OUR AJMS

U/orking u/ith the ou/ners of the many sites associated u/ith the Pottle of Teu/kesburq, the Society, aim to raise public A BIT OF A au/areness of the events of the battle and promote the sites as an integrated educational resource.

U/e aim to encourage tourism and leisure activity, by, SLAP advertising, interpretation and presentation in connection u/ith the sites. U/e aim also to collate research into the battle, and to encourage further research, making the results available to the public through a variety, of media.

In pursuing our objects, u/e hope to be u/orking alongside a variety, of organisations, in Teu/kesbury, and throughout the u/orld. U/e u/ill be proposing schemes and advocating projects, including fundraising for them and project managing if appropriate.

U/e aim to become the Authority, on the battle and battlesite

OUR OBJECTS To promote the permanent preservation of the battlefield and other sites associated u/ith the Battle of Teu/kesburq, 1471, as sites of historic interest, to the benefit of the public generality To promote the educational and tourism possibilities of the battlefield and associated sites, particularly, in relation to Cite n>ew#&tter oftfu medieval history.. To promote, for public benefit, research into matters associated u/ith the sites, and to publish the useful results of such research. Issue 7 Free to members, Winter 2002 otherwise £f.OO PROQRESS

If this is a six monthly publication, which it ought to be, this has been a In this Issue long six months. I hope it's been worth waiting for. A new year resolution is to keep to the intended six monthly programme in future, so Slap 8 is Progress targeted for the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. A lot has happened in the last year, and in some areas we are actually . Lancastrian seeing results. fit Abans The presentation of the Battle in Tewkesbury has seen the most progress. Tewkesbury Museum There is a report later about the progress in the Museum since the appointment of Chris Kirby as Curator we are going to be a regular feature King Arthur's Arms on the programme there. In addition, the Borough Council have launched their Visitor Centre project, having obtained the funding they needed to May 4 2OO2 rebuild the chosen venue, the "Old Hat Shop" at the Cross. This will house the Tourism Information Centre, and what is described as a hub to provide The Inquiry Documents linkages between local museums, attractions and resources. Past Talks and outings Forward, specialists in high-tech interpretation have been engaged to design the interpretive elements of the centre which will occupy the upper Towton Battlefield Society floors, and concentrate on timber frame construction, the development of Tewkesbury as a market town, and historical events such as the Battle. Battletrail w/alks The Society has been invited to presentations, and to comment on the Malvern Chase initial concept proposals, which it has done. It remains to be seen how the new centre will relate to the museum, where we have now an active Taurus the Bull programme, and the Old Merchant's House, which we have been supporting for several years now with sponsorship of living history events. The Battlefield Trust The statue project is moving along slowly, and there should soon be some A Lancastrian poem public evidence of this, and this is also reported on later. Fund raising and planning permission remain big obstacles fro us to tackle, but we have Society contact information plans. The battlefield itself is the project we have made least progress with, despite promises from English Heritage. The Borough have plans for interpretation panels, and have received a management plan, funded by Contributors to this issue include Peter Williams, with a history of Jasper Tudor, and Berni English Heritage, from their consultants. Early drafts were not very good, Witloughby, with some musings on the heraldic representation of King Arthur. and we have not been shown the final version, yet. In the meantime, the Gastons appears to between tenants, and this would be an ideal opportunity to promote the proposed footpath extension, the restoration of the little hovel as a shelter and information point and the work to restore the damage to the hedges and contouring of the field. There is lots of lobbying to be done.. JASPER TUDOR LANCASTRIAN Part one: Origins and early life. At the time of Henry V's death Queen Katherine was not quite 21 years old, The story of Jasper Tudor is one of steadfast loyalty to a cause, even when still a very young woman but now with a very important nine-month-old son, that cause appeared completely lost. He was a prominent figure of the time who succeeded to the English throne and under the treaty of Troyes would and as such was quite a rarity as few of the leaders of either faction who were also inherit the throne of France on the death of Charles VI. Strange indeed around at the start of the hostilities were still about to tell the tale at the very that she should so soon marry a minor Welsh nobleman. end, Jasper Tudor's faith in the justness of the Lancastrian cause never The marriage was kept secret at the time. The main reason for this being the wavered through the lengthy struggle This period was to see him play many view and possible objection of the two most powerful men in the land, the roles including obscure nobleman with a questionable