Hear ye, hear ye! All ye subjects of the Bay of Plenty are hereby summoned to revel in the most wondrous festivities of the 2016 New Zealand Medieval Faire.

Run by Baldaquin Incorporated Society of NZ, take a free journey through time to an age of Romans, Vikings, English Knights and wild barbarian hordes at the Tauranga Racecourse from January 22-24.

Faire co-ordinator Andria Goodlife says on offer will be a range of medieval activities and workshops, an artisan marketplace, living history displays and encampments – and battle re-enactments!

'We'll be celebrating the 866 Siege of York by a Viking army led by Halfdan and Ivar the Boneless and also hoping to re-enact the Battle of Hastings in 1066,” says Andria.

'This year we're expecting anywhere up to 180 reenactors, traders and living historians taking part in the faire, which is very special as it's a rare to get that many people all in one place at one time.”

It all begins Friday afternoon with the Squire School and Princess Party for children where the young ones can learn about medieval times in a fun and interactive way.

Then proceedings go up a notch on Saturday and Sunday with living history displays, tournaments and competitions including archery, siege artillery, beardedness, combat, dance and more.

An artisan traders market will also be up and running at the faire with a range of stalls offering high quality handmade goods, including some which have been created using authentic medieval techniques.

A re-enactor herself, Andria says the faire is about celebrating history because if you don't know where you've been 'then you'll never know where you're going”.

'I like the connection with people who were my ancestors and using my hands to make, create, fashion and fix things,” she explains. 'Like sitting and peeling vegetables with a knife, it connects you back to people who did that 100, 400, 6000 years ago.”

Andria is also an experienced combatant, who is quite handy with a quarterstaff and confesses to enjoying the rush of adrenaline that comes when on the field of battle.

'It's quite a thrill, especially when you've been skirmishing with someone equally skilful and you then manage to outwit them and land a blow.”

But what about being on the receiving end of a strike?

'I don't mind getting hit, it makes me laugh,” she says – laughing.

The 2016 New Zealand Medieval Faire is on at the Tauranga Racecourse from January 22-24. Entry is free Friday and Sunday, while the Tauranga A&P Show gate charges apply on Saturday.

For more information visit: nzmedievalfaire2016.webs.com