This May Bank Holiday weekend come see us in Derbyshire!

So after the long winter, summer is upon us and with it the start of our reenactment season – why not come and experience the drama of the English Civil War with us?

The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote, as part of The Armie of Parliament, will be at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire this coming week, 30th April to the 2nd of May.

And the best thing? The event is COMPLETELY FREE for the public.*

On the Saturday there will be a grand march through the estate, followed by displays of arms.

Then on Sunday and Monday, the castle grounds will echo with the sounds of battle as the the paddock hosts an English Civil War reenactment at 2.30pm. We’ll be blowing off the cobwebs as well as putting on a show with musket, pike, and drums – come and cheer us on and experience some of the drama of this fascinating period in British history.

There will also be a ‘Living History’ camp next to the house, which will be open on all three days of the weekend from noon until 4pm.

Elvaston Castle is a gorgeous site practically a stone’s throw from the centre of Derby, with a lovely lake, woodlands, and formal gardens with topiary for you and the family to explore!

Details:

Elvaston Castle and Country Park
Address: Borrowash Road, Elvaston, Derby DE72 3EP

*car parking charges apply

And for more details of our forthcoming events this summer, visit the interactive map on our website to find one near you!

Looking for something to do with this family this May Bank Holiday weekend? Come see us at Elvaston Castle!

So after the long winter, the summer will soon be with us and with it the start of our reenactment season!

The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote, as part of The Armie of Parliament, will be at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire this First May Bank Holiday 2016, 30th April to the 2nd of May.

And the best thing? The event is COMPLETELY FREE for the public.*

On the Saturday there will be a grand march through the estate, followed by displays of arms.

Then on Sunday and Monday, the castle grounds will echo with the sounds of battle as the the paddock hosts an English Civil War reenactment at 2.30pm. We’ll be blowing off the cobwebs as well as putting on a show with musket, pike, and drums – come and cheer us on and experience some of the drama of this fascinating period in British history.

There will also be a ‘Living History’ camp next to the house, which will be open on all three days of the weekend from noon until 4pm.

Elvaston Castle is a gorgeous site practically a stone’s throw from the centre of Derby, with a lovely lake, woodlands, and formal gardens with topiary for you and the family to explore!

Details:

Elvaston Castle and Country Park
Address: Borrowash Road, Elvaston, Derby DE72 3EP

*car parking charges apply

And for more details of our forthcoming events this summer, visit the interactive map on our website to find one near you!

“Cromwell slept ‘ere” and other English Civil War myths…

We spotted a great article recently from BBC History Magazine about “10 great misconceptions about the English Civil War”

Common mistakes it seeks to correct include the ideas that the Civil War broke out by accident (wrong), Cavaliers were aristocrats while Roundheads were yeomen (wrong), Cromwell won the war for parliament (wrong) and that it was only a war of religion (also wrong).

It’s a great article with some very prominent historians involved, so we recommend it while also adding a more specific one of our own…

Even just the cursory wander around the English countryside will yield several old pubs, hotels and houses that lay claim to having been visited by Oliver Cromwell, Charles I, and/or the troops of either of them – whether it would be historically accurate or not.

One particular favourite is a pub near Daventry in Northamptonshire that boasts that Cromwell stayed there the night before the Battle of Naseby; if he had, he’d not only have run into the Royalists stationed there, but would have had to have galloped about 40 miles before getting anywhere near the battle!

We often joke that if Oliver Cromwell had visited or slept in all the places he’s reputed to have visited or slept in then he would either would have had to have a twin brother or lived to be a hundred!

But whether it’s true or not, it’s always nice to see English Civil War history at least being acknowledged, and that’s certainly true in the Yorkshire town of Otley, where one of our members spotted this little plaque on the wall of the Black Bull pub!

The Siege of Chester is this August Bank Holiday weekend – see our full schedule of fantastic events!

