Event Details – Leicester Museums

Event Description

Includes a living-history camp, talks and re-enactments!

Join us as we commemorate the 380th anniversary of the Civil War Siege of Leicester, the bloodiest 48 hours in the town’s history.

To mark this pivotal event in the city’s past, the Militias of Anglia will host a living-history camp in the Newarke from 10am-4pm on the 7th and 8th June, where people can discover what life was like in the town in 1645.

With the Civil War looming the men will have to conduct regular drill practice with their muskets and swords and are even looking for youngsters they can train too - are you brave enough to enlist?

Newarke Houses

Join Historic Echoes at Newarke Houses Museum and explore the tools and technology for attack and defence during the British Civil Wars. You can create your own warrant to serve in the Leicester Militia, as well as sign up to resist the army of the 'Prince of Plunder' (and learn how Prince Rupert gained that nickname)!

You can also discover the circumstances that created the deadliest wars in Britain's history and how they led to Leicester's bloodiest 48 hours.

There will be short talks suitable for all the family, hourly, throughout the day, followed by question-and-answer sessions. This is the perfect way to mark the 380th anniversary of the Siege of Leicester.

Re-enactement

Each day from 2-3pm there will be a re-enactment of the Battle for the Newarke, where some of the fiercest fighting was held. Watch as the defenders of Leicester desperately attempt to hold back the King’s forces with canon, muskets, pikes and swords!