The Siege of Kenilworth
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12662016 THE SIEGE OF KENILWORTH THE SIEGE OF KENILWORTH 750th anniversary souvenir programme CONTENTS Foreword by Cllr Richard Davies, Mayor of Kenilworth In 2016 Kenilworth The commemoration also gives us the 12662016 commemorates the opportunity to celebrate Kenilworth’s THE SIEGE OF KENILWORTH Foreword 3 750th anniversary community spirit and I am delighted of the Siege of by the number of local people and Commemorative Kenilworth. It was organisations that are choosing to mark a momentous, yet the occasion with special events and events and activities 4 still relatively little activities. Please give them your support. known, event in Things to see and do Kenilworth’s history, the story of which I would like to thank Kenilworth Historical in Kenilworth 6 you will find inside this booklet. and Archaeology Society for their support in writing this booklet. Thank The siege was last celebrated in you also to English Heritage for the The Siege of the town in 1966 and in 2016 it is photography. Without their contributions Kenilworth timeline 10 worthy of further recognition. this booklet would not exist. It gives Kenilworth an opportunity to 750 years ago Kenilworth was at the The Siege of Kenilworth 8 reflect on its history and to showcase centre of a long and bloody civil war some of the features that give the in Britain. We are fortunate today town its unique identity. Kenilworth is to live in more peaceful times. a wonderful town in which many of us are lucky to live and work and the Let us reflect on the past, enjoy siege anniversary gives us the chance the present and look forward to share the town with others. to Kenilworth’s future. 3 COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES The Summer of Siege Kenilworth Carnival at Kenilworth Castle Saturday 2 July Various dates Kenilworth Town Centre Kenilworth Castle and and Abbey Fields The Siege of Kenilworth – The Round Table Bonfire Elizabethan Garden Join the fun of a siege themed carnival. The Town Commemoration and Fireworks Gala Saturday 27 August Saturday 5 November Kenilworth Castle hosts a range Expect rebel forces and the King’s Abbey Fields Kenilworth Castle of mediaeval themed activities men. Whose side are you on? Join us in Abbey Fields and meet King Set in front of the magnificent for all the family throughout the Henry III as he prepares for the siege. ruins of Kenilworth Castle, enjoy a summer months, including circus See how the Dictum of Kenilworth special evening of fireworks set to performers and arts and crafts. Knights and Castles Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 August would have been created and learn a backdrop of lights and music. Kenilworth Library more about life in 1266 as the scene Commemorating the Siege 1966 Art workshop series with Steve Smallman. is set for the siege to follow. From July 2016 10.30am-3pm each day (ages 8-11). Old Town Christmas Light Switch Kenilworth Library On presents a Mediaeval Christmas Share memories as the library service The Siege of Kenilworth Castle Friday 2 December hosts an exhibition remembering Siege! Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August High St Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 August how the siege was commemorated Kenilworth Castle and The always popular light switch-on Kenilworth Library in Kenilworth 50 years ago. Elizabethan Garden event will feature a mediaeval twist. Dance workshop series with The Summer Extravaganza! The biggest Motionhouse Dance Company. show at Kenilworth Castle since 1266. 10.30am-3pm each day (ages 12 to 15). See the siege encampments, meet the Churches Together soldiers and learn more about what life Thanksgiving Service during the siege was like. With flaming Sunday 11 December trebuchets and battle re-enactments St. Nicholas Church, High St this is a show you won’t want to miss! Churches Together marks the end of the events commemorating the 750th anniversary of the Siege and Dictum of Kenilworth with a service of thanksgiving. 4 5 THINGS TO SEE AND 1 Kenilworth Castle The stronghold of Simon de Montfort, Kenilworth Castle hosted the rebel DO IN KENILWORTH forces between 1265 and 1266 as they fought the King and his men. Enjoy a range of mediaeval themed events and activities at Kenilworth Castle throughout 2016. Don’t miss 3 the spectacular recreation of the siege taking place on 28 and 29 August! 6 5 2 Kenilworth Abbey and Museum 1 A Priory in mediaeval times, 2 Kenilworth’s Abbey, though now in ruins, is likely to have hosted the King and the many other important people during the Siege in 1266. It is also the site at which historians believe the Parliament would have been held. Visit the Barn Museum between June and mid-September where a special 4 siege exhibition will be on show. The town will also be commemorating the siege on 27 August with an event in Abbey Fields where visitors will be able meet King Henry III as he prepares for the siege of the castle. 6 7 3 Parliament Piece 5 St. Nicholas Church Now a nature reserve, Parliament Kenilworth’s oldest church first Piece has long been thought of referred to in 1281 just a few years locally as the site at which King after the Siege of Kenilworth. Henry III held his Parliament. An During the siege weekend in August, interpretation board at the site the church will be displaying High explains more about the site’s history Mass vestments. The church and its current management. will also be hosting a service of thanksgiving to mark the end of the siege events in December. 4 Kenilworth Library The library service will be marking the 750th anniversary of the siege with an exhibition about life in Kenilworth in 1966 – the last time the town marked 6 Castle Hill the event during the 700th anniversary! Cardinal Ottobuono excommunicated There will be a series of talks the rebels from Castle Hill. The between July and December, document from which the Cardinal as well as workshops for young read was a Papal Bull and Castle Hill people during the summer holidays. remains known locally as Bull Hill. Participants will take part in the town celebrations on 27 August. 8 9 June 1266 King Henry III and THE SIEGE OF KENILWORTH - his men march on Kenilworth and the Siege of TIMELINE 1264 Kenilworth begins. The Second Barons War begins July 1266 The representative of as the King fails the Pope in England to keep to the excommunicates the changes agreed 1258 rebels in the Castle. Powerful in the Provision of landowners, known Oxford. The war as Barons, become August 1266 pits the King’s men 1265 A Parliament takes unhappy with the The Royal Army against the armies place in Kenilworth rule of King Henry defeats the Barons’ 1230 of the Barons. to find a way to end Simon de Montfort, III. They force army at the Battle the siege peacefully. future Earl of reforms - known of Evesham. Simon The Dictum of Leicester, arrives in as the Provisions de Montfort is killed Kenilworth is agreed England. He later of Oxford which and power returns which sets out the marries the sister reduce the power to King Henry III. terms of surrender. of King Henry. of the King. 1216 1253 1264 1265 October 1266 King Henry III King Henry III The Barons’ The surviving The rebels reject the becomes King gives Kenilworth army defeats the rebel army retreat Dictum of Kenilworth. of England. Castle to Simon Royal Army at the to Kenilworth de Montfort Battle of Lewes. Castle. King Henry November 1266 and his wife. Simon de Montfort III offers them Fighting continues becomes virtual several chances but disease and ruler of England. to surrender the famine start to Castle but these affect the rebels are turned down. in the Castle. December 1266 The siege ends. The rebels surrender and accept the terms of the Dictum. 10 11 The Whose side are you on? To understand the background to the Despite the fact that Simon de Montfort Siege of Kenilworth, we need to know and King Henry were very different something of the main characters people, they got on well. However concerned, King Henry III and Simon de by 1258, Henry’s rule had become Montfort, and the events that led up to it. unpopular with his barons, including Simon, because of his abuse of power, Henry III became King in 1216 when his expensive overseas campaigns, he was only nine years of age. high taxation and his growing reliance on his foreign favourites for advice. From 1232 Henry ruled England personally, investing heavily in a A group of his barons - including Simon handful of his favourite palaces and De Montfort - forced the King to make castles, including Kenilworth Castle. changes to how he ran the country and reformed the royal government In the feudal hierarchy of mediaeval through a process called the Provisions England, Henry ruled the country of