Civil war returns to Rotherham for history festival

The battle, first fought in 1643 when the Parliamentary Roundheads backed by the town were attacked by Royalist troops, will be recreated twice in Clifton Park on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday May 12.

The Sealed Knot will perform a pike-and-musket drill in All Saints’ Square on the Saturday at both 11.30am and 1pm before marching to the park for the battle at 2pm. The battle will be re-enacted on the Sunday at 2pm.

The festival — organised by the Rotherham Heritage Educatio Group,  also marks Rotherham’s role in the Wars of the Roses and kicks off on Friday with a Latin Mass at Rotherham Minster at 7.15pm.

The Sung Mass, celebrated by the Rev Michael Jackson, would be recognised by one of the town's most illustrious sons — Thomas Rotherham, Chancellor of England and Archbishop of York, who was born in Rotherham in 1423.

He was deeply involved in the Wars of the Roses, being imprisoned in the Tower of London by Richard III.

Music from the time of Richard will be heard at the Minster at 7.30pm tomorrow on Saturday when the church will host the York Waits, who will give a performance of the White Rose and the Red, as well as songs, dances and instrumental music, featuring period instruments, from the later part of the 15th century.

Next Thursday, May 9, is Ascension Day and at 7.15pm another special service - a  Sung Mass in English, will celebrate the 1549 Eucharist from the First Book of Common Prayer.

On Saturday, May 11, both Rotherham Minster and the town’s rare Chapel on the Bridge will be open to the public from 10.30am until 4pm, with a tour of the Minster at 11am and the Chapel at 2pm.

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The  Sealed Knot will also be holding 17th century exhibitions and demonstrations in the Minster Church Yard from 10am until 4pm.  

For further information about any of these events, contact Anne Hicks, chairman of the Rotherham Heritage Education Group, on 01709 561320.