There’s just 19 days to go until Chester heads back to the 17th Century as The Sealed Knot, Europe’s largest historical re-enactment society, stages a huge re-enactment of The Siege of Chester in the ancient city.

Around 2,000 costumed re-enactors will descend on Chester from 29-31 August, with activities in the city centre, plus a large historical encampment and massed battles on Chester Racecourse.

Watch out for more information over the next couple of weeks as we reveal all the exciting details about this one-of-a-kind event, which will be completely FREE to locals and visitors alike.

Check out our fabulous leaflet, which you’ll find popping up all around Chester:

The weekend’s full schedule is:

Saturday 29th August
12pm Watch the armies march through the city centre to the Roman Gardens to unveil a plaque to the victims of the Great Siege.
1pm – 4pm See dramatic scenes re-enacted at the Market Cross, on Eastgate, and a 17th Century wedding at Chester Town Hall.

Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August
11am – 4pm Step back in time and visit our historical encampment on Chester Racecourse.
2.30pm (2pm Monday) Watch Roundhead & Cavalier clash in a spectacular re-enactment of the 1645 Battle of Rowton Moor!

Also, check out our fantastic trailer for what promises to be a spectacular weekend for the entire family:

Did you see us at the weekend and want to be a part of this incredible hobby? Join up now!

Did you come to Naseby at the weekend to watch us re-enact the pivotal battle of the English Civil War?

Just think, you could join us as we bring history to life across the country, camping in some of the most spectacular locations in England, Scotland, and Wales, having great fun afterwards by socialising around the campfire or down the beer tent, and making great new friends – whether you’re on your own or part of a family!

If you’ve ever thought about having a go at historical re-enactment it really couldn’t be easier to join the Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote. Just visit our website for more information and then go to the contacts page to find a member that’s close to you! If you’ve got questions about the hobby, such as how much it costs and what it entails, you should definitely check out our Frequently Asked Questions page which hopefully answers them – being in the Sealed Knot is the easiest and most family-friendly way to get into re-enactment!

Contact our recruitment team leader Ian by calling 07932 706896 or emailing theearlofmanchesters@gmail.com

But don’t take our word for it – just listen to what our members have to say about why you should join up now.

And don’t forget that Manchester’s is great for kids too – we talked to some of the youngsters who form the future of our regiment:

Convinced? We’re always on the look out for new recruits – you don’t need to be an ‘expert’ on history or know lots about the English Civil War, just think of its as a cross between a music festival, a rugby match, and a party afterwards! Just imagine taking on one of these roles on the battlefield.

Become a Musketeer

Become a Pikeman

Become a Drummer

Become a part of the Baggage Train

Whatever you choose to do, we’d LOVE for you to become a part of our regiment. Everyone was new once, so we’re committed to making you feel welcomed and part of the regiment from day one – just give it a go, we promise you a weekend you’ll never forget! Contact you now at theearlofmanchesters@gmail.com

Come to Northamptonshire this weekend to mark 370 years since the pivotal Battle of Naseby

This weekend, we mark 370 years since the pivotal Battle of Naseby with a major battle re-enactment on part of the original battlefield!

Next to this sleepy village, nestled between Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Lutterworth, and Market Harborough, over the weekend of 13th and 14th June a full programme of events will bring moment alive the remarkable day when Parliamentarian forces defeated the army of King Charles I and set the stage for more than three and a half centuries of British history.

This is not just a very important event for those taking part but also for the village and The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote is proud to be a part of it.

Here’s the schedule for this weekend:

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS – SATURDAY

10.30 – Royalist Troops march through the village

11.15 – Parliament Troops march through the village

11.30 – Skirmish on the edge of the village

12.00 – The New Model Army enters the village with cavalry escort routing Royalist troops and officers lunching in All Saints Church

12.00 – The living history encampment on Mill Hill opens to inform, educate and entertain members of the public.

13.30 – Pre-battle display 1: Sulby Hedge, where we re-enacting the start of the battle when Colonel Okey’s Dragoons fired into the Royalist Cavalry.

