Malton Museum's Roman Festival, held on Saturday, saw re-enactments and cavalry and parades, with shield wielding and sword decorating and more.

To Louise Lewis, festival organiser and volunteer, the event is a celebration of the origins of the two towns of Malton and Norton, and the founding of Delgovicia.

"It is important, we feel, that we celebrate the heritage of that time," she said. " Although we have no stonework we can see it's still visible in the landscape today."

The 2nd Malton Museum Roman Festival 2023 held in Orchard Field, Malton. A celebration of Roman life in Malton and Norton with live action demonstrations from the Roman Cavalry by Equistry, marching and battle sequences from Magister Militum, Roma Antiqua and Legio VI Victrix. Pictured Roman legionaries (left to right) Steve Waghorn, (Sextus Calius Tuscus), Dave Grainger, (Marcus Minvcius Mudenus), Martin Williams, (Gavis Aerisus) and Phil Clegg, (Quintus Furentius Firmus) from Legio VI Victrix Eboracum march around the camp. Picture By Yorkshire Post Photographer, James Hardisty. Date: 23rd September 2023.

The Romans first arrived in the area in AD70, building what was intended to be a temporary fortress at the same as they descended upon York.

Malton Museum is predominantly an archaeological museum, and the festival is entirely reliant on volunteers.

Saturday's Roman event, originally planned for July but postponed due to poor weather, saw brighter skies this weekend with large crowds enjoying the day.

There were live demonstrations, marches and weapons demonstrations, as well as a mini museum. Then arena displays, with Roman interest groups including MAP archaeology, Roman Roads Research Association, FFWAP, and the Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society.

Members of reenactment group Legio VI Victrix Eboracum during Malton Museum's Roman Festival in Malton, North Yorkshire. Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Additionally, there were author signings, and children's activities with shield and sword decorating, dressing up in chainmail, and marches.

Ms Lewis said the museum, with many of its collections and displays centred around the archaeology of the area and its history, aims to share that story and celebrate its rich history.

From the Roman period, there is an "extensive" collection of artefacts. And while little of the fort has been excavated, it does explore Roman life in the region and documents some of Malton’s earliest inhabitants.

"Our town is shaped because the Romans were here," said Ms Lewis. "We were put on the map by the Romans, through different points of our history here in Malton we've had a large part to play in the history of the nation. It matters because we should never forget where we come from, and who stood here before us."

Malton Roman Festival: Celebrating a Yorkshire market town's historic roots with battle re-enactments