TENS of thousands of people descended on Evesham town centre over the weekend (May 17 and 18) to enjoy the sights, sounds and spectacle of the medieval market and living history demonstrations.
Now in its fifth year, the precursor to the main Battle of Evesham Festival in August, filled out Market Square, the grounds of All Saints and St Lawrence’s Churches, Abbey Gardens and Abbey Park with more than 100 stalls and hundreds of historical reenactors representing each century from 1066 to 1485.
Visitors could buy anything from a drinking vessel made from horn to a replica sword worthy of a medieval king. Mead, cider, and other refreshments kept the adults’ thirsts slaked.
Youngsters, meanwhile, learnt new skills in Abbey Cloisters with have-a-go archery and sword fighting, as various medieval musicians, dancers, and singers performed period tunes and jigs.
Abbey Park proved another hit with its encampment of Vikings, knights, and a motley assortment of warriors who entertained the crowds with fierce battle recreations, demonstrations of medieval crafts and cookery.
Evesham Medieval Market originally started in the church grounds but has expanded as it has grown more popular with traders, visitors and re-enactors alike.
Event organiser Mick Hurst told the Observer that the weekend had exceeded expectations. “With the help of some glorious weather, we have managed to attract a record turnout for any event in the heart of Evesham. Utilising our history and heritage has proven a great success again,” he said.
Like the summer festival, the weekend market boosts the local visitor economy with an increase in day and overnight visitors. This year was no exception. “It was far busier than last year, altogether we think that we had some 35,000 attending.”
“I had people say to me they had come from Suffolk, and another had travelled down from Newcastle – and that’s just who I’ve spoken to. Traders have also told me that Saturday was their best sales day ever for any event,” added Mick.
The event raises money towards staging the free Battle of Evesham Festival which this year has been extended to three days from August 1 to 3 to mark the 760 years since the momentous massacre of Simon de Montfort and his knights.
See battleofevesham.co.uk for more information.