pedigree, exalted protector, Duke Humphrey and his uncle Henry Beaufort, Bishop of nobleman and member of the royal household, army leader, fugitive, Winchester. Though these two seldom saw eye to eye, the question of the executioner, exile, protector, emissary and eventually victor. Many of the Queen Dowager's remarrying was of concern to both. One reservation would prominent people changed sides, sometimes more than once. Jasper Tudor have concerned any future rival claim to the throne by children of this union. however remained steadfastly loyal throughout, and when the direct line of At this time it was thought possible that Katherine might marry Edmund the perished he was instrumental in its Tudor/Beaufort Beaufort, Count of Mortain (Griffiths). reincarnation. Duke Humphrey introduced a bill in the 1427-8 Parliament, which set out rules Those of us interested in that period of history and furnished with the limited for the remarriage of the Queen Dowager. These rules involved the loss of amount of information know how one sided the appears lands and possessions of the prospective husband if the marriage took place today. It is quite easy for us to suggest that if this or that had happened the without the consent of the King. Had the Queen Dowager chosen a high outcome might have been very different. Possibly the one thing that most profile husband then the greater the likelihood of an objection from the court. people would agree on that could have changed the outcome would have In any event she later met and secretly married , knowledge of been for the Lancastrians to have broken out following "'s move". the marriage only becoming common after Katharine's death. Another Another event, that had it occurred could have changed the outcome would possible reason for the secrecy was that at this time Welshmen had only have been the arrival of Jasper Tudor and the reinforcements from . limited rights, under provisions of Henry IV. Like a western film where the cavalry arrives in the nick of time to rescue The marriage appears successful and it is thought that a total of four children those beleaguered, either from Gloucester or across the River Severn. were born to Katherine and Owen. Many people know the name of Jasper Tudor, one time and Jasper was the second son, born in the late 1420's or early 1430's at the later Earl of Bedford, but who was he and what part did he play during these Bishop of Ely's residence in Hatfield (a house later to be the first independent troubled times? household set up by Elizabeth I when still a princess), This is intended to be the first in a series of short articles featuring some of Some years later Katherine entered Bermondsey Abbey after contracting a the men that fought at Tewkesbury. Obviously this first offering is slightly serious illness, possibly tuberculosis. She died shortly after on 3rd January different in that the subject is someone who did not actually take part in the 1437. After Katherine's death Owen Tudor fled as he had violated the laws battle, but as his arrival could have had such a great influence I think him a governing the former Queen's remarriage, but was arrested and imprisoned worthwhile subject. As we shall see later this was not the first battle that until being pardoned by Henry VI. Jasper failed to appear on time. The Abbess of Barking, Katherine de la Pole, the Earl of Suffolk's sister, looked after the two brothers. While the boys were at Barking the Abbess was Because of it's length, this feature from Peter Williams, paid £50 for lodging them and keeping them in food and clothing. The boys also had servants as befitted their status as half brothers of the King. Here has been divided into parts, part two, looking at the they remained for at least 5 years. It was at this time that their half brother, years after the commencement of hostilities in 1455. Henry VI, started to take an interest in them and according to Blacman, will appear in the next edition. sometime in 1442, Henry arranged for the boys to leave Barking and to go and live at court. Jasper would have been about 12 or 13 years old at the time. We have a description of the sort of life they led, again by Blacman, where it seems Henry was very concerned with their moral upbringing and After Henry's breakdown, both Queen Margaret and Richard Duke of York placed them in the care of strict priests. Their upbringing was therefore made their respective cases to assume the King's powers until Henry's probably very dull and regimented, hardly conducive to lively teenage boys. eventual recovery {if and when that occurred). Richard of course was the heir They are likely to have received some martial training as both Edmund and apparent and given the general decline, which had been allowed to go Jasper were later given responsible military commands. unchecked during Henry's reign, some saw him as a better prospect, In November 1452 Henry VI legitimised both Edmund and Jasper. This act untainted as he was with Lancastrian misrule. Margaret after all was a women may bring into question the legitimacy of their parent's marriage. However the and French to boot, parliament couldn't have that! Jasper supported York's bid most likely explanation is, given the uncertainty of Edmund and Jasper's for control at this time. I believe that here we get a glimpse of Jasper's dates of birth and the shortness of time between