Framlingham Pageant

A medieval pageant held at Framlingham Castle in 1931.

A historical pageant shot from the public stands at Framlingham Castle during 1931. Edited in no apparent chronological sequence, the opening shots show knights on horseback. Characters from history appear in Medieval and Tudor dress. The arrival of a man on horseback suggests a visit by a nobleman or the King. There are scenes showing a funeral. The film shows scenes of dances, including medieval dances and Maypole dancing. There are scenes showing a joust and another showing some sort of battle, possibly from the peasants' revolt.

Featured Buildings

Framlingham Castle

Featured Events

Framlingham Pageant, 1931.

Keywords

Pageants

Background Information

These scenes may show episodes from the history of Framlingham Castle. Framlingham has been the seigneurial borough of the Bigod family since the Doomsday Survey. Framlingham Castle was built by Roger Bigod c. 1100 after a grant from Henry 1, although the Doomsday Survey suggests that building work may have begun sooner. It was demolished in 1174 following Hugh Bigod's support fro the Earl of Leicester's rebellion. Roger Bigod was created Earl of Norfolk by Richard I and began to build the second castle c. 1190. It was besieged by King John in 1216, Roger Bigod having been a guarantor of the Magna Carta. In 1297 Roger Bigod led opposition to Edward I imposition of high taxes.In 1312 Edward II granted Framlingham to his half brother Thomas de Brotherton. On the death of Countess Mary de Brotherton in 1399 the Castle passed to the Mowbray family and became the Chief seat of the Mowbray Dukes of Norfolk. During the Wars of the Roses the Castle became involved in a web of forfeitures, patronage, wardship and marriage. In 1459 John Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Norfolk invited Knights and Squires to Framlingham to meet with the Earl of Oxford about the sad rule and governance to which Norfolk was subjected.In 1476 Framlingham Castle passed to the Howard family. Thomas Howard was created Duke of Norfolk in 1516 by Henry VIII for his services at the Battle of Flodden. It was at Framlingham in 1533 that Queen Mary gathered her supporters before moving against Lady Jane Grey.