Last weekend we put on our thermals and had a trip to
Nantwich. Every year the townsfolk celebrate Holly Holy Day, which
commemorates the battle which took place here on 25 January 1644.
During the Civil Wars the loyalties of counties,
towns and families were divided between the cause of Charles I, who believed in
the ‘divine right’ of kings to do as he wished with his country, and the Parliamentarians
who believed that the King should govern with the consent of parliament.
Cheshire, too, was split between the two factions: Chester
was staunchly royalist, but Nantwich was Parliamentarian. During the winter of 1643, Nantwich was
besieged by Lord John Byron’s forces. On
25 January, Sir Thomas Fairfax (‘Black Tom’) lifted the siege and many Royalist
troops were captured.
The Sealed Knot and the Holly Holy Day Society
stage a
thrilling re-enactment of the battle annually at Mill Island after a
procession through the town centre. As you can see, the combatants sport
wonderfully detailed costumes. During the battle, cannon and musket
are fired, and a good time
is had by all. We really enjoyed it!
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