Article from page 19 of Dickon Independent issue 70

Blore Heath Battle Re-enactment

On Sunday 21st September we went to see the annual re-enactment of the battle of Blore Heath, a Yorkist victory in 1459. The site is now private land and only open to the public on this anniversary weekend in September.

The first stall we found was birds of prey. We were allowed to stroke some of the smaller owls and later one of us held an owl on a strong glove.

Then the barber surgeon was recounting his cures and making us all grimace, glad to have twenty-first century medicine!

A fashion show demonstrated how clothing denoted your position in society. The peasants’ tatty linen contrasted with the sumptuous velvet and jewels of Queen Margaret of Anjou.

The re-enactors were happy to talk about their lifestyle. The tents are very comfortably furnished with proper beds - not a sleeping bag in sight! Sir John Donne was there with his portable altar and triptych painting of his family with the Virgin and Child, though this wasn’t completed until 1478! He told us that as he goes re-enacting most weekends, all his gear is stored in a huge van and not unpacked between visits.

We had all the different arrow heads and their purposes explained to us, and watched a squire arming a knight ready for the battle.

Then it was time to get a good position for the re-enactment, which is very well done. You can hear the commentary too and it is very descriptive. Next year is the 550th anniversary so they hope to have a bigger event on the 19th and 20th September.

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