Villages set for Battle of Marston Moor commemoration (From York Press)

Villages set for Battle of Marston Moor commemoration

8:22am Friday 17th June 2011 in News

VILLAGES on the outskirts of York are preparing to be transformed into major historical encampments to commemorate the largest battle on British soil, while helping to raise money for charity.

The Battle of Marston Moor site at Marston Grange will welcome more than 100 Royalist troop re-enactors, from July 1 to 3, to recreate the encampment and to raise money for the MS Society and York Archaeological Trust, a registered educational charity.

The re-enactors will also establish a field hospital at Bilton-in-Ainsty and more living history, with cannon emplacements at Long Marston. Visitors can take a guided tour of the battlefield site, which in 1644 saw five armies, 46,000 parliamentarian and royalist men, fight to determine the control of the north of England.

Recreated uniforms, weapons and archaeological finds from the 400-acre site will be displayed and explained to help visitors visualise the events in the run up to, and during the battle.

Activities over the weekend include talks held by The Cromwell Association and The Battlefields Trust, musket and pike drills, walks of the battlefield, live archaeology, participatory craft activities and a battle-themed treasure hunt for children. For details, visit jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk/events-calendar