The Battle of Shrewsbury, 1403 by Anthony Rich

The Battle of Shrewsbury was waged between an army led by the Lancastrian King Henry IV and a rebel army led by Henry “Harry Hotspur” Percy from Northumberland. The battle, the first in which English archers fought each other on English soil, reaffirmed the effectiveness of the longbow and ended the Percy challenge to King Henry IV of England. It was also the battle at which our favourite medieval hero, the future Henry V, won his spurs despite being wounded in the face by an arrow.

Our speaker is Chairman of the Battlefields Trust, Anthony Rich, a noted battlefield guide. Based near Birmingham, Anthony’s guiding centres on, but is by no means restricted to, battles of all eras in and around the Midlands and the Welsh Marches. He guides for a wide range of national and local organisations, small groups and individuals, including our Society’s successful exploration of the Mortimer’s Cross battlefield in 2024.

Annual General Meeting followed by “Siege Engines for Beginners” by David Snowden

As a registered charity we are required to hold an Annual General Meeting. This is the formal meeting for members only, however guests are welcome to join in for the talk, which will start at about 8:15 pm.

If you enjoyed the talk on Longbow vs Crossbow, you will relish this brief look at the heavy artillery of the Middle Ages: Siege Engines and other military machinery, from trebuchet to tumbrils, ballistae to beehives, and more.

The AGM and the talk will be delivered in person, as well as through Zoom.

11 September 2025
7:30 pm

Evesham Battle Festival – Tournament Day, Friday 1 August 2025

This year is the 760th anniversary of the Battle of Evesham so the normal Battle Festival will be extended to provide a range of activities over 3 days (1 – 3 August) starting with:

Friday when Jousts and Tournaments will be held.

Days 2 and 3 will cover our award winning Medieval Festival and Battle Re-enactments. In addition, there will our first War Game Festival in Evesham: “Baron’s War 2025”

1 August 2025
10:00 am

The Cult of the Virgin Mary (and did she found Evesham Abbey?) by Richard Carter

The founding story of the Abbey of St Mary and St Ecgwine (Evesham Abbey) centres on a personal appearance by the Virgin Mary. The Abbey’s continuing prosperity had much to do with the popularity of the cult of the Virgin Mary. This evening’s lecture will examine the nature of the cult and we will attempt to answer the question: “Did the Virgin Mary found Evesham Abbey?”.

The lecture will be delivered in person at the Baptist Community Centre in Offenham, as well as remotely (by Zoom) for those who are unable to travel.

10 July 2025
7:30 pm

King Henry V and Agincourt: England’s Greatest 3 hours by Max Keen

King Henry V and Agincourt – was Agincourt England’s finest 3 hours?

Complete with armour, maille and weapons of the period!

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers …”

Come to hear about the greatest battle of England’s most famous warrior King!

A recreation of the horror that was Agincourt and the hero that was Henry.

Lecture in person at the Baptist Church and Community Centre, Offenham WR11 3DY

10 April 2025
7:30 pm

Light in the Darkness by Heather Rendell

A Zoom only meeting featuring an examination of the contrast between life in the medieval hall and the chivalry ideal of life.

Most of the Society’s lectures are in person but because of the likely inclement weather at this time of year the lectures will be given remotely until the spring.

9 January 2025
7:30 pm

Battle of Evesham Festival 2025 – 760th Anniversary Festival

THE BATTLE OF EVESHAM 2025

760th Anniversary Festival – 3 days of medieval mayhem

NEW Tourney Arena for demonstrations and entertainment

NEW c13th Joust-Tourney on Friday

NEW Kenilworth Castle built on the Battle Arena

NEW Siege engine warfare attacking and defending the castle

NEW Presentation pavilion, historic academic and fiction talks

NEW Park and Ride/Stride

NEW Wargamers Barons War Festival in the Town Centre

900+ re-enactors, soldiers, archers & living history performers

20+ Knights on war-horses

Mass archery demonstrations

Authors talks and book signings

55+ medieval crafts traders

55+ modern artisan crafts traders

30+ food and drink stalls

GRAND PARADE Saturday 10am.

THIRTEENTH CENTURY JOUST/TOURNEE ON FRIDAY
Watch close-up in the Tourney Arena the, first style of medieval tourney, which developed into the jousts we see in Hollywood Films.

GRAND PARADE ON SATURDAY
All performers, Knights on their war horses will be march though the streets of Evesham in full armour and medieval costume, joined by musicians, dancers and our regional Mayors. All in a fantastic parade of colour and noise.

BATTLE REENACTMENTS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Including all soldiers, archers and mounted Knights, fighting to the death in medieval mayhem.

FREE TO ENTER (suggested donation £2 each)
Come and enjoy a spectacular weekend of medieval action and education in the heart of Evesham and next to the Avon, a riverside Market Town on the edge of the Cotswolds with a big part to play in history.

Including are full-on battle re-enactments, Living History camp displays, trade stalls catering for medieval and modern tastes, beer tent and a Grand Parade through the streets of Evesham.
The festival commemorates the defeat of Simon de Montfort in 1265, but celebrates the survival of his ‘Representative Parliament’ now we call this the House of Commons.

5,000 men died on Greenhill and in the streets of Evesham, either defending the Magna Carta or the restoration of the Monarchy, leading to the greatest shift in land ownership since the Norman Invasion.

1 August 2025
10:00 am