New Model Tours

One of my new followers recently brought his historical tour operation to my attention. As you will see from my Blog, I really love visiting battlefields and historical sites. Although I have had no personal expereince with this company, I really like what they stand for:

"New Model Tours has been formed with a view to sharing with you a seminal moment in the history of  England, a time when democracy as we know it was formed, and  the idea that the divine right of a Monarch to reign unfettered was challenged and changed"

Since I am also very interested in the English Civil Wars, New Model Tours seems tailor-made for fellow enthusiasts. Please feel free to contact David directly. This is not a paid ad....caveat emptor.

http://www.new-model-tours.com/contact.html

New Model Tours
History made real

Welcome to New Model Tours we specialise in creating personalised tours for people visiting the UK to sites within Northamptonshire and neighbouring counties with links to the English Civil War. In Northamptonshire most notably Naseby where the decisive battle of the war took place and where the way England was ruled would be changed forever. Learn how the Parliamentarian and Royalist troops were deployed in this epic battle whose outcome would tip the balance of power towards Parliament and seal the Kings fate. We can cater for individuals or small parties, arrange transportation to the battle sites, museums, and other places of interest, give informative talks on the war in general and it's main characters. Use the contact page to let us know about anything you may be interested in and if we can provide something catering to your particular interests we will endeavour to do so. We also offer visits to some of the local breweries where traditional English Ale is brewed, including a brewery where the water used is drawn from a well once used by the King of England. See the beer and brewing page for more information.

Naseby Fight: 370th Anniversary

On my latest trip to England, my brother Clive and I spent several days at Naseby, participating in and viewing the 370th Anniversary of the battle of Naseby, June 14th, 1645.

We arrived in Naseby on the evening of June12th and stayed at an excellent Bed & Breakfast in the centre of Naseby, the Old Post House. 

I am a member of the Naseby Battlefield Project. The organisation's mission is to preserve the heritage of Naseby. The 370th Anniversary celebrations were organised by the Naseby Battlefield Project and the Sealed Knot. Although Clive and I are not re-enactors, I did volunteer myself, Clive and my nephew Peter for duty on the first day of the event on June 13th. The three of us had a great time, despite the steady rain that fell through much of the day. I warmly recommend the Project to anyone who loves history, the English Civil War and the preservation of such important historic sites as Naseby. Please consider joining the Project.

I would like to start a United States chapter of the Naseby Battlefield Project. If anyone is interested, please contact me.

The Royalist army marched to Naseby from their bivouacs at and around Market Harborough. These photos were taken at dusk on the first day of the celebrations, not dawn as they should have been. 

The Old Grammar School, Market Harborough

St Dionysius Church, Market Harborough

After the re-enactment and dinner in Market Harborough, Clive and I took a reflective and rather solemn look at the historic battlefield at dusk. Although the farmland is much changed since the Enclosure of the old great fields, much still remains. Dust Hill, Broadmoor and Mill Hill are clearly visible.

The map provided by the UK Battlefields Resource Centre is very useful.

Here are some images taken from various points around the battlefield.

The re-enactment started with a skirmish between a Royalist picket in Naseby village and the advancing New Model Army which quickly chased off the Royalists.

Please excuse the time-stamped images, clearly my mistake. Lord Arthur Hazelrigg, the President of the Naseby Battlefield Project, personally greeted the volunteers in the morning and gave us our assignments. My team took traffic patrol in the morning and parking duty in the afternoon.

The afternoon events began with a re-enactment of the the fight between Okey's Dragoons and the Royalist Right Wing cavalry along Sulby Hedges.

The main battle was re-fought during the afternoon by the members of the Sealed Knot.

After the final defeat of Rupert's Bluecoats, which was movingly performed by the Sealed Knot, the two armies formed up and saluted each other, The Royalist regiments then marched past the victorious New Model Army, which then itself marched off the field.