14.15 – Pre-battle display 2: Parliament Baggage Trayne, where the Royalist cavalry will charge the length of the field and engage the camp which will be defended by the Artillery Guard of Firelocks commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Desborough.

14.45 – The main field armies arrive at Mill Hill, forming into the large formations that can be seen on battle maps of of the time.

15.00 – Battle is joined, with pike, musket, cannon, drums, colours, and cavalry battling it out for the fate of England!

16.30 – Parliament is victorious and both armies will march back through the village behind massed drums and colours.

17.30 – Mill Hill closes to the public

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS – SUNDAY

10.30 – Troops march through the village

11.00 – Act of Remembrance for the fallen of the Civil Wars outside the Church of All Saints, Naseby with local residents, patrons and trustees of the Naseby Battlefield Project and all members of the Sealed Knot welcome.

11.45 – Meet the Ancestors – meet the descendants of those that took part in the Battle of Naseby in All Saints Church.

12.00 – The living history encampment on Mill Hill opens to inform, educate and entertain members of the public.

13.30 – Pre-battle display 1: Sulby Hedge, where we re-enacting the start of the battle when Colonel Okey’s Dragoons fired into the Royalist Cavalry.

14.15 – Pre-battle display 2: Parliament Baggage Trayne, where the Royalist cavalry will charge the length of the field and engage the camp which will be defended by the Artillery Guard of Firelocks commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Desborough.

14.45 – The main field armies arrive at Mill Hill, forming into the large formations that can be seen on battle maps of of the time.

15.00 – Battle is joined, with pike, musket, cannon, drums, colours, and cavalry battling it out for the fate of England!

16.30 – Parliament is victorious and both armies will march back through the village behind massed drums and colours.

17.30 – Mill Hill closes to the public

Come and mark 370 years since The Battle of Naseby with us on 13-14 June

On 14th June 1645, the fields between the Northamptonshire villages of Naseby and Sibbertoft saw one of the most significant battles in British history.

Royalist troops loyal to King Charles I and the Parliamentarian ‘New Model Army’ led by Sir Thomas Fairfax met in the culmination of a three-year bloody civil war that had pitted families and friends against each other.

But this was not just another battle, this was the fiery crucible in which the future of Britain was decided – were we to be an absolute monarchy ruled over by a single man or were we to begin on the road to true democracy. The fates of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland rested in the balance.

That day was 370 years ago this month and to mark this momentous occasion in our history, the Sealed Knot is staging a major battle re-enactment on part of the original battlefield.

This sleepy village, nestled in rolling hills between Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Lutterworth, and Market Harborough, was the scene of an incredible confrontation and over the weekend of 13th and 14th June, a full programme of events will bring this remarkable moment alive.

This is not just a very important event for those taking part but also for the village and The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote is proud to be a part of it.

Over the next two weeks, we’ll be bringing you up to speed on some of the people and events that made this battle so important, while also giving you the low down on what we’ll be doing as part of this special event.

So let’s start off with an idea of what’s going to be happening over the weekend of 13-14 June:

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS – SATURDAY

10.30 – Royalist Troops march through the village

11.15 – Parliament Troops march through the village

11.30 – Skirmish on the edge of the village

12.00 – The New Model Army enters the village with cavalry escort routing Royalist troops and officers lunching in All Saints Church

12.00 – The living history encampment on Mill Hill opens to inform, educate and entertain members of the public.

13.30 – Pre-battle display 1: Sulby Hedge, where we re-enacting the start of the battle when Colonel Okey’s Dragoons fired into the Royalist Cavalry.

14.15 – Pre-battle display 2: Parliament Baggage Trayne, where the Royalist cavalry will charge the length of the field and engage the camp which will be defended by the Artillery Guard of Firelocks commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Desborough.

14.45 – The main field armies arrive at Mill Hill, forming into the large formations that can be seen on battle maps of of the time.

