Marlborough will be under attack this coming weekend (27, 28 July) when the English Civil War Society hold another re-enactment of The Battle of Marlborough (the original having taken place in 1642).
The result will (probably?) be the same as the first time nearly four hundred years ago when the the King’s Army of Lord Digby attacked the town – defended by several hundred ‘poorly armed men’ which ended with the Royalists infiltrating, looting and setting parts of the Town ablaze, which hopefully will be left out of this weekend’s re-enactment.
Saturday’s activities will start at 11.30 when the Cavalry of the King’s Army and units of the Roundhead Army will assemble at the St Peter’s end of the High Street and march along the Northern carriageway to Kingsbury Street before venturing up to The Common for the main battle scenes.
Also in the centre of the town on both days there will be a ‘Living History’ programme with a display in Priory Gardens between 11am and 5pm, and The Merchants House will ‘come to life’ between 11am and 4pm.
Later, the Battle commences on The Common. On Saturday the ‘Battle of Marlborough’ starts at 3pm and lasts nearly an hour. Mayor Mervyn Hall will be present to inspect the Town’s defenders and engage in the ‘Parley’, the negotiation between the Commanders of both sides that preceded the actual battle in 1642. Lots of noise, cannons firing, plenty of shouting and the unmistakable sound of cavalry charging.
On Sunday there will be wreath-laying ceremony where Town and ECWS wreaths will be laid under the commemorative Blue Plaque on the wall of The Castle & Ball hotel on the High Street.
This will be followed later by a further battle re-enactment on The Common, starting at 3pm, again lasting about an hour. A noisy but fun and educational weekend.
Three Town Council grant award cheques handed out this week to successful applicant groups
