A GIANT catapult was fired for the first time in 900 years at Mountfitchet Castle near Stansted to culminate a weekend of medieval fun.
The wooden contraption, which is hand-pulled and can fire boulders about 40ft, was built over just two days before being fired at about 4pm on Sunday (July 20), the first time such a weapon has been used at the Norman motte-and-bailey castle in centuries.
But rather than the traditional boulders, water balloons filled the air momentarily, before bursting on the ground, to shrieks of delight from children standing nearby.
"It's called a perrier" said Jeremy Goldsmith, co-owner of the castle.
"This is living archaeology so we are doing it from people's experience. In the end it will go for 40ft – it was for throwing boulders on fire over walls. We gave ourselves a challenge to build it in two days – it was a bit much but I think we will have it firing really well. It was the crown at the end of the weekend."
A small crowd had gathered to watch the firing, but appeared to be unaware of its significance.
Selina Bugsby, 42, was with her four-year-old son Alfie and partner Darren Hildrew, 43, standing by the catapult.
"That's amazing that they have put it together," she said, when told it was the first firing for 900 years. "It's brilliant.
"This is our third visit in about two months. Alfie loves it here – you can run around, children are pretty safe in here which is great. He also likes the toy museum."
Elsewhere blades were brandished and battle cries were heard as knights fought for the honour of Lord and Lady Oldcastle, attempting to maim each other with ferocious two-handed swords, while others decided that quantity was better than quality and had two swords to attack with, hacking and hitting at their opponent's shield with vigour.
About 100 children and parents cheered and shouted along with the action.
Edward Cloake, 30, from Cambridge, was there with his two daughters Emilia, 5, and Sophia, 2. He said: "It's really good. I like the whole recreational village – it's nice to see the way it used to be. I tried on a helmet. The girls liked the archery exhibit – they've been talking about becoming archers".
Sharon Buckland, from St Neots, was there with her son Mikey, 9.
"We've had a great day," she said. "My son came on a school trip a few weeks ago and he has not stopped going on about it.
"I think it's the fact that you could go in places and really feel it.
"They didn't have any shows when he came – we picked this today because of the battles."
Mikey said: "The fighting was best – the best bit was when one got headbutted. I would love to be there and I think I would win. It's fantastic to come and see."
Children could also try on medieval helmets, learn about the clothes that people wore in the 14th century and hear what different functions each area of the castle had as they toured the Norman village in the castle grounds.
