Cannon will fire, drums will sound, and swords will clash as the English Civil War returns to Bolton in a fantastic FREE event!
Roundheads and Cavaliers will descend on Bolton School THIS WEEKEND (7-8 July) for ‘The Storming of Bolton’ – an exciting weekend of thrilling battles and fascinating ‘living history’
The event is FREE, with a fascinating living history encampment open from 10am until 4pm where you can…
- Learn about life in Bolton during the English Civil Wars!
- Take part in a fun scavenger hunt around the fascinating historical encampment!
- Listen to our fire-and-brimstone Puritan preacher, visit the apothecary, and discover the Gong Farmer’s smelly secret – but watch out for the Rat Catcher!
- Find out what it’s like to be a Parliamentarian soldier – watch muskets firing and join them as they drill for battle!
- Watch as cannons and muskets fire in a thrilling battle reenactment as the townspeople defend Bolton from the Royalists’ attack!
Battle will take place at 1pm as Royalist forces storm the town’s defences and the Parliamentarian troops stage a desperate last stand!
Where: Bolton School, Chorley New Rd, Bolton BL1 4PA
When: 10am – 4pm, 7-8 July 2018
- 10am The Garrison’s encampment opens
Learn about life in Bolton during the English Civil Wars & take part in a fun scavenger
hunt! Talk to the cooks, visit the apothecary, watch leatherworkers and weavers tend to their chores, and discover the Gong Farmer’s smelly secret – but watch out for the Rat Catcher! - 10.30am Morning Prayers
The people of Bolton were staunch Calvinists Puritans – watch as the preacher brings them & the garrison to prayer, then discover why Bolton was known as ‘The Geneva of the North’ - 11am & 12noon Displays of Arms
Find out what it’s like to be a Parliamentarian soldier – watch muskets firing and discover how musketeers, pikemen, and drummers all worked together. Then join in with drill as the soldiers prepare for battle! - 1pm Battle begins
Watch as the Royalist army of Prince Rupert attacks the defences of Bolton! Col. Alexander Rigby’s Parliamentarian garrison and the townspeople must fight for their lives – but what price will they pay if they lose? - 4pm Encampment closes
Keep up to date with the Storming of Bolton Facebook event…
Thanks to the generous support of Bolton School and a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the weekend forms part of a special project aiming to improve educational access for children from across the town.
Known as ‘the Geneva of the North’ due to its staunchly Puritan population, Bolton was attacked in May 1644 by forces led by King Charles’ nephew, the dashing Prince Rupert, on his way to relieve the siege of York. After repelling the first assault, Parliamentarian defenders hanged one of Rupert’s officers, which led to a notorious massacre when the Royalists finally stormed the town – with up to a thousand soldiers and civilians killed in the rout! Local magnate, the Earl of Derby, was later executed next to Bolton Market Cross for his part in the massacre and the third Civil War in 1651.
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