Battle of Evesham festival

As he rode out of Evesham up the bare slope of Greenhill, his standard – a lone lion with divided tail – proudly displayed, the task confronting Simon de Montfort must have seemed formidable indeed. The terrain clearly favoured Edward and the royalists were heavily advantaged, hugely outnumbering de Montfort’s men three to one.

De Montfort attacked without delay, leading his men into what was to be a massacre, as Edward’s vengeance was terrible and fierce. De Montfort's knights tried to force their way through the centre. Attempts to break out, first through one wing, then the other, proved unsuccessful, being defeated with heavy casualties.

Edward had selected twelve of his strongest and most able men-at-arms to seek out and kill Simon de Montfort once the battle was under way. He was surrounded and unhorsed, yet continued to fight bravely on foot. Swords clashed as a storm brewed overhead. As thunder roared, de Montfort was encircled. Several beat him to the ground and struck with their steel. Finally, Roger de Mortimer swung the final and fatal blow. His body was cruelly dismembered.

Many of de Montfort's leading supporters also died. Bodies and the wounded lay everywhere and blood ran through the Abbey Church.The last of Simon de Montfort's knights were eventually overcome close by the spring which became known as Battle Well.

The Abbey and town were pillaged. Robert of Gloucester described it as “a murder of Evesham for battle it was none”. De Montfort's remains, and the bodies of his son Henry and that of Hugh le Despenser, were carried away by the monks and buried near the High Altar of the Abbey.

A feature of the battle, one of the bloodiest battles ever to be fought in England, was that the royalists took few hostages, contrary to the usual practice of ransoming important figures. The losses suffered by Edward’s troops were relatively light.

After the battle, King Henry was found unharmed and set free, and the royal authority restored. For the time being the experiment of limiting the royal power was over and Prince Edward’s influence was dominant even before he became king in 1272.

Travel back to 1265 with re-enactment groups from all over the country who will entertain you with various demonstrations of medieval living.

Visitors are invited to step back in time to the 13th Century when the Battle of Evesham is re-enacted on 5 & 6 August 2023. The free* to enter event, takes place in the Heart of Evesham, featuring a medieval festival and camp with life-demonstrations of cookery, weapons and medicine, plus the main battle re-enactment. Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to attend, to experience life in the 13th century and witness a battle which was instrumental in leading to the democracy we know today.

The action-packed weekend will include hundreds of re-enactors fighting ‘to the death’ on both days. The Battle of Evesham Grand Parade, with mounted knights in full armor will wind its way through the town the Saturday. On Evesham’s Crown Meadow, visitors can watch medieval musicians and dancing at the camp, along with craftsmen demonstrations and medieval cookery.

Displays of 13th Century medicine, weapon demonstrations and the chance to see a mini Trebuchet in action will educate and intrigue the whole family. In addition, next to the camp, there will be falconry and equestrian displays, treasure trails and children’s activities. Various stalls and food outlets will be selling a range of dishes and snacks plus there will be a licenced bar.

Date: Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August 2023.

Place: Crown and Corporation Meadows, Evesham.

Plus other locations around the town.