Civil War history thrills the society - The Evesham Observer

Civil War history thrills the society

Evesham Editorial 12th May, 2016 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

MEMBERS of the Vale of Evesham Historical Society welcomed Bernard Mills to the most recent meeting.

Bernard looked every inch the 17th Century gentleman when he spoke to members on the evening of March 31 about the final battle of the English Civil Wars – the Battle of Worcester.

His red sash marked him out as an officer of the militia. The audience was hard-pressed though, to say which side he was on although he was actually a parliamentarian.

After a brief review of the causes of the Civil Wars, Bernard ran quickly through events from August 1642 when Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham, to Charles’s execution in January 1649.




From exile in Europe, Charles’s son, the future Charkes II, then approached the Scots asking for their support.

Thus began the road to the Battle of Worcester, less a pitched battle, more a series of skirmishes beginning at Upton-upon-Severn and reaching Worcester via Powick.


Parliamentarian forces numbered about 30,000 to young Charles’s rather weary and bedraggled army of some 13,000 to 14,000 men, mainly Scots.

The story of the defeat of the Royalists and Charles’s subsequent escape was both a thrilling and a tragic one and held the audience spellbound, as evidenced by the long discussion which ensued.

For more information on talks and society activities, visit the Society’s website: www.valeofeveshamhistory.org or contact the Secretary Gerry Harte on 01386 870665.

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