Queen Katherine moving out character, as given his closeness to the Kings family (bearing in mind all that of Henry VI household around 1431 -2 and her living with Owen, that both Henry had done for him and his brother), also that he and Edmund had joint Edmund and Jasper were born before the marriage (a number of similarities custody over , so one of them was certain to marry exist between the Tudors and the Beauforts rise to prominence). her, and also that it was her uncle, Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, Clearly, Henry regarded his two half brothers highly and had plans for them, incompetent as he was that exercised so much influence over the court and and both youths (then in their early twenties), accompanied Queen Margaret parliament. Despite this overwhelming lead" to tow the family line and on a royal progress through the Midlands in the springtime of 1452. It was at maintain the status quo, that Jasper was his own man and supported York. this time that the brothers met the Paston family in their Norwich home. This During York's period as protector he brought about a number of sweeping whole exercise was possibly to raise the public awareness and popularity of changes which directly effected the King's and therefore the Tudor brothers the Tudor brothers and their proximity to Henry VI, in readiness for what he household. Overall as Protector, York seems to have made a reasonable job had in mind for them. It was in the November of 1452 that Henry made of it. Edmund Earl of Richmond and Jasper Earl of Pembroke. Both titles had During Christmas 1454, Henry recovered to find he was a father and soon previously been held by two of Henry's now dead uncles. Not only were they began undoing York's reforms, restoring his friends and advisors to power, created Earls but leading Earls, having precedence over all below a Duke. At including Jasper's future relative in law, Edmund Beaufort. We do not know a stroke the two brothers were raised from a position of relative obscurity to Henry's view on Jasper's previous support of York. Henry's sudden recovery one great power and influence, they were close to the throne but without a is likely to have placed the Tudor brothers in something of a dilemma. Jasper claim to it. particularly had openly supported York, rather than the Queen, now York, a very able man had been dismissed and great enmity existed between the After ennoblement it remained to find suitable wives for the brothers. It had Queen and York. not gone unnoticed in the country that after seven years of marriage the King At this time support for Henry and York was polarising and the Tudor brothers had not provided an heir. Henry appears at this time to have realised the had to decide whom they would support. Both brothers decided that the compactness of his immediate family and was attempting to increase their Lancastrian cause was the one to follow. numbers. Marrying Edmund and Jasper off would further help in achieving this In February 1455 Edmund and Margaret Beaufort were married. Some aim and it was in the March of 1453 that the brothers were given joint custody months later, on 1st May, Henry and his party, which included Earl Jasper, of the country's most eligible heiress, the nine year old Margaret Beaufort. arrived at St Albans, where they encountered the encampment of York, Lady Margaret was the great granddaughter of John of Gaunt and Katherine Salisbury and Warwick and there followed the first battle in The Wars of the Swynford; she was the senior Beaufort heir as she descended from John, the Roses. eldest of the original Beaufort children. We do not know what part Jasper played in the battle, it appears though that The political climate of early 1450's produced an atmosphere of uncertainty he was one of those that attempted to bring the two sides together, possibly and instability. Military defeats in France and Henry's own weak nature and realising the terrible implications for the country that such a serious feud lack of control at a time when strong leadership was needed only served to would have. make matters worse. Unrest and general dissatisfaction escalated to open hostility and violence between some members of the ruling classes. It could not therefore have been a worse time for Henry to suffer a complete mental and physical breakdown as he did in 1453, and which was to last for some eighteen months. Sandridge, over the remains of the open heathland. Much "improved" ST since the fifteenth century, and under continual threat of development. We were able to give the benefit of our experience at Tewkesbury in lobbying against development. St Albans can boast much more history than most English towns outside London. Its position on the Great North Road has put it on the route of Despite having such a colourful Medieval past in St Albans, the Roman almost all rampaging armies from the North, and armies rampaging to the history seems to have absolute precedence with the authorities, who don't North. It has also seen more poignant moments in history. It could once seem to have a lot of interest in promoting the . This is boast an Eleonor's Cross. King John of France was brought there as a borne out by the experience of groups who have tried to get re-enactments of the battles off the ground. We talked about how local involvement could prisoner after the Battle of Poitiers. help in this, and