The Siege of Bolingbroke Castle 1643

360^th anniversary re-enactment at Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, Friday 10 to Sunday 12 October 2003

An event to mark the anniversary of the siege of the castle, which brought about the Battle of Winceby on 11 October 1643. Featuring around 300  members of the English Civil War Society and Forlorn Hope, this weekend of activities was organised by EventPlan Limited on behalf of the Friends of Bolingbroke Castle and Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire. Supported by the Local Heritage Initiative, a partnership between the Heritage Lottery Fund, Nationwide Building Society and the Countryside Agency. Click for photographs or visit the Friends' web site (link above) and find out more about the siege, the Battle of Winceby and Old Bolingbroke Castle as it is today.

The weather was kind, the local people friendly, the performers excellent and the capacity 4000-strong audience extremely happy - what more could we ask for?  This event proved to be one of the most enjoyable we've ever staged and featured some extremely impressive action from the re-enactors. But most of all, the wreath laying at Winceby and Bolingbroke brought home to everybody present that re-enactment is not just about entertainment, but commemoration of the soldiers (and civilians) that found themselves caught up in a bloody civil war, many paying with their lives. All in all, a truly superb weekend of activities, encompassing a special schools' day, commemorations, two wreath laying and spectacular battle re-enactments.

Timetable of events

Friday 10 October - schools living history day, 9.30am to 3pm

Following on from classroom activities and workshops devoted to the history of the castle and its importance in the civil war, the Schools’ Living History Day, presented by members of the English Civil War Society, brought history to life in a highly visual, exciting and hands-on manner.

Pupils enjoyed the opportunity to “step back in time” and meet members of the garrison of the castle as they prepare to withstand a siege. Officers, soldiers, civilians and camp followers were present, carrying out their duties and demonstrating what life was like – and how different it was from today.

Arriving at the castle, visiting schoolchildren were gruffly challenged by the sentries, then led to meet their guide around the castle. He or she introduced the background to the war and the siege, then conducted the children around the castle via a series of different military and civilian characters (for example, the commanding officer, clerk, musketeers, pikemen, artillerymen, drummer, cook, camp follower and others) each explaining how they fitted into the historical mosaic.

Many different aspects of the C17th were highlighted, including why the war happened, what the protagonists believed, the social order, fashion & clothing, money, food & cooking, weaponry and tactics, wounds, sickness and health, the role of women and what it was like to be a child at the time. 

Children learned that life could be very harsh, that the civil war was not the “romantic” conflict it has been portrayed as by some, but a terrible blight that killed more people in proportion to the total population than World War One. They were thus given the opportunity to see behind the stereotype image of “right but dour Roundheads” and  “glamorous but wrong cavaliers”, deciding for themselves which side they would have supported in a war that divided families, villages, towns and counties through strong religious belief and matters of political principle.

As a finale, they learned period “musket” and “pike” drill and battle tactics whilst formed into a “company of Foote”. The experience formed part of an overall project with numerous pre and post-event classroom learning opportunities, including visits to schools by the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire.

 Saturday 11 October - Winceby and Bolingbroke

11am onwards: Living history with the Royalist garrison as they prepared to defend the castle, plus Parliamentarian siege camp (adjacent to the main car parking area).

11.15am: Bolingbroke: The Royalists stand to. Summons to surrender re-enacted.

Noon: Winceby: Tactical cavalry and infantry demonstration, brief talk about the battle, and commemorative wreath laying.

12.30pm: Bolingbroke: Infantry drill and firing display at the castle, followed by children’s musket and pike drill.

1.00pm: Winceby: Cavalry march off towards Bolingbroke.

1.45 approx:  Cavalry marching from Winceby arrive at Bolingbroke, representing Parliamentarian reinforcements.

2.00pm: Guided tour of the C17th fort in the Castle's "Rout Yard".

3.30-4.15pm: Battle at the Castle.

5pm. Living history closes.

Sunday 12 October - finale

11am: Living history commences in the castle and at parliamentarian siege camp.

12.30pm: Infantry drill and firing

1.15pm: Children’s musket and pike drill.

2pm: Tour of the fort.

3pm: Castle closes to visitors.

3.30pm: C17th Battle.

4.30pm approx. Formal Surrender and march out by garrison, followed by commemorative wreath laying.

5pm: end of displays.

Siege timetable Version 4, 10 September 2003

How to visit Old Bolingbroke and the castle

Grid reference TF 349 650.

Click here for a map of the village (published by CastleUK.net).

From the West: A158 to Skegness from Lincoln via Wragby and Horncastle. A few miles east of Horncastle, take the B1195 Spilsby Road, then turn right towards Old Bolingbroke at Winceby House (just past the famous battlefield).

From the East: A158 from Skegness to Partney, then A16 to Spilsby, where you turn right on the B1195 towards Horncastle. A few miles on, follow the sign left towards Old Bolingbroke.

From the North: A16 from Louth to Spilsby, then as above.

From the South: A16 from Boston via Sibsey and Stickney, turning West onto the A155 Coningsby Road at West Keal. Follow the brown castle sign to the right after a mile or so.

Information for schools

The Schools' Living History Day was quickly fully booked and proved a very successful day.  Please click here for  information.

Back to   Events  or  Events at Bolingbroke Castle 

Links  to  EventPlan Home Page

Friends of Bolingbroke Castle

A brief history of Bolingbroke Castle

Bolingbroke Castle in the English Civil War (including the Battle of Winceby)

Fishpond or Fort? - the Bolingbroke Castle earthwork

A brief history of the English Civil War

Updated 4 February 2004