In coming months Knight Sir Robrecht will once again welcome visitors to the Castle of the Counts in Ghent. The knight is back in shining armour after his winter sabbatical. On Sunday dozens of people were once again able to take photos with Sir Robrecht. This is the 13th year the knight will rekindle memories of the splendour of the Counts of Flanders at Ghent Castle.
Ghent Castle's Knight Sir Robrecht found his inspiration in Bonnie Scotland
Colin Clapson
Published:
in real life Knight Sir Robrecht goes by the name Mark Schreyen. He is 71 and hails from Lochristi (East Flanders). He returned to the courtyard of Ghent's Gravensteen Castle at the weekend. In full regalia, he welcomes visitors to visit the medieval castle.
Mark first found the inspiration for Knight Sir Robrecht during a trip to Scotland. "I visited the National Wallace Monument in Stirling and was welcomed by a guy in medieval attire. It was a eureka moment and I suggested doing something similar at the Castle of the Counts to Ghent city council. A few months later, I was standing on the courtyard of the Castle of the Counts."
"Now I am wearing clothes dating from the 14th century," says good knight. "My wife makes the clothes. She looks up what colours existed back then. My suit weighs about 15 kilograms. That's already much lighter than before. I’ve removed the leg pieces and that makes it lighter and more wearable!"
Mark Schreyen has been acting the part for 13 years now, in high season, from Easter to October. It started with a few afternoons a week. "This year I will be there one afternoon a week, on Saturday or Sunday, or if there is something special going on," he says.
One big question remains: what is so enjoyable about 'playing knights'? "The contact with visitors is great, especially with the children. For example, they ask where my princess is, or where my horse is. Everyone also wants to have their picture taken with me."
"I think several thousand photos have already been taken of me, and no doubt I am already hanging on a wall somewhere on the other side of the world. If I didn't find it so enjoyable, I wouldn't have lasted so long."