the tremendous potential of the market place and French The rich English history is completely overshadowed by the Roman, Row. The Wars of the Roses Federation are now planning a re-enactment though, and the two Wars of the Roses battles are hardly acknowledged at with them. all. Altogether, an interesting day out, and well worth the journey. There are On a wet Saturday in September, we headed off to join Harvey on a regular, if infrequent, walks of the two battlefields promoted by the Tourism Battlefields Trust guided walk. Unfortunately, misjudging the distance Office. Details can be obtained from them, on 01727 864511. meant that we were late for the 11.00 start of the first battle walk, and being unable to find the group we had to settle for a browse around the town and Abbey instead. TEU/KESBURY MUSEUM The town centre is dominated by a wide and long market street, with the famous French Row leading to the High Street. A plaque marks the place In Slap 6, the plans for the battle room in the Museum were discussed, in St Peter's Street where the Duke of Somerset was caught and cut down, There has been some progress in developing a relationship here, and the outside the old Castle Inn, long gone and replaced by a bank. first working day at the Museum has resulted in what is acknowledged as an instant improvement. The chief focus has been on the model, which The Abbey is well worth the journey on its own, and full of wonders. Among has been moved to a new position, on a lower stand. With some banners others, "good" Duke Humphery of Gloucester is buried here, and the backing it, it now looks very good. There is still a lot to do, but we need a Abbey have an instructive pamphlet detailing his rise to the heights, and bit of a rethink following our second Museum day. his fall from grace. The Duke has a magnificent chantry, befitting a great baron of the age. His coffin was discovered, by accident, in 1703, and We were invited to man the battle room as part of the first Museum Activity found to contain his body in an excellent state of preservation, immersed in day, on January 5th. We took the arts and science of archery (not the a brown aromatic liquor. This became a tourist attraction, and over about practice!) and heraldry as our themes, and, dressed in appropriate 50 years the liquid disappeared, for one reason or another, allowing his costume, and with artifacts, spent the day talking to customers. The curator proclaimed it a success. There were 39 paying visitors, a 1000% body to decay. increase on the average, and for a first attempt this was not a bad We were in good time for the 2.30 walk, which followed the course of the number. The important thing was that they enjoyed it, and we were able to second battle, and covered a tremendous amount of ground over three spread the word a little further, and have possibly gained some members. hours. We followed Fishpool Street, scene of the first, repulsed, Lancastrian attack before moving out of town to the still open ground of On 16 February, there will be a second day, with the theme of the Wars of Barnard's Heath to Beech Bottom, a deep ditch which formed part of a the Roses. In the longer term, we will be establishing a programme of five much earlier fortification, where Warwick established his front line (having or six days through the year with the Museum. to turn his army in quick time to face an attack for the South, having been As regards the physical work to the battle room, that will continue as anticipating one from the North). As we got there, the heavens opened, planned, but the layout will need to accommodate groups of people in the and we listened to the account of the battle with water seeping gradually room on events days. past umbrellas and outer clothing. As the sun came back out, we turned back towards town through 8 7 KINQ ARTHURS ARMS In origin, it is Roman, an idea pinched from the Sarmations who having been FROM DUX BELLORUM TO PUB SfQN subjugated by the Emperor Trajan were drafted into the legions as heavy cavalry. Some of them are known to have been posted on Hadrian's Wall. Their "Draco" standards were hollow sculpted figures beaten from sheet It seemed like a joke at first, the "King Arthur's Arms", a pub in the middle of bronze with trailing windsocks of coloured fabric. Borne high on a pole the Tintagel, just down the road from the Guenevere Tearooms and Merlin's car Draco would howl and roar as the wind whistled through its gaping jaws and park! filled its flowing tail. In the later empire it seems to have superseded the The arms in question were painted on a board on the front wall; a large famous aquila eagle standard and it is more than possible that an historical goldish lion rampant emblazoned on a flaking ground whose murky tincture "Arthur", a prince of Gwynedd perhaps, and heir to the Roman military now escapes me. Stagnant green, perhaps? Anyway, not very memorable, a corny cliche of the good old days "when knights were bold and lavatories weren't invented", etc., but it did set me thinking about the various signs, symbols and devices that have been associated for over a thousand years with the most famous and elusive king in British history. In the middle ages he was often depicted bearing a shield with three gold 2 crowns, for the medieval Arthur was no mere monarch, but a mighty emperor, The Praco the heir to Augustus and Constantine.

