The Marquess of Newcastle's Regiment of Foote, part of the Sealed Knot Society, were at Bolling Hall for a 'living history' event, showing people what life was like during the English Civil War in the 1640s.
Bolling Hall was a Royalist base during the Sieges of Bradford in 1642 and 1643. The inhabitants of Bradford, a small settlement at that time, were Puritans who for various reasons supported the Parlimentarians. It's said that the Royalist commander, the Earl of Newcastle, while staying in Bolling Hall, was woken three times by a ghostly girl in white, beseeching him to 'pity poor Bradford'. As a result, the town was spared a massacre by his troops.
The Sealed Knot Society, founded over 50 years ago, is the largest re-enactment society in Europe. It aims to honour those who died in the many battles of the English Civil War and to educate the public about those wars, and the life and times of people in that period of history. They stage mock battles, and visit schools and museums to show people their costumes, weapons, cooking and household items, all faithfully recreating the period.
Years ago, I believe they were at Fountains Abbey, where we happened to see some of their tents and stalls during our annual visit. It certainly enhanced the setting of the ruins.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see such re-enactments I am glad I live today!
They bring history to life.
ReplyDeleteGreat name for the reenactors. The Americans don't go back quite so far in history with their reenactments. Costumes and crafts are always my interests, rather than the battles.
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting!
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