Precious Family Heirloom goes on display for the first time at Muncaster |
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A precious family heirloom called The Luck of Muncaster will go on show to the public for the first time at Muncaster Castle on the 28th of June. The Pennington family are celebrating their 800th anniversary at Muncaster this year and legend suggests that this little glass bowl is the reason they are still there. The Luck of Muncaster is said to have been given to Sir John Pennington in 1464 by King Henry VI. According to the story, the King gave the bowl to Sir John to thank the family for giving him shelter after his defeat at the Battle of Hexham. It is said that Henry told the Penningtons that as long as "this bowl remains unriven, Penningtons from Muncaster never shall be driven" or in modern English, don't break the bowl and you'll keep the Castle. As a result the bowl is always kept hidden safely in the Castle to ensure that it remains in one piece! Peter Frost Pennington says "The Luck of Muncaster is our most prized possession. It may not look particulary impressive compared to some of the treasures you find in other historic houses but to us it's priceless." "there was quite a bit of soul searching before we decided to put this little bowl on display. It's remained intact for quite a long time and we wouldn't want anything to happen to it now!" The luck will be put on display as part of a weekend of birthday celebrations at Muncaster. It can be seen in the Castle on the Saturday 28th June between midday and 4.00pm. To keep it as safe as possible the bowl will be placed in a steel and glass cabinet provided by Christies, the world's oldest fine art auction house. Tom Scott, the North of England director of Christies, says: We are delighted to be involved in putting such a rare and interesting object on display. The story behind the Luck of Muncaster really is a fascinating one, so it's great that members of the public will get the chance to see it for the first time." There will also be an opportunity for people to get their own family heirlooms valued. Tom Scott will be doing valuations at Muncaster between 11am and 2pm on Saturday 28th June. People can bring their antiques or photos of their antiques from any period for his assessment and valuation. Throughout the weekend of the 28th and 29th of June Muncaster will be stepping back in time to give people a taste of life at a castle in the Middle Ages. Children will be able to learn how to march, as well as having a go at swordsmanship and the moves a knight would make in combat. Visitors will also be able to try on a suit of armour and a knight's helmet as well as holding a real knight's sword and dagger. There will also be medieval games such as horseshoe throwing and 'Nine Men's Morris' - a strategy board game for two players that emerged from the Roman Empire. An army of fifteenth centry soldiers from the Red Wyvern Re-Enactment Society will take centre stage in a dramatic re-enactment of life at the Castle during the turbulent reign of Henry VI, when Sir John Pennington was master of Muncaster. Cumbrian Chef John Crouch will also be providing demonstrations of cooking through the ages. He will also be baking a 'medieval' cake which will be cut and distributed to visitors by the Pennington family late on Saturday afternoon. |
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