A famous battle that occurred in Sandwich in 1457 will be reenacted as part of The Medieval Fayre, this weekend.

The family-friendly event returns to Sandwich Showground in Ash Road today and tomorrow from 10am until 5.30pm.

The Mayor of Sandwich, Cllr Paul Graeme, will open the show by firing the trebuchet at 10.30am.

There will be jousting and a bird of prey demonstration before the first half of the battle begins at 12.15pm.

Written for them by the Medieval Siege Society, it will re-enact a famous battle that happened in 1457, when Sandwich was attacked by 4,000 Frenchmen, mainly from Honfleur, under Marshal Pierre de Breze or as English accounts call him, Peter Brassey.

The parishes of St Mary and St Clement were destroyed, except St Clement’s tower. The citizens fought desperately all day until help arrived from the other Cinque Port towns and at about 5.30pm the French withdrew.

The Mayor of Sandwich, John Drury, was killed along with many citizens. In memory of this event, the Mayor of Sandwich still wears a black robe.

Organiser Kate Coles said: “The Fayre is a chance to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a medieval village with tradesmen, gentry, squires and knights.

“People can cheer on their favourite knight in skirmishes. They can even watch an incredible trebuchet in action, a weapon that first arrived in England in 1216 at the siege of our neighbouring Dover Castle.”

There will be medieval traders, a funfair, food, face painting and pony rides on Sunday.

Entry is £5 for adults, £3 for children and £14 for a family ticket. Buy them from sandwichshowground.co.uk/buy-tickets