Cannon will fire, drums will sound, and swords will clash as the English Civil War returns to Bolton in a fantastic FREE event THIS WEEKEND!
Roundheads and Cavaliers will descend on Bolton School on 7-8 July for ‘The Storming of Bolton’ – an exciting weekend of thrilling battles and fascinating ‘living history’!
Staged by The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote, the local regiment of the Sealed Knot reenactment society, the event is 100% FREE!
A fascinating living history encampment will be 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!
Schedule of the day:
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 Puritan 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…
Please note, there is very limited parking at this event; please respect our neighbours when parking or use public transport where possible.
The Earl of Manchester's Regiment of Foote blog 
Are dogs allowed .He is a gun dog .so wont be bothered with noise
Hi Anne! Dogs are allowed so long as they are on a lead at all times and any dog mess is cleaned up.