Crowds set to flock to country park for battle anniversary events

THE AIR will resonate with the sound of steel on steel as hundreds of history enthusiasts recreate one of the country’s most pivotal battles.

The annual Battle of Bosworth anniversary re-enactment takes place at the heritage centre near Sutton Cheney on August 20 and 21.

Around 700 Tudor warriors and dozens of living history demonstrators will show the sights, sounds and smells of medieval England to life, culminating each day in a dramatic re-run of the bloody encounter between the forces of King Richard III and Henry Tudor.

We all know how it ended - Richard, the last Plantagenet, was killed on the battlefield, his body taken to Leicester and dumped in a makeshift grave at the friary church of Greyfriars.

Henry became the first Tudor king who spawned a dynasty which would change England forever while Richard’s remains lay undetected for more than 500 years until his battle-scarred skeleton was unearthed in 2012 under what had become a car park for Leicester City Council.

As well as a chance to relive this decisive moment in history the anniversary weekend offers a host of other fun activities including jousting, falconry flying and displays, canon fire demonstrations, medieval music and dance, refreshments and food, games for the children and mini guided walks. Admission also includes entry to the centre’s awardwinning exhibition.

The anniversary battle is a prelude to other re-enactment events in August and September.

Over the August bank holiday, Sunday and Monday 28 and 29, the in-house reenactors Les Routiers de Rouen will be showing off just what it takes to have been a medieval knight.

They and their entourage will be at the Ambion Arena showing how 15th Century soldiers prepared for battle.

There will be talks throughout the day and the possibility of even spotting King Richard III.

The event takes place each day from 11am to 3pm.

Then on the weekend of September 24 and 25 Les Routiers de Rouen will return with a battle camp demonstrating preparations for war with weapons, armour, costumes, medicines and lots of activities for children from 11am to 3pm.