MORE than 70 re-enactors from across Scotland and the north of England will come together this weekend.

‘Besieged’ will portray elements of the siege of Dirleton Castle in the summer of 1298.

Taking place at Yellowcraig, on Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm both days, the event commemorates the siege of Dirleton Castle by the forces of Edward I of England, and promises a host of mediaeval entertainment.

Visitors to Besieged will be able to participate in archery and have their futures read by tarot expert Lady Cristobel.

Youngsters are being encouraged to dress in mediaeval style, with prizes for the best maidens’ costumes and flower garland crowns, while there will be the chance to learn knightly fighting skills and to watch fighters engaged in brutal contest in the concluding tournament a plaisance.

Professional actor Rob Howat will play the part of the king and it is rumoured that the secretive monks of Fidra Island, originally from Alnwick Priory, may be encouraged to leave their religious retreat in order to meet him.

Allan Muir, event organiser and director of Mythos Historic Events, is also delighted to welcome Gaelic singer Talitha Mackenzie as a key performer.

She will be accompanied by the well-known medieval music group Gaita and also by Newcastle musical duo Nightingale and Lark.

He said: "It's a great coincidence that Talitha is joining our performers at Besieged, as genealogical research shows that she has a family connection with King Edward I of England."

The siege happened two years after the lord of Dirleton John de Vaux pledged fealty to Edward after he defeated the Scots at Dunbar, removing King John and sending the Scottish crown and Stone of Scone to Westminster.

His loyalty switched back and forward during the wars and, by July 1298, de Vaux supported independence again and was besieged by Bek.

The castle, which was at the centre of numerous sieges in the years that followed, is now overseen by Historic Environment Scotland.

Mackenzie has been based in Edinburgh since 1987 and now lectures in historical dance and early music at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow.

She is prominent in promoting historic dance throughout Scotland.

She said: "I don't usually mention this family connection while in Scotland because Edward I had the unfortunate label Hammer of the Scots, but I am actually a descendent of his.

“Edward Longshanks, as the king was nicknamed - because of his height - is my 19th great-grandfather."

Tickets are available at a discount through the website Besieged.online