The Civil War returns to Arlington
THE boom of cannon, the rattle of musket fire and the clash of pikes will echo across North Devon with a recreation of the long forgotten Battle of Arlington. On Saturday, June 19 and Sunday 20 this episode from the annals of the English Civi
THE boom of cannon, the rattle of musket fire and the clash of pikes will echo across North Devon with a recreation of the long forgotten Battle of Arlington.
On Saturday, June 19 and Sunday 20 this episode from the annals of the English Civil War will explode into life, thanks to the Sealed Knot Society and the National Trust at Arlington Court.
The event is held under the umbrella of the North Devon Festival and entry is free with normal grounds admission to Arlington Court.
The Civil War re-enactors of the Sealed Knot will bring to life the real events of October 1642 when the parliamentary rebels of Barnstaple raided the Catholic Royalist stronghold of John Chichester at Arlington.
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The battle will be played out at 2.30pm on both days, plus the Sealed Knot will be on hand from 11am, performing military drills and bringing the past back to life with a living history encampment.
Dave Gibbons, House Steward at Arlington and a pikeman of Sergeant Major General Philip Skippon's regiment of the Sealed Knot, explained:
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"This could have meant the end of the Chichester family, but luckily when the armies of King and Parliament met at Edgehill four days later, events at Arlington were forgotten and remained so for 350 years.
"John Chichester died in May 1644, having kept a low profile after the raid, his son John inherited at the age of eleven and was too young to fight.
"The Chichesters had not been deeply involved in the war, so they were able to hold onto their possessions although John's elderly grandmother Susan caused so much trouble that at one stage she was actually debated in Parliament!"
To find out more contact Arlington Court on (01271) 850296 or check the website, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington.