I. system, would have employed such a device. The three crowns Then Arthur fought against them in those days, with the Kings of Britons but he himself was Duke of Battles (Dux Bellorum) the eighth battle was at Fort Guinnion in which Arthur carried the image of St Mary ever Virgin on his

This was fiction, of course, the product of twelfth century romancers who re- invented Arthur as the model of Angevin kingship. 3. Geoffery of Monmouth, the Welsh cleric who seems to have kicked off King Arthur's Arms'? "Arthurmania" in about the year 1135 with his largely fabricated "Historia NJennius may have imagined Regum Brittaniae" (History of the Kings of Britain) tells us that Arthur was the something like this. son of a British king called Uther Pendragon.This translates as Terrible Head Dragon, a title rather than a proper name and leads us back into the murky splendours of Welsh myth and legend. The red dragon was the tribal emblem of the kings of Gwynedd, eventually shield and that day the pagans were turned to flight " (Historia Brittonum). adopted by the whole of Wales. It is the image most favoured by Hollywood Thus does the ninth century Welsh monk Nennius give us our first glimpse of and many a celluloid Arthur has ridden into battle bearing a dragon on his a tangible, possibly historical, Arthur and the device on his shield. Images of banner and shield. deities and such allegorical figures as Winged Victories seem to have been

10 popular military blazons in the later empire. MAY 4 2002 These pagan prototypes easily translated into Christian saints and angels Forthampton is on the opposite bank of the Severn to Tewkesbury, with after Constantine's conversion. In another version of Nennius' account it is the which it has a long and close attachment. Prior to the bridging of the Cross of Christ that Arthur carries in battle. Again the "Chi Rho" monogram of Severn, the road went via Upper Lode ferry to Forthampton. The Yorke Constantine was instantly recognisable and universal. family, for many years Members of Parliament for Tewkesbury, reside at Forthampton Court, which previously had associations with the Abbey. Abbot Wakeman, the incumbent at the dissolution, retired there, taking several choice pieces of the fabric with him. In 2002, Forthampton is having a flower festival and street fair over the May bank holiday weekend, with the climax on May 4. Because of the The "Chi-Rho cross of connections, the Battle of Tewkesbury will figure prominently, they will Constantfne have some of our banners decorating the Church. No decisions have been taken about participation, but it's likely that there will be members of the Companions of the Black Bear there, and it seems appropriate that the Society should do something. Quite what is open for debate.

