in the

Guildhall, High Street, Worcester

 

The Three Battles Festival

  was held on

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

  Sponsored by the Battle of Worcester Society

 

 The The society's stand at the 2008 Three Battles Festival

In attendance

  • the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society
  • the Simon de Montfort Society
  • the Richard lll Society of Worcestershire
  • the Battlefield Trust
  • Worcestershire History Centre
  • Worcester Re-enactors
  • Birch's Regiment (Sealed Knot)
  • King's Lifeguard

What the public said on the day:

"A superb day";  

"Wonderful to see so much history on show";

"Are you doing this again?";

"What a fascinating insight into the three battles";

Work is now starting on the organization of next year's event.

Dilip Sarkar, Chairman of the Battle of Worcester Society said " "It's positive we got together as societies because each battle was about 200 years apart so it's interesting to see the changes in English society over those 600 years."

 

BACKGROUND

In and around the city of Worcester, the decisive battle between King and Parliament took place on September 3rd, 1651. Charles II’s Scottish army was annihilated and the young King himself became a hunted fugitive, eventually escaping to exile in France.

Never again would the democratic Parliamentary system of government be challenged.

Centuries before, a battle took place in Evesham, August 4th, 1265, over similar issues: Simon de Montfort led a revolt of barons, committed to making the King reign through a council representing both royal and baronial interests. The slaughter at Evesham, amidst the dramatic backdrop of a thunderstorm, was great and de Montfort was killed, his cause lost.

South of Worcester, just across the border with neighbouring Gloucestershire, is the picturesque town of Tewkesbury, built around the confluences of the Rivers Severn and Avon. This tranquil setting belies violent death of a grand scale during the Wars of the Roses: on May 4th, 1471, the Yorkist King Edward IV met and defeated the Lancastrians, who sought to place their own Edward, Prince of Wales, on the throne. The red rose of Lancaster was routed, and those who had sought sanctuary in Tewkesbury’s famous Abbey were dragged out and executed. The House of York would not be challenged again on the battlefield for 14 years, when Richard III was defeated by the Lancastrian usurper Henry Tudor at Bosworth.

In 2006, the Battle of Worcester Society was formed to ensure that the 1651 Battle of Worcester did not fade into obscurity but became appropriately remembered, commemorated and promoted. Working with the local authorities, the Society is now making headway towards a new battlefield trail, has a purpose built battlefield centre in mind, and has launched the Battle of Worcester Monument Appeal to provide a suitable imposing landmark dedicated to those who died.

The Battle of Evesham is remembered by the Simon de Montfort Society, the battle benefiting from a trail and an annual memorial service.

Some years ago, the Battle of Tewkesbury site was threatened by development, leading to formation of the Battle of Tewkesbury Society, which prevented this building taking place. This Society too has been instrumental in achieving a battlefield trail and is heavily involved in the superb Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, now in its 25th year, featuring a major battle re-enactment and weekend event which is an inspiration to the Battle of Worcester Society.

 In 2007, the Battle of Worcester Society initiated contact with both other societies with a view to mutual support. It was decided to collaborate on the Three Battles Festival, at which all three organisations can exhibit and promote their work. Re-enactors from all three periods will be present, demonstrating the arms and armour involved, and sculptor Kenneth Potts will be showing his latest work for Worcester’s battlefield trail.

The event will be opened by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Stephen Inman, at 10.00 am, and admission is free.

 

For further information, please contact: -

Dilip Sarkar MBE FRHistS on 07921 503105

or

Brian Bullock on 0793 9969534