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Queerying the Museum

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Person with sword standing between two suits of armour

Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month at the Royal Armouries with a day of events exploring the queer histories of arms and armour.

See the galleries brought to life by Run of the Mill History.

Try your hand at self-defence with Bent Collective.

Discover bi icon La Maupin through a display of dazzling swordswomanship by the Armouries’ own live combat team.

Uncover hidden queer stories – from the use of armour as gender disguise in the early modern world, to the musket that inspired a lesbian opera storyline – with historians Mabel Mundy and Kit Heyam.

28 February 2026

Royal Armouries Museum

Parental Guidance

Free

Programme of activities

10am: Museum opens

11am: Live Combat Demonstration | La Maupin, Mistress of the Sword
Discover 17th-century bi icon La Maupin through a dazzling display of swordswomanship by the Armouries’ own live combat team.

12pm: Gallery Tour | Hidden Queer History in the Royal Armouries
Join historian Kit Heyam for a tour of hidden queer history in the Armouries galleries – from the Benin army who transformed into men, to the secrets behind a beautiful 16th-century gun.

  • Accessibility: All areas of the tour can be accessed via lift. A limited number of portable stools are available in each gallery
  • Tour capacity: 20
  • The tour is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

1pm:  Performance | RAF Greenham Common by Run of the Mill History
Join a young woman straight from the encampment at RAF Greenham Common as she shares all she's learnt about pacifism, lesbianism and vegetarian diets. This immersive walkabout performance will be portrayed by performer and historian Jude Kershaw. This performance has been inspired by the 'Farewell to Arms' gallery.

2pm: Combat and Self-defence Workshop
Join Zoë from Bent Collective in a beginner, LGBT+ friendly class to learn techniques developed specifically for marginalised people.

  • Accessibility: Accommodations and adjustments can be made based on individual's needs.
  • Age limit: 18+
  • What to bring: Bring water and comfortable clothes you can move around in. Try not to wear zips or anything that could catch on someone’s skin and remove jewellery before training if you can.
  • Capacity: 12
  • The workshop is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Disclaimer: The supplier will provide a waiver which will need to be signed by participants on the day. As such, participants will need to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the workshop.

3pm: Talk and Craft Workshop | Queer Armour in 16th-century Chivalric Literature
Led by literary historian Mabel Mundy, discover how characters in 16th-century chivalric literature used armour to transform their genders, and create your own knightly aesthetic inspired by their history.

  • PG Advised: This talk includes discussion of mild sexual content.

4pm Gallery Tour | Hidden Queer History in the Royal Armouries
Join historian Kit Heyam for a tour of hidden queer history in the Armouries galleries – from the Benin army who transformed into men, to the secrets behind a beautiful 16th-century gun.

  • Accessibility: All areas of the tour can be accessed via lift. A limited number of portable stools are available in each gallery
  • Tour capacity: 20
  • The tour is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Book your visit

Please pre-book your visit on Saturday 28 February.

Admission is free.

Book now

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