once arrested for having an offensive voice!
These totally gruesome goings on take place at two atmospheric English Heritage sites – Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight (Sunday 19 - Monday 20 August) and Dover Castle in Kent (Saturday 25 – Monday 27 August).
Carisbrooke Castle
Date: Sunday 19 - Monday 20 Aug
Time: 10am – 5pm
Prices: Adults £5.60/ Concessions £4.20/ Children £2.80/ Family Ticket £14.00
English Heritage Members enter for free
Dover Castle
Date: Saturday 25 August – Monday 27 August
Time: 10am – 5pm
Prices: Adults £9.80/ Concessions £7.40/ Children £4.90/ Family Ticket £24.50
English Heritage Members enter for free
Why not become an English Heritage member? English Heritage members get free or reduced-price entry to events, as well as free entry to over 400 unique historic sites. Join online at English-heritage.org.uk/membership.
