Recreating the past for live events, TV and film
Muskets and Mayhem
Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire
SG8 0BWOn the A603 near the M11, 6 miles North of Royston and 8 miles South West of Cambridge. National Trust general enquiries: 01223 206000.
Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2009, 11am to 5pm
What would you do if as a loyal follower of the King, your greatest enemy arrived right on your doorstep? How would you feel if you had fought a successful war against what you felt to be a Royal tyranny only to feel betrayed by your political masters? What was it like to fight with musket, sword and pike in a bloody civil war? Find out as Wimpole Hall returns to 1649, the unrest of the English Civil Wars and the controversial execution of King Charles I. Organised by EventPlan on behalf of The National Trust.
Top performers of The English Civil War Society bring the hall and estate to life as it might have been in this troubled time. Enjoy displays by cavalry troopers, drill with the foot soldiers, visit their encampment, see their daily life and rations, and contrast these with that of their C17th social superiors. Meet Wimpole’s owner of the time, the staunch Royalist Sir Thomas Chicheley, and discover his plans for his new estate and concerns for the future (assuming you can get a word in edgeways as he rages at having "the enemy" on his estate!). Talk with estate workers and the lower classes as they go about their daily business (and maybe see if you can spot where their village was before Thomas Chichley demolished it to create a nicer view from his new house!). Watch radical Levellers as they demand revolutionary political reform and follow military courtroom drama as they defend their views. See if you can spot the Royalist spy, and finally, cover your ears during a thrilling skirmish between Parliamentarian and Royalist soldiers. A thoroughly engaging day out for the whole family. Free children’s treasure trail. Themed menu in Old Rectory Restaurant. There's probably no better way to spend a family weekend out and about!
Timetable of displays and activities
|
Time |
Activity |
Location |
|
10.15 |
Living History commences |
Encampment |
|
11.00 |
(Saturday) Pay parade (Sunday) Gambling on the Lord’s Day! |
Encampment |
|
11.30 |
Thomas Chicheley confronts the Parliamentarian troops on his land |
Encampment |
|
11.30 |
C17th music |
Great Barn |
|
Noon |
Drill display including cannon, musket firing and cavalry troopers |
Arena |
|
12.30 |
Soldiers’ drill for children – all welcome to have a go! |
Arena |
|
12.45 |
A talk about the differences between C17th farming and later eras, by Mark Field, Head Stockman |
Old Yard, near the Great Barn |
|
1.00 |
Thomas Chicheley arguing with Parliamentarian officers whilst dining, meanwhile the soldiers are fed |
Encampment |
|
1.30 |
C17th music |
Great Barn |
|
2.00 |
Leveller discontent in the camp! |
Encampment |
|
2.00 |
C17th music |
Great Barn |
|
2.30 |
Trial of the Levellers |
Great Barn |
|
3.00 |
Parade and skirmish |
Arena |
|
3.30 |
C17th music |
Great Barn |
|
3.40 |
Trial of a suspected Royalist spy |
Encampment |
|
4.00 |
Civil War cannon firing and cavalry display |
Arena |
|
4.30 |
Final parade with lodging of the colours. (Living history continues). |
Encampment |
|
5.00 |
Living history closes |
Encampment |
In the house: Meet Thomas Chicheley, unrepentant Royalist and furious at having Parliamentarian troops on his estate.
Enjoy music by Trevor James in the house and as he accompanies Thomas Chicheley
Meet officers and soldiers in their encampment
Try on Civil War pikeman’s armour
Everyday life on a C17th farm
Meet the blacksmith in his forge
Can you spot the Royalist spy?
Trading opportunities at EventPlan events
Quality historical traders were invited to book a pitch at this event. Preference was given to traders who utilise period tents or otherwise attractively presented stands. Please click for further details of trading opportunities at EventPlan shows.
Re-enactment groups and other performers interested in taking part in our events are invited to contact us for further details; please click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation.
Visiting magnificent Wimpole Hall
Wimpole Hall is a major National Trust property with its superb Georgian house, forming part of the grandest working estate in Cambridgeshire. It includes extremely attractive park land and a working rare breeds farm. Facilities include a National Trust shop, farm shop, toyshop, second-hand bookshop, licensed Old Rectory restaurant with children's menu, Stable kitchen in the stable block and baby changing facilities.
How to get there
The hall is situated on the A603 near the M11, 6 miles North of Royston and 8 miles South West of Cambridge.
From the South: leave the M1(M) at Baldock and take the A505 NW to Royston (keep on the A505, don't enter the town). Take the A1198 N towards Huntingdon and then the A603 going NE towards Cambridge. Wimpole Hall is on the left a little further on.
From the West: Take the A428 East from the A1 at St. Neots. At the junction with the A1198 towards Royston. Turn left at the junction with the A603 and B1042 and Wimpole Hall is on the left a little further on.
From the East: from the A14/M11 Junction 14 take the M11 South to Junction 12. Wimpole Hall is on the right just after the village of Orwell.
From the North: From M11 Junction 12 take the A603 SW. Wimpole Hall is on the right just after the village of Orwell. OR From the A14 at Godmanchester, adjacent to Huntingdon, take the A1198 SE towards Royston. Turn left at the junction with the A603 and B1042 and Wimpole Hall is on the left a little further on.
A brief history of re-enactment
Interested in how and why re-enactment has become so popular in recent years? Click on the link to read a history of re-enactment.
Other events 2009
Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan this year.
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Updated 9 May 2009