The common myth that medieval medicine was pure torture for patients will be slayed at an exciting re-enactment event this weekend.

Dogs of War return to Sherwood Forest Country Park this weekend as part of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Easter events programme. Dogs of War appear at the country park on Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, from 11am-4pm.

The programme features a wide range of free family fun for the whole family, providing great days out for all.

The re-enactment group will host a medieval court, crafts and other period demonstrations in the heart of Robin Hood’s iconic Sherwood Forest.

James Askins, from the Nottingham-based Dogs of War group said: “People see films of patients in Victorian times having medical procedures after consuming lots of alcohol as if it was the only way to dull the pain of surgery, and the common misconception is that going further back in time medieval medicine was primitive, dirty and nasty.

“In truth, it was very advanced – medieval medical practices followed Roman examples of health knowledge and even had anaesthetics like ether or its equivalent and the surgeons were skilled.

“For example, in the Middle Ages there is an account that the king’s doctor (for Henry IV) was called during a battle to assist the future king of England, Henry V, victor of the Battle of Agincourt, who would have died at the age of 16 if it were not for the skill of his surgeon in removing an arrow shot in his face during battle in Shrewsbury.”

A pelican – a tool for extracting teeth, surgical equipment for amputations and a 14th century medical textbook will be among the health equipment on display at this weekend’s event.

Izi Banton, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Site Manager for Sherwood Forest Country Park, said: “As part of the weekend, people can see how medieval camps were set up and watch members of the Dogs of War preparing food and entertaining crowds as they would have done in that period of history.

“It will be an exciting event and is just one of activities which will be taking place in the run-up to and during the Easter period in Nottinghamshire country parks – including Easter trails, nature walks and following In the Footsteps of Robin Hood!”

While at Sherwood don’t forget to visit the Major Oak – voted by the public as the current Great British Tree of the Year, in the recent Environmental Partnership Association awards.

For more details visit the Nottinghamshire County Council website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson where you can also sign up to the Email Me service to receive alerts about forthcoming events.