Battle of Naseby
370 years after the Battle of Naseby, on 13 and 14 June 2015, the village of Naseby was full of English Civil War re-enactors to commemorate the battle. It began on Saturday, despite the rain, with a skirmish in the village.
A mini fete was also held in the church. The action then moved to the battlefield where the Sealed Knot re-enacted key moments from the battle, such as the action at Sulby Hedge and the Royalist attack on the Parliamentarian baggage train.
Then, in spectacular style, they recreated the battle itself with over 1,500 men and women taking part. For over an hour, the countryside crackled with musket fire and sound of horses’ hooves as they thundered around the battlefield.
Drumhead church service at Naseby Church
On Sunday morning there was a very moving Drumhead church service outside the village church with the Trustees and Patrons of the Naseby Battlefield Project, the local community and all the Sealed Knot resplendent in their period clothing.
Meet the Ancestors
This was followed by a very special ‘meet the ancestors’ where the descendants of those who took part met in the church.
Then it was back to the battlefield for a repeat of the previous afternoon, although the hundreds of visitors enjoyed better weather. There was even a special Libertea to bring things full circle and commemorate the Magna Carta.
Earl Spencer visiting the trade stands
Earl Spencer and a number of the other prominent patrons were there watching the unfolding events and taking an interest in the stands. Lord Hazlerigg was even seen helping out on car parking.
A big thank you must go to the Sealed Knot for putting on an amazing show, to those Trustees and volunteers who worked so tirelessly to make the event such a success. It must also go to the Pike and Shot Society, the Northampton Battlefields Society, heritage groups, wargamers, and artists and photographers from across the county as well as our visiting poet Clare Mulley for their support and participation. But the biggest thank you must go to the local community who allowed us to disrupt their weekend. We hope you all enjoyed it.
Mike Ingram
Trustee and Historian
Naseby Battlefield Project