Tewkesbury Medieval Festival this Weekend!

This weekend sees the little town of Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, adorning its historic cap as it holds the largest medieval festival in Europe over a two day spectacular.

Tewkesbury is a small Gloucestershire market town standing at the confluence of the rivers Severn and Avon. It has a magnificent Abbey - now the Parish Church and the second largest in the country. It also has a wealth of medieval buildings and is so well preserved it is one of just six 'gem' towns in the country. Every summer the town centre is decorated with colourful medieval banners, based on those carried in the battle of Tewkesbury.

Now in its 25th year, this completely volunteer organised event, is more popular than ever with locals and historians alike, as the whole town becomes involved in the festival which, centers around the re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury won in 1471.

The battle was the last in the battle of the Civil War of the Roses and took place on May 4th 1471. Both the Houses of York (the White Rose) and Lancaster (the Red Rose) fought viciously to prove who should be King.

The War of the Roses began because Henry VI was considered insane and the country was without a strong leader. Edward of York was believed to be the most able leader left and was was declared King in 1461. He had Henry locked in the tower of London so his wife Margaret of Anjou fled to France with their son who was also called Edward.

When Edward reached 18 Margaret decided to return to England and re-claim the throne for her son. She landed at Weymouth on April 14, 1471, and set off for Wales, where Jasper Tudor awaited with re-enforcements for her small army. As they approached the city of Gloucester they gathered further support for their cause but King Edward locked the City Gates to prevent their attack.

The next crossing point over the River Severn was Tewkesbury, and though the party hoped to cross the River to safety, Edward's army far outnumbered and out-skilled that of Margaret's, who were, in the end, bitterly defeated. It is said that many tried to flea the scene and cross the River Severn, only to be killed by Edward's men. This has lead the nearby Meadow to be known as 'Bloody Meadow'.

Margaret was lucky and escaped with some of her ladies to a Priory in Malvern, her son Edward however, was killed and buried in Tewkesbury Abbey. The Prince's last resting place is still marked today with a brass plaque, which sits directly beneath a ceiling boss of the Yorkist badge; The Sun in Splendour' within the Abbey.

The Festival promises to be very entertaining and interesting and i'm very much looking forwards to visiting this event for the first time. The website lists the events program:-

Saturday

• 11am - Festival opens.
• 11:45am - Mayors Party, with Colchester Watch arrives.
• 12 noon - Official opening by our patron, actor and historian Robert Hardy, outside the public information tent, next to the Black Bear Banner.
• 12 non - Archery competition for re-enactors, in the amphitheatre on Windmill Hill.
• 3pm - Falconry display on the battle arena.
• 3:15pm - Troops start to muster for battle.
• 4pm - Battle re-enactment.
• 6pm - Festival site closes and events move into town.
• 7pm - Re-enactment of the storming of the Abbey.
• 7.30pm - Trial and be-heading of captured Lancastrians followed by Compline (in the Abbey) and presentation of the Tewkesbury Indenture.

Sunday

• 9:15am - Eucharist led by the Vicar of Tewkesbury Abbey at the Kings Camp.
• 11am - Festival site opens.
• 11.30am - Guided walk around the battle field.
• 12 noon - Archery competition.
• 1.30pm - Guided walk around the battle field.
• 2pm - Falconry display on the battle arena.
• 3pm - Battle re-enactment.
• 5pm - Festival ends.

Battlefield walks

Regular guided tours of the battlefield, are conducted during the festival, with a full description of the events leading up to the Battle of Tewkesbury, the conduct of the battle, and the aftermath. These walks are taken at a leisurely pace, and last about two hours.

The walks are organised by the Tewkesbury battlefield Society, which exists to promote knowledge of the battlefield.

Program of events and activities

Tewkesbury Medieval Festival includes a huge re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury, featuring around 2000 warriors, including knights in full armour, gunners, with cannon and hand guns, archers, with the traditional English Longbow, and men at arms with swords, spears and other weapons of the period, all brought to life with a lively and informed commentary, and taking place on part of the site of the original battle of 1471.

The battle in full swing

When not fighting many of them will be living for the weekend as soldiers on the march, sleeping in authentic medieval tents, eating food of the period, cooked over open fires in copies of medieval pots and pans, and preparing for the battle as they would have done in 1471.

Many of the traders on our market are just as authentic, dressed 15^th century traders, they use well researched skills to do everything from making swords and armour, to preparing ginger bread and hand stitching beautiful gowns and colourful tunics.

Medieval entertainer

Outside of the battlefield

Throughout the summer the main streets of Tewkesbury are decorated with banners displaying the arms of some of those who fought in the battle and the event co-incides with the town's entry into The Heart of England in Bloom. Look out too for colourful floral displays and specially decorated windows.

A number of events connected with the festival also take place in the town. Notably the parade including the Colchester Watch, with their Mayor and ours mustering in the Black Bear at ten to ten to march to the site, our tithe collectors will be demanding money of the traders.

There is always a worry that events such as this might verge into the romantic elements of Medieval history, with a possible New Age feel but i shall report back next week and we shall see!

Please visit the website to make a donation, view maps and see the history of the Battle and Festival in full:-

http://www.tewkesburymedievalfestival.org/index.html