Evesham decorated with baron shields as it prepares to do battle!
The town of Evesham will be decorated this weekend (3 & 4 August) with 40 hand painted baron shields as the town prepares to host the Battle of Evesham. The mediaeval, free to attend popular festival will feature a camp with life-demonstrations of cookery, weapons and medicine plus the battle re-enactment featuring over 400 re-enactors and 12 knights on war-horses plus a working Siege-Engine throwing watermelons 100 metres across the Battle Arena. Around 15,000 residents and visitors are expected to attend the annual event and experience life in the 13th century.
The organisers have also created a special free Discover Evesham app. Visitors will be able to point their mobile device at the shields to witness a 3D knight appearing to challenge them. They will be able to read his profile and discover whether he survived the bloody battle. The profiles will also be put on the battle website to provide an irresistible insight into who was there and what their backstories were.
Mick Hurst, one of the volunteers spearheading this year’s festival and whose company Areca Design created the app said “Making the shields has been a herculean, but enjoyable, labour of love. It will be a sight to behold and raise money for the festival as we are seeking business sponsorship for each shield. The mobile app wizardry bringing the shields to life is amazing and Evesham is in for a real treat this weekend”.
Mick’s wife Sue had the initial idea after being inspired by the way Tewkesbury people celebrate their mediaeval festival by adorning the town with banners and flags. Sue, a credit controller by day, has hand-painted the shields since she volunteered to take on the task six months ago.
The action-packed weekend will include re-enactors fighting ‘to the death’ on both days. The Battle of Evesham Grand Parade, with mounted knights in full armour will wind its way through the town on the Saturday. On Evesham’s Crown Meadow, visitors can watch medieval musicians and dancing along with craftsmen demonstrations and medieval cookery. Next to the camp, there will be falconry and equestrian displays, treasure trails and children’s activities including face painting and arts and crafts. Stalls and food outlets will be selling a range of dishes and snacks plus there will be a licenced bar.
The last Battle of Evesham was held in 2018 and then in 2015 when the town commemorated the 750th anniversary of the historic Battle of Evesham with a fortnight of events, tours, guest speakers and a festival featuring one of the largest mid-13th century re-enactments in the country with a parade of over 200 horses and soldiers. The Battle itself was fought on 4 August 1265, 50 years after the Magna Carta between Prince Edward and Simon de Montfort. Over 4,000 soldiers were killed on Evesham’s streets and in the surrounding countryside.
The organisers are also keen to encourage people to help with the event and be an ambassador. Assistance is required for bucket collections, litter picking, marshalling and car-parking duties. For more information on how you can support your local battle, please visit the website at www.battleofevesham.co.uk or contact Kate on 07921 030286 or email to [email protected]
