On Saturday week – 09 December – The Merchant’s House will be ‘visited’ by a detachment of Civil War soldiers from Devereux’s Regiment of Foot who will be demonstrating aspects of 17th century life and bringing the household to life.
The aims of the day for The Merchant’s House will be to provide an immersive experience of a busy home as it was in the 1600’s when The Merchant’s House first came about. The visit of the Devereux regiment is to encourage new volunteers and supporters to The Merchant’s House but also bring a very important part of the Town’s history to life at the same time of year (the Battle of Marlborough also took place in December, albeit in 1642).
The Devereux’s Regiment are part of the English Civil War Society (ECWS) and were last in Marlborough to attend the mass battle in 2019, and being part of the ECWS they are likely to be involved next time, which may be in the Summer of next year. This particular group has a focus on living history so they were pleased to have already found their ‘home’ for the event next year if it goes ahead.
The event is open to the public, running between 10am and 5pm. The cost for adults will be £5, children will be free. Visitors will be able to walk through the house at their own pace, speaking to re-enactors about their 17th century role, and also speak to our own guides about the building itself.
This is living history being used as an educational tool, as it is an interactive way of engaging with young people in their history where they will be able to see, hear and smell (cooking!) what life would have been like in their town over 350 years ago. To add to the 17th century feel, there will also be present members of the household staff, a vicar, a scribe, a lute player, a weaver, and a gunsmith.
Marlborough’s Mayor, Cllr Nick Fogg will also be in attendance, along with the Macebearers and Ceremonial Officer, and will give a short talk on the towns Maces, which are Cromwellian and are significant for the period that is being recreated for this day. It is planned for the Mayor and his colleagues from the Town council to be escorted (at 10am) from the Town Hall to The Merchant House by a troop of four or five of the twenty-five strong detachment of Devereux’s Regiment of Foot.
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