Lichfield Bower and Carnival

From the collection of

Media Archive for Central England
MACE is the strategic lead organisation for screen heritage for the East and West Midlands regions. An independent charity based at University of Lincoln, MACE preserves and makes accessible a collection of more than 100,000 historic moving images representative of the diverse cultures and histories of communities throughout the heart of England from the Lincolnshire coast to the Welsh border.

Lichfield Bower and Carnival


The Lichfield Bower began as a local show of strength in support of King Henry II. By the time this film was shot by John Harris in the late 1930s the display of military prowess had evolved into a carnival procession with the knights, still wearing armour, accompanied by jazz and kazoo bands. Less a display of the town's ability to repel invaders and more an excuse for pageantry and celebration.


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