Events this weekend

Valence House, Dagenham. Photo: © Copyright Adrian Cable (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Post-holiday blues already kicking-in? Here are some interesting 17th century-related events all happening this weekend:

• Exhibition: Hidden - An Unseen Portrait of Oliver Cromwell (National Portrait Gallery, London - Sat & Sun)
• Exhibition: Fanshawe Women of the English Civil War (Valence House, Dagenham - Sat & Sun)
• Tour: Battle of Naseby 1645 (Naseby, Warks, - Sun)
• Tour: Battle of Worcester 1651 (Worcester - Sun).

See Events for visiting arrangements, start times etc. and loads more walks, talks and re-enactments all happening this year.

Charles II's escape from Worcester

View Charles II's escape from Worcester 1651 in a larger map
I've used Google maps to plot the route of Charles II's escape from the 1651 Battle of Worcester.

Click here to view it in a larger window.

The journey of over 400 miles would not, of course, have followed straight lines, though the map gives an impression of the doubling-back and sharp changes of direction Charles and his changing band of companions needed to evade capture.

A charming contemporary embroidery commemorating the King's escape (Holbourne Museum, Bath)
Explore more interactive maps

Brentford and Turnham Green walk

One of the Battlefields Trust's explanation boards at Turnham Green, London. View the locations of the Battles of Brentford and Turnham Green on an interactive map.

Marston Moor. Definitely Marston Moor.

Or maybe Naseby.

Though there is Cheriton ... Come to think of it, how about Stow-on-the-Wold?

Each has a claim, though a recent Battlefields Trust walk made a strong case for the Battles of Brentford and Turnham Green to be considered the most significant military event in the English Civil War.

But why do we read so little about them ? ...

Comments requested on Worcester Fort Royal Park bid

Entrance to Fort Royal Park, Worcester. Photo © Copyright P L Chadwick (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Views are still being sought by Worcester City Council on the proposed development of Fort Royal Park.

The park is the site of a Royalist redoubt built during the battle of 1651 ...

Charles II wanted poster up for auction

A Proclamation for the discovery and Apprehending of Charles Stuart and other
Traytors his Adherents and Abettors (Wednesday September 10th 1651)

'The most important wanted poster of all time' is up for auction in Shropshire next month.

A Proclamation for the discovery and Apprehending of Charles Stuart and other Traytors his Adherents and Abettors was issued by Parliament on the 10th September 1651, a week after the future Charles II fled Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester.

That's not all. Bidders will have the chance to purchase other fascinating 17th century documents ...

'St Martin's Sconce' confirmed in Worcester

Photo: Worcestershire Historic Environment and Archaeology Service / Arial-Cam

Excavations on a development site close to Worcester city centre have confirmed English Civil War remains first suggested in earlier evaluations.

'St Martin's Sconce' was a bastion constructed as part of the city's defences, and saw action in both the siege of 1646 and the battle of 1651 ...