Easter has always been one of the most important moments in the Christian calendar – but in medieval England it was much more than a single Sunday celebration. It marked the end of the long fasting period of Lent and the beginning of a joyful season of feasting, games, and time spent together after the hardships of winter.
For people living in places like Ludlow, Easter would have been a welcome turning point in the year. After the colder months, communities were ready to celebrate. So what might Easter have looked like for families living in and around a castle in the Middle Ages?
A Time to Celebrate the End of Lent
In medieval England, Lent was taken very seriously. For forty days people avoided rich foods such as meat, butter, milk and eggs. Meals were simple, often based around bread, fish and vegetables. By the time Easter arrived, everyone was ready for a proper feast.
When the church bells rang on Easter morning, it marked the end of fasting and the beginning of celebration. Families gathered to share food that had been forbidden during Lent, and tables would suddenly be filled with eggs, breads, pies and roasted meats.
Eggs were especially popular because chickens continued laying throughout Lent but the eggs couldn’t be eaten. By Easter there were plenty saved up, making them the perfect symbol of the season.
Easter Games and Medieval Fun
While Easter was an important religious festival, it was also a time for entertainment. Medieval records describe a variety of games and traditions taking place in villages, towns and castle grounds.
One popular activity was egg rolling, where decorated eggs were rolled down grassy hills to see whose travelled the furthest without breaking. Some historians believe this symbolised the stone rolling away from Christ’s tomb.
Children especially enjoyed simple games in open spaces – chasing, racing and searching for hidden objects. It’s easy to imagine how these early traditions may have eventually inspired the modern Easter egg hunt!
Medieval Easter Food
Easter food in medieval England may be surprisingly familiar. Special breads were baked to celebrate the end of Lent, sometimes marked with a cross. Sweet treats became more common once ingredients like milk and butter could be used again.
Eggs remained central to the celebrations. They might be boiled, dyed with natural colours using onion skins or plants, or used in dishes shared with family and neighbours.
While medieval cooks didn’t have chocolate eggs, they certainly knew how to celebrate with food!
Celebrate Easter at Ludlow Castle
If you’d like to experience a little of that medieval Easter spirit for yourself, Ludlow Castle is the perfect place for a family day out this spring. From the 28th March to 12th April the Castle will be hosting a family Easter trail, inviting young explorers to search the historic grounds for hidden eggs.
It’s a wonderful way for children to explore one of England’s most impressive medieval castles while enjoying a bit of Easter fun along the way.
Ludlow Castle is open daily during the Easter holidays, making it the perfect place for a family day out. Follow the Easter trail through the castle ruins, explore centuries of history, and enjoy the spectacular views across Ludlow town.
Find out more HERE and plan your visit to Ludlow Castle this Easter.