15.00 – Battle is joined, with pike, musket, cannon, drums, colours, and cavalry battling it out for the fate of England!

16.30 – Parliament is victorious and both armies will march back through the village behind massed drums and colours.

17.30 – Mill Hill closes to the public

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS – SUNDAY

10.30 – Troops march through the village

11.00 – Act of Remembrance for the fallen of the Civil Wars outside the Church of All Saints, Naseby with local residents, patrons and trustees of the Naseby Battlefield Project and all members of the Sealed Knot welcome.

11.45 – Meet the Ancestors – meet the descendants of those that took part in the Battle of Naseby in All Saints Church.

12.00 – The living history encampment on Mill Hill opens to inform, educate and entertain members of the public.

13.30 – Pre-battle display 1: Sulby Hedge, where we re-enacting the start of the battle when Colonel Okey’s Dragoons fired into the Royalist Cavalry.

14.15 – Pre-battle display 2: Parliament Baggage Trayne, where the Royalist cavalry will charge the length of the field and engage the camp which will be defended by the Artillery Guard of Firelocks commanded by Captain-Lieutenant Desborough.

14.45 – The main field armies arrive at Mill Hill, forming into the large formations that can be seen on battle maps of of the time.

15.00 – Battle is joined, with pike, musket, cannon, drums, colours, and cavalry battling it out for the fate of England!

16.30 – Parliament is victorious and both armies will march back through the village behind massed drums and colours.

17.30 – Mill Hill closes to the public

Did you see us this month and want to be a part of this incredible hobby? Join up now!

Did you come to Standford Hall or Newark this month to watch us re-enact the English Civil War? Just think, you could join us as we bring history to life across the country, camping in some of the most spectacular locations in England, Scotland, and Wales, having great fun afterwards by socialising around the campfire or down the beer tent, and making great new friends – whether you’re on your own or part of a family!

If you’ve ever thought about having a go at historical re-enactment it really couldn’t be easier to join the Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote. Just visit our website for more information and then go to the contacts page to find a member that’s close to you! If you’ve got questions about the hobby, such as how much it costs and what it entails, you should definitely check out our Frequently Asked Questions page which hopefully answers them – being in the Sealed Knot is the easiest and most family-friendly way to get into re-enactment!

Contact our recruitment team leader Ian by calling 07932 706896 or emailing theearlofmanchesters@gmail.com

But don’t take our word for it – just listen to what our members have to say about why you should join up now.

And don’t forget that Manchester’s is great for kids too – we talked to some of the youngsters who form the future of our regiment:

Convinced? We’re always on the look out for new recruits – you don’t need to be an ‘expert’ on history or know lots about the English Civil War, just think of its as a cross between a music festival, a rugby match, and a party afterwards! Just imagine taking on one of these roles on the battlefield.

Become a Musketeer

Become a Pikeman

Become a Drummer

Become a part of the Baggage Train

Whatever you choose to do, we’d LOVE for you to become a part of our regiment. Everyone was new once, so we’re committed to making you feel welcomed and part of the regiment from day one – just give it a go, we promise you a weekend you’ll never forget! Contact you now at theearlofmanchesters@gmail.com

This weekend: the Sealed Knot comes to Stanford Hall in Leicestershire

Not a big blog post this week, we’ll let the advertising flyer speak for itself:

 

See you there for some great Bank Holiday action!

VIDEO: Besieging Newark-on-Trent to launch the new National Civil War Centre

What a Bank Holiday weekend! Newark-on-Trent came alive last week as the National Civil War Centre was opened in this historic town, which boasts the best preserved English Civil War defenses in the country.

Here’s some video of what was an intense but incredibly well-attended battle, which took place by The Queen’s Sconse on the edge of town and which the public – nine or ten-deep at some points – seemed to love!

And one of our members, Kevin, spoke to the local paper’s website about being a part of the event…

For more on the history of Newark, check out our post from last week.