A medieval ‘king’ visited a Suffolk market town at the weekend - 750 years after it was granted market charter status.

A King Henry III impersonator dressed in medieval garb led a procession to the steps of the Market Hall in Saxmundham on Saturday to present the charter, which granted the town the right to hold markets.

The ceremony marked the historic moment, in July 1272, when the town obtained the prestigious status and crowds enjoyed the sunny, warm weather to witness the occasion as part of a day-long festival of events and entertainment.

East Anglian Daily Times: The medieval re-enactors descend on Saxmundham with the charterThe medieval re-enactors descend on Saxmundham with the charter (Image: MALCOLM WATSON)

There were about 25 re-enactors in the town in a Middle Ages-style encampment, with entertainment and archery available throughout the day.

At 2pm, the ‘King’ officially opened the new Fromus Community Centre at the new Saxmundham Hub in Street Farm Road.

East Anglian Daily Times: The procession heads through SaxmundhamThe procession heads through Saxmundham (Image: MALCOLM WATSON)

East Anglian Daily Times: The charter arrives in SaxmundhamThe charter arrives in Saxmundham (Image: MALCOLM WATSON)

Diana Eastman, chair of Saxmundham Town Council, said: “It has been a great day. There have been a lot of people here. It has been a lovely day and the weather has been brilliant.”