Article and images by Jonathan White
Nantwich’s annual Civil War re-enactment will return after a two-year hiatus on Saturday 21st January 2023
This year’s event is also the 50th anniversary of the first Battle of Nantwich re-enactment in the town.
The Sealed Knot’s faithful troops will gather in Nantwich’s historic town centre to re-enact the battle which took place in 1644, marking the end of the town’s siege during the English Civil War.
A variety of activities will take place during the day at St Mary’s Church, Acton; St Mary’s Church, Nantwich; Nantwich Museum on Pillory Street; and the town square – along with a parade and the battle re-enactment itself on Mill Island.
There will be live entertainment around town – including Plough Witches, Domesday Morris Dancers, a hog roast and tours of St Mary’s Church, Nantwich.
Battle of Nantwich walking tours (1.5 hours duration) will be setting off at 10am and 11.30am (£5 per person) from Nantwich Museum.
Then, a parade of several hundred Sealed Knot troops will leave Malbank School & Sixth Form College at 12.45pm and travel along Welsh Row to arrive in the town centre at 1pm.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the war memorial on the town square at 1.15pm to commemorate people who died in the Civil War and other battles.
There will be a troop inspection at 1.30pm after which the Sealed Knot troops will parade to Mill Island to re-enact the 1644 battle.
Spectators are welcome onto Mill Island from 1.45pm (entry costs £3 for adults, £1 for children aged 5-15 years, or £6 for a family of four).
Volunteers are also being invited to help with marshalling on the day.
Duties include: assisting with the set up, traffic control on Welsh Row, directing visitors and crowd control, selling wristbands, assisting with the take down, and litter picking on Mill Island.
Anyone interested should email battleofnantwich@gmail.com for more details.
Liz Parkin, chair of the Holly Holy Day committee which runs the event, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone of hosting the re-enactment for 50 years and are looking forward to the full battle commencing once again after a two-year break.
“Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers for helping to make this happen.”
For further information please visit the Battle of Nantwich Facebook page or website.
