EVESHAM town centre is set to turn the clock back 900 years for a spectacular medieval market ’s with 80 stalls and 14 groups of living history performers this weekend.
The outdoor market, staged in locations across the historic town centre, will include, knights demonstrating armour and weaponry from 1066 to 1485 in the Abbey ruins, community stands in St Lawrence’s church, together with artisan craft, food and drink stalls in Evesham Market Square.
One couple of keen history performers are getting married amongst their fellow historic re-enactors. Toni-Lea Marris and Ian Taylor from Coalville will be having a wedding blessing in All Saints Church followed by pagan wedding ceremony in the Abbey grounds on Saturday afternoon.
“After so many events have had to be cancelled because of COVID – including last years the Battle of Evesham Re-enactment Festival – we are thrilled to be able to put on this outdoor medieval market right in the centre of our beautiful town,” said event director, Mick Hurst.
“After the long lockdown, the market has really captured the imagination of local people and living history re-enactors from groups across the country.
“Many, many local people and organisations have worked hard to put on a great market which will also provide an insight into medieval life and our town’s role in events which shaped the modern world.
“While COVID restriction s have now eased, the Battle committee has made the safety of our re-enactors, traders, volunteers and the public its first priority.”
The market will take place in the historic center of Evesham. There will be armoured medieval knights and weapon demonstrations in the Living History Camps, located in Evesham Abbey ruins. They will include iron-forges, leatherwork, wooden crafts, needlework, mead making and cooking from throughout the ‘High Medieval Period’ of 1066 to 1485.
The Abbey Cloisters and Nave are to be opened up for the first time in 600 years for members of the public to wonder how the third largest abbey in England use to look in its heyday.
The official Robin Hood Visitor’s Centre re-enactment team are heading over from Sherwood Forest, including Friar Tuck, Maid Marion, Little John and of course Robin himself.
Other groups are representing late-period Vikings, Norman soldiers from the 13th, 14th and 15th Centuries – all powerful barons and royal households with colourful coats of arms.
History of Dogs will be describing how our faithful friends played their part in medieval life, a Falconer will have a feathered friend on show, and DevilStick Pete – the county’s best-loved jester – will be wending his way around entertaining the public.
St Lawrence’s church will host displays from local community groups, the exciting Evesham Abbey archeology project will showcase their activities in the Cloisters.
An artisan crafts market will take place in Market Square, with many crafts, food and drink stalls showcasing some of the best local produce – from Jam to Gin and Ceramics to Greetings Cards.
Admission to the Evesham Medieval Market is free. Funds raised through donations will go towards running the Battle of Evesham Festival which will be staged over the weekend of August 7-8. The spectacular re-enactment event is now England’s largest annual c13th Battle re-enactment.
Tickets are now selling fast for Evesham’s first Evesham Medieval Banquet, which will take place in the town on 23 October – full details on this event, the Medieval Market Battle of Evesham Festival are on: www.battleofevesham.co.uk and Facebook.
