Tewkesbury Medieval Festival

The Battle of Tewkesbury
Wars of the Roses
(& Game of Thrones)

Through the Spring, three of us in the family watched the Game of Thrones box set on our NowTV box. The inspiration came from my grandson who had watched the complete series several times (that's series one to six: series seven is due to start on UK TV on July 17th). Digging into the story behind the series, we found that the author, George R R Martin, had based much on the English Wars of the Roses -

The novels and their adaptations base aspects of their settings, characters, and plot on events in European history. A principal inspiration for the novels is the English Wars of the Roses (1455–85) between the houses of Lancaster and York, reflected in Martin's houses of Lannister and Stark. Most of Westeros is reminiscent of high medieval western Europe, from lands and cultures, to the palace intrigue, castles, and knightly tournaments.

 Some weeks after watching the series, whilst browsing the web, we came across an event: Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. This event is well-established, running annually since 1984; and this year on the 8th and 9th of July.

Click here for Festival website - opens in new window

From the Festival website: It is now widely regarded as the largest free medieval gathering of its kind in Europe, and attracts re-enactors, traders and entertainers, and visitors from all over the world.

Its central attraction is a re-enactment of the Battle of Tewkesbury, on part of the site of the original 1471 battlefield.

There is a parade and a busy and colourful medieval market that has everything from a suit of armour or a fabulous gown to a pot of herbs or bag of sweets on sale. A wide range of caterers supply high quality food and drink, including ale specially brewed for the occasion.

What's more, it's free (the event, not the ale).

From Wikipedia:

The Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place on 4 May 1471, was one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. The forces loyal to the House of Lancaster were completely defeated by those of the rival House of York under their monarch, King Edward IV.

In addition there's a campsite at a very reasonable cost just a few minutes from the battleground and the town. Having a motorhome, we've booked to stay on the site.

Tewkesbury is only about 40 miles from home for us, and it's a very pleasant town. We've visited the town before and liked it a lot. All being well, we'll be arriving there on Friday June 7th.

Click here for Tewkesbury town plan - opens in new window

Sanctuary, or Edward IV Withheld by Ecclesiastics from Pursuing Lancastrian Fugitives into a Church (! Tewkesbury Abbey).
Painting by Richard Burchett.

Tewkesbury Abbey, 2011.
Photo by: Saffron Blaze, via http://www.mackenzie.co
Main photo at top of post by Antony Stanley - https://www.flickr.com/photos/antonystanley/3714182486