One last image of Arthur and perhaps a bit of fancy. The Round Table; big enough to seat a hundred and fifty knights. O.K., so it was invented by the Jersey poet Wace in 1155, but consider for a moment. What does it take to HELP! hold a kingdom in the days following the collapse of an empire? Caesar's We want the Society newsletter to be both interesting and informative. As legions are gone and the barbarians press in on every side. Think of say a you can imagine, there is quite an effort in publishing it, both in getting the hundred and fifty horse soldiers, a battle hardened war band trained in the editorial work and setting it out. If you are able to help with: disciplines of Rome. Picture them, perhaps, at their council, sitting in a great • Letters. If it's relevant, interesting and not libellous, we'll publish it. circle with their Duke, the "Dux Bellorum", in a circle so that no man shall be higher than his neighbour • Artwork. Drawings, cartoons, anything to relieve the monotony of B.T.W. the printed word Postscript. • Articles. We are interested in Tewkesbury in the fifteenth century, the Wars of the Roses, and the social history of the period. Concerning the Tintagel pub sign. Whilst there are many more images of Original or recycled work will suit us, as long as there is no Arthur, horses, of course, white, black and red (more pubs, but that's another copyright problem. story) and bears (the word is "Arth" in byrothonic), I have yet to find a single association of King Arthur with rampant lions! • Advertising. Anything which will help defray printing costs will be welcomed. we* • Constructive criticism. And we mean constructive! W<(t U Kff9Hfi(/tc ( We try to publish the newsletter at about six monthly intervals, so the next faf x vet fttt, vfatc *9f*c fat */»>& C*H one is due on the streets in June. Copy should be with us in early May. t9 it tfovH^fc Preferably it should be on a disc (any reasonably up to date WP package can be handled), or email to [email protected] http://w/u/w/.forest-bjgartu/eb/iet • Proof of Evidence from Dr Andrew Brown, of English Heritage, and a THE INQUIRY DOCUMENTS separate summary document. • Proof of Evidence of Mr Andrew Davison, of English Heritage, and a The following documents from the Battlefield inquiry have been lodged separate summary document. with Tewkesbury Library, to make them available for general study: • A volume of documents referred to in Dr Brown and Mr Davison's • Application for the erection of 51 dwellings at the Gastons. proofs of evidence. Statement of case on behalf of Bryant Homes, by Eversheds, • Graphics, plans and photographs provided by English Heritage Solicitors. referred to in the proofs of evidence of Dr Brown and Mr Davison. Section 106 Agreement and Option Agreement entered into by • Supplementary proof of evidence by Dr Andrew Brown. Bryant Homes with Tewkesbury Borough Council and The Tewkesbury School Trust Fund. • Supplementary proof of evidence by Mr Andrew Davison. • Sundry letters of objection sent to John Prescott • Additional documents provided by English Heritage referred to in the proofs of evidence of Dr Brown and Mr Davison. These documents 'Rule 6" statement from the Local Planning Authority, outlining the were in response to the evidence of the "other side". Tewkesbury Borough Council case. • English Heritage closing submissions. • Proof of Evidence from Mr C Shaw, Tewkesbury Borough Director of Development Services, and a separate summary document. • Statement of case under rule 6 by Tewkesbury Town Council • Core Document Bundle from Tewkesbury Borough Council. In three • Tewkesbury Town Council final submission volumes, containing 78 separate documents, this is the reference • Tewkesbury Civic Society submission material used by the Borough witnesses. Volume 1 is consists mostly of development plans, planning policies and details of the context of • Proof of evidence of Mr David Baker, on behalf of the Council for the application. Volume 2 contains archaeological evidence from the British Archaeology Tewkesbury Local Plan Inquiry. Volume 3 contains national planning • Statement of case under Rule 6 by the Battlefields Trust policy guidance and information relating to the Battlefield Register. • Proof of evidence of Mr Michael Rayner, of the Battlefields Trust. Local planning authority closing submissions • proof of evidence of Mr Peter Marren of the Battlefields Trust Evidence from Mr WW Strachen, Mason Richards Planning, supporting Bryant Homes. Town and Country planning issues, in • Supporting documents for the Battlefields Trust. three documents; a summary, the main Proof of Evidence, and a set • Proof of evidence of Steve Goodchild for Tewkesbury Battlefield of appendices containing reference documents. Society. Proof of evidence of Dr Richard Newman on behalf of Bryant Homes • Final report of Mr David Rose, the Planning Inspector, to the (Their history expert), and a separate summary document. Secretary of State. Bryant Homes closing statement All these documents will be lodged in the research section, with the other • Statement of case under Rule 6 by English Heritage material on the battle, and will be readily available as a source of study for both students of the battle and of planning law. Proof of evidence of Paul Fong (Town and Country Planning expert) on behalf of English Heritage, and a separate volume of appendices • Supplementary proof of evidence of Paul Fong.

14 13 Talks and outings Bottletrofl U/alks Guided walks around the battlefield are a town institution now, and attract a steady stream of interested walkers. By and large, the walk follows the February 17 Visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyards. The primary way-marked track, and include a comprehensive commentary on the interest is the Mary Rose, and the archery in particular, though there are circumstances leading to the battle, starting with the ambition of John of many other attractions. Details are on the Portsmouth "flyer" Gaunt. During the medieval festival we take the opportunity of access to March 10 Battlefield clear-up. 11.00am at the Borough Council private land to explore the ground beyond the Yorkist lines as an carpark, to spend an hour or so litter picking on the Bloody Meadow and alternative. One day, the walk will extend through these fields, and include clearing brambles from the footpath, at the same time recording areas of much more of the Gastons, but not just yet. degradation of the path, for an improvement plan. When the evenings are longer, walks are normally on the first Thursday in March 24 Towton battlefield walk. An early Sunday start from the month, at 7.30pm. For the rest of the year, they are on the first Sunday Tewkesbury. 7.30am prompt. This year we will be joining the Crooked at 2.30. There are extra walks for special occasions. The programme this Billet party, to follow the battle from the Yorkist viewpoint. 01684 294939 winter and spring is: to express an interest, so that we can decide on travel arrangements. Sunday February 3 The charge for a walk is a very April 14. Visit to Medieval Oxford, the Pitt-Rivers Museum and Sunday March 3 reasonable £1 for adults, and Minster Lovell on the way back. Details will follow shortly. Sunday April 7 children are free. Anyone who May 19 A stroll from the Gupshill to Tredington and back, looking at Sunday May 5 All at 2.30pm finds it boring needn't pay. the Yorkist route to the battle. Details later. Thursday June 6 Proceeds go to the Battlefield Thursday July 4 Society. Thursday July 11. All at 7.30pm Walks start from the Crescent Sunday July 14.11.00 bus stop in Church Street, TOU/TOM BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY Thursday August 1 except July Tow/ton has an active battlefield Society, which meets Thursday Sept 5. All at 7.30pm monthly at Saxton Village Hall. A long way to go for a night out if you live south of Sheffield, but there are Contacts for Volunteers some very good events. As with all earlier issues, we are still grateful for all the help that can be The next is a talk by Jean Merdy on February 4-th, on the given: subject "Tales of Tudor Tadcaster" • Publicity • Working on the Tewkesbury Museum battle room Chairman of the Society is Martin Tarpey, who can be • Fund raising for the statue contacted on OII3 272 5571 for more information, or • Writing for the newsletter you can surf the net: • Banner painting or bunting making • Surveying the Battlefield www.oldtykes.co.uk/TowBatSoc.htm • Help with the Society stall at the Tewkesbury Festival, and elsewhere • Maintaining the battletrail & field If you can spare a little time and skill, contact Steve Goodchild: 01684294939 Taurus the Bufl Malvern Chase If you should chance to travel along the West bank of the Severn, along Malvern Chase is a novel about the period of the Wars of the Roses, the edge of the Forest of Dean, having passed Lydney, leaving the starting roughly in 1460, and finishing in 1471. It was written by William roundabout at the end of the bypass, you will pass Taurus Crafts on your Symonds, whilst Rector of Pendrock, in the lands between the Severn and left. This is a venture which promotes local arts and crafts, housing a the Malverns south of the Tewkesbury to Ledbury Road. range of interesting workshops for ceramics, stained glass, and other things. The landmark you won't miss is the bull at the entrance. He's a 4 The book was published by W North of Tewkesbury in 1880, and gained meter high monster, made of oak fashioned from boughs in much the way immediate popularity. It was reprinted eight times to 1905, and then went in which houses and ships were framed in days of yore. When he was out of print. It has recently been re-published by Capella Archive of unveiled, he was missing his tail, on account of a lack of the right shape of Malvern, and makes an interesting read. timber, but that may now be remedied. William Symonds was born in Herefordshire, and obviously knew it well The bull was "released" by Diana Organ, MP at a ceremony on January and loved it. He published a large number of papers on scientific subjects, 11th. principally geology and natural history, and two historical romances; Malvern Chase and Hanley Castle, about the English Civil Wars. Prior to This is the work of Phil Bews, and is the prototype of the Tewkesbury his appointment to Pendrock he was curate at Offenham, which probably sculpture. Phil is now working on our maquet, which will be put on display accounts for the liberal sprinkling of Simon de Montfort references. in the Hat Shop when it's finished, which should be sometime in February, What the novel lacks in historical accuracy, and it is marginally better than Braveheart, it makes up for in the wonderful pictures it paints of the Severn Vale at a time when it was much less crowded, and much more difficult to travel in. It is also a view of what late medieval life was felt to be like by The Battlefields Trust Victorians, suffering from a different set of affectations to those of the second Elizabethans. The source of the word portrait of Sir Andrew The Battlefield Society is a corporate member of the Battlefields Trust. Trollope isn't clear, but beside him the Sheriff of Nottingham would be This brings with it a number of benefits, one of which is reduced price positively heroic! membership for our members. There is a reduction from £15 to £10, so if you intended to join anyway, doing it through the Tewkesbury Battlefield This is also the first account of the Wars of the Roses I've read which gives Society, at £5 per annum, means that you can join both for the price of the conflict a moral purpose, suggesting that the Yorkists stood for freedom of worship for Lollards and tolerance of those persecuted as sorcerers and one. witches by the Lancastrian party. The Trust publishes a regular newsletter, and has recently entered into an arrangement with the Yorkshire Battlefield Society for members to also It really is a good read, with plenty of local interest, lots of country lore, and some genuinely compulsive passages. receive their magazine, "The Battlefield". Edited by Chris Scott, this contains a lot of interesting articles, not only about Yorkshire. Sources of Information Membership also gives access to field trips and study weekends. The last major event was a study tour of Welsh border battlefields. Closer to home In the last edition, we featured a list of places to look for information about was a guided walk around the Civil War battlefield at Stow on the Wold. the Battle of Tewkesbury. This list was what it said. Short and random. There are many more authoratitive sources, and frequently those listed will We have a small stock of application forms for anyone wishing to take up themselves quote primary sources. The intention was merely to start a list individual membership. Please ask Mary. For existing members, simply which could ultimately have a research value, particularly if the texts could mention your membership of the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society when also be collected together. The suggestion was that they should be lodged renewing, and send the reduced fee. in Tewkesbury Library, and this seems a realistic aim. 18

17 The opening verses give a little taster of the style and sentiment. There isn't Lancastrian Poem room for the footnotes which should accompany it. The dedication is: "And thou, illustrious and lamented Prince; Thou gem of chivalry; thou filial martyr; Thy fate's my mournful theme." Another little gem from the past is a long poem published by James Bennett in 1821. Written by Cecelia Cooper, the poem is a product of its Upon this spot, the Royal Margaret chose, time, and has a very different point of view to ours, no matter where With her brave son, to wait her coming foes!* sympathies may lie. The following is taken from the second edition, of 1840, and opens with the following Author's preface: Yon sacred pile,* in awful grandeur stood, As if to turn their thoughts to peace - from blood. Having for several years been applied to for copies of the first edition of Could some blessed shade have whisper'd from the tomb, my poem, "THE BATTLE OF TEWKESBURY," which has long been out To warn her of her noble child's dire doom, of print, I have been advised to venture on a second. Ev'n the ambitious fire of Margaret's mind Would have succoumb'd and been to fate resign'd! Urged to this step, too, by a recollection of the condescending notice and But no! It could not be! For 'twas decreed, approval of that accomplished and unfortunate princess, Caroline of For here the noble and base should bleed: Brunswick, whose talents and acquirements her greatest enemies allowed Here the white rose triumphant rear'd it's head, were well fitted to adorn a throne, I the more confidently enter on the task; Here the sweet blossom of the red one bled. being assured there are few, now that party feeling may be supposed to slumber in the grave of that illustrious Lady, who will not admit the The heroic suffering mother, and the wife, aimiable spirit that dictated the following letter, in answer to one addressed The long tried victim of a civil strife, to her by myself. Worn by her voyage, forced march, and want of rest, Once more a hostile host with fire address'd:- "MADAM "Soldiers - your Queen, thus forc'd to make a stand, "With your good aid may win again this land, "According to your desire, I presented your elegant little poem to the "The scene of your past joys, your native home, Queen, and her Majesty commands me to thank you for the same, as well "In which your King now waits a captive's doom. as those sentiments of loyalty and attachment that pervade your letter. "His wife's, his greatly injured consort's woes, "I am, Madam, "This day prolongs or brings to final close. "But e'er the strife begins, hear her declare, Your most obedient, and see "Whate'er the issue of this fatal war, "Whether a throne restor'd or dungeon's gloom, "A. HAMILTON." 'Your long proved faith will either state illume. "Jan. 16 1821." "Had Pembroke's forces timely join'd our host, "Edward might then have deem'd his chances lost; Trusting the few additions I have made to the original will meet with a "Unyielding, desperate, fresh from their mountain lair, similar indulgence to that which my former effort experienced from my "What would not such allies have sought to dare! friends and the public, "Strongly devoted to their Prince, my son, "What would not Cambria's warlike hoards have done! I beg to subscribe myself to their most obliged and obedient servant, C. COOPER. And so on for 36 pages. We hope to publish this booklet later in the year, once we have some background about Cecelia Cooper. Anyone wanting a copy, please contact me. -Steve Goodchild

19 SLO Contact The Battle/ield Society Committee is:

Peter Brookes Beringaria Fitzhamon-Davies Craig Fletcher Steve Goodchild Chairman Ruth Howgate Brian Howgate Treasurer Mary Macdonald Secretary Peter Williams Bernie Willoughby

The Committee meets on the third Wednesday in alternate months, to discuss the ongoing business of the Society. Regular open meetings and events are held, and these are advertised either in the newsletter or by mailshot to Society members

Membership is open to all with an interest in preserving and enhancing our medieval heritage. Full membership is £5.00 per annum, family membership £7.50 and overseas membership £10. Details can be obtained from the Secretary. 01531 636524

Volunteers with knowledge and experience of any aspect o/ historical research would be welcomed with open arms.

The Society has a presence on the Internet at http://www.tewkesbury.org/battlefield Here you can find news and links to other related sites.

The Society newsletter is normally published twice a year.

The Society is indebted to Councillor Connor/or the name o/ it's newsletter