| Warspite1 | 22 Jan 2020 4:41 p.m. PST |
Last summer I visited Warwick Castle (now owned by Tussaud's) and saw their Warwick the Kingmaker waxworks exhibition in his former home. It was impressive and there was little I could fault. link All photos on this link are thumbnails and each opens up bigger when double-clicked. In each case I have written a caption explaining what is in the picture and picking out details. There is also a general caption. Enjoy! B |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 23 Jan 2020 12:15 a.m. PST |
Nice pictures. The waxworks look excellent. Seems a good way to exhibit 'castle life'. Surprised I haven't seen them used in other castles/historic houses. (Imagine it helps being owned by the same company that owns world's most famous waxworks) |
| Warspite1 | 23 Jan 2020 3:06 a.m. PST |
@KYPD38:
Thank you! Tonbridge Castle in Kent has taken a similar approach. Their figures are earlier – say 13th century. Some are monochrome fibre glass while others are in full colour. link I love the soldier caught on the garderobe (toilet) and the dog watching the woman sewing. B |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 23 Jan 2020 5:12 a.m. PST |
Kent is practically abroad from these parts (deepest, darkest Derbyshire). The only other example I can think of is Jorvik, which really makes what is basically an archaeological dig site come alive. I think the Warwick, and Tonbridge examples are excellent. (Of course I exclude repurposed shop mannekins with iffy looking wigs and outfits) |
| Timbo W | 23 Jan 2020 6:22 a.m. PST |
Many years ago I went there for our work Christmas dinner and we entered the 'banqueting hall' through the waxworks exhibition. After a while we realised that they mixed in real people in costume with the waxworks, so was entertaining trying to make them giggle :-) |
| Warspite1 | 23 Jan 2020 6:35 a.m. PST |
@Timbo W:
Yes, the other half at Warwick is as you describe, a 'Downham Abbey' style tableau which depicts a real house party for Edward VII. This was during the time that Edward and the then Countess of Warwick were lovers. I seem to recall that Tussaud's (tactfully) have put them in different rooms. At KYPD38:
Check out Peveril Castle then: link The walk up is a heart attack waiting to happen but the view is superb. B |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 23 Jan 2020 7:57 a.m. PST |
Peveril is just a walk away from where I sit typing. An interesting castle. Walk up there isn't that steep, but then I have spent 15 years in mountain rescue in the area. |
| dapeters | 23 Jan 2020 9:20 a.m. PST |
Thanks Barry, fantastic pictures! In the first set of pictures, there is a man with a handgun, can you please blow-up (excusing the pun) the part of the gun where the touch hole is? |
| Warspite1 | 23 Jan 2020 10:43 a.m. PST |
@KYPD38:
Lucky you for the locale!
I have M.E./C.F.S. + arthritis + sleep apnoea. Three steps up my step ladder is steep, Peveril Castle was my Mt Everest as I mentioned in the caption stories. @dapeters:
I probably can but how do I get it to you?? Not a shot I wish to put on Flickr. B |
Shagnasty  | 23 Jan 2020 11:03 a.m. PST |
Visiting Warwick Castle was a highlight of British trip in the '80s. At the time the Edward VII dinner was completed but the medieval stuff was represented by an incredible re-enactor and his specially bred "war horse." "Bob" was beautiful, patient with tourists but did not crinkling cellophane. Terrific place to visit. |
| Yesthatphil | 23 Jan 2020 1:39 p.m. PST |
The waxworks are very good – I'm thinking it might be something to look at for Naseby as an alternative to the lifeless dummies we see more commonly (mannequins of course not battlefield guides!) … That said I showed the pictures to the youngsters of the house who generally preferred the mannequins (the wax figures were 'too creepy' apparently) Phil |
| dapeters | 27 Jan 2020 9:15 a.m. PST |
Thanks Barry arteres2001 (at) yahoo, hopefully you make sense of that. |
| ROUWetPatchBehindTheSofa | 27 Jan 2020 1:08 p.m. PST |
Never been to Warwick, which has always seemed to be an overly expensive tourist trap. Personally I prefer my castles with a minimum of interpretation. Been to Peveril a couple of times, since its near where I grew up, and yes its steep! Also as a callow youth I was briefly a MRT trainee in my local team… These days I live near a bunch of castles and far older fortifications, which are free to visit, and generally on the flat, but unfortunately they aren't particularly extensive or impressive. |
| Warspite1 | 27 Jan 2020 3:11 p.m. PST |
@Rou etc:
I begrudged the Warwick money but we had a coupon from corn flakes which basically got us in on a two-for-one basis which made it less painful.
I also agree with you about the lesser castles being more interesting. Here's a few others… Framlingham:
link Castle Acre (very near me):
link Eynsford (simple early Norman):
link Richmond:
link Barnard Castle:
link Middleham:
link B |
tackles a 
