A group of Year 7 History students travelled back in time on Saturday 24th January when they visited the historic town of Nantwich and attended the Battle of Nantwich re-enactment.

Their day began with a walking tour of the town to see the fascinating architecture dating back to the black and white houses of  Tudor times including Churche's Mansion built in 1577 and Sweet Briar Hall with its octagonal room. Pupils then enjoyed a short ride on a narrow gauge steam train.

The next stop was Welch's Yesteryear Grocery Shop which gives a realistic glance into shopping from the eras of WW1 and WW2 with products from the period and ration books. Pupils warmed up with a hot drink in the old fashioned tea room attached to the shop.

As the group moved on to the town centre they were fortunate to catch a display of traditional English Morris Dancing, just as the first troops for the battle started to arrive; announced by the sound of drums. They also witnessed a short drama of a 17th century trial with participants in realistic costumes.

Pupils were awe struck on entering the 14th century magnificent  St Mary's Church. They admired the soaring stone columns, vaulted ceiling, beautiful stained glass windows and intricately carved wooden seats. 

On the grass outside the church the group was invited to visit a Civil War period workshop in a tent and they all squeezed in under the canvas to hear an informative talk on equipment from the era and had the chance to handle items, including muskets and pikes.

By this time the town square was packed with thronging crowds as well as hundreds of pike carrying troops who had marched in. CCSC students assembled at the War Memorial to hear the prayer from the Rector of Nantwich and observe the remembrance silence. The end of the silence was marked by a volley of musket fire and the march to Mill Island commenced.

Huge crowds filled the island and surrounding streets as five hundred costumed soldiers holding weapons and pulling cannons marched into the battle arena. The thunderous noise of drums and waving flags created a very exciting atmosphere as the battle commenced. The Royalists and Parliamentarians fought each other, re-enacting the scenes from the original 1644 Battle of Nantwich. A commentary kept the audience informed as the chaotic scenes on the battle field unfolded with plenty of cannon fire and pike battles before the Parliamentarians finally triumphed and Nantwich was declared a free town.

A walk along the ancient Welsh Row gave pupils the chance to view some more fabulous buildings and see the return march of the battle weary troops. The group completed their day with a visit to the upper storey of Nantwich Bookshop, on the High Street, one of the oldest houses in the town.

All the visit participants agreed that it had been a fantastic day; with masses to see and do and also lovely sunny weather.

A gallery of pictures from the day can be seen below. Please click on an image to enlarge it.

Mr L Mackin

Assistant Leader of Humanities