Civil war returns to Shropshire border
A village will come under siege this weekend as the English Civil War returns to the region nearly 400 years after the notorious period of British history.
The English Civil War Society will be visiting the Brampton Bryan, a small village near Bucknell on the border of south Shropshire and north Herefordshire, to recreate the two famous sieges of Brampton Bryan Castle of 1643 and 1644.
The society will bring more than 150 members, together with cannons, muskets and pikes for a full-scale re-enactment featuring cavalry and a living history village, where and visitors can see artefacts associated with the sieges.and children can try on arms and armour.
This year will be a re-enactment of the thrilling moment when, during the first siege, Lady Brilliana Harley sent her forces under cover of night to blow up the Royalists’ gunpowder magazine.
Sheridan Swinson, owner of Aardvark Books, which is hosting the event, which takes place roughly every two years, said: "It’s exciting to see how, with each re-enactment, the society finds new aspects of the sieges to bring to life for contemporary audiences.
"At the time of its first siege during the English Civil War in 1643, Brampton Bryan was second only to Ludlow as the most important castle in the central Marches.
"A detachment of some 600 to 800 Royalist men marched up from Hereford under the command of Sir William Vansittart. Brampton Bryan Castle was in the command of Lady Brilliana Harley, the wife of Sir Robert Harley, a prominent parliamentarian who remained in London throughout the siege.
"After a bloody six-week conflict during which Vansittart’s detachment lost over 50 men, the Royalists were forced to withdraw.
"The next year however – following the death of Lady Harley – they returned and eventually the defenders were forced to surrender. The children of the family were captured and imprisoned in Ludlow Castle."
The society will bring a Living History Village comprising numerous tents demonstrating authentic crafts and pastimes of the period.
Battlefield historian Martin Hackett, author of Lost Battlefields of Wales, will return with his large-scale models of the Siege of Brampton Bryan and a model of the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross.
Adrian Durkin, former keeper of Dudley Castle, will provide the opportunity for children to try on arms and armour. In addition, there will be tables with original artefacts on show.
Hot food, a bar and refreshments will be available on Saturday and Sunday, entry is £4 for adults, under-16s and parking are free of charge.
For more details and a programme of events during the weekend, visit www.aardvark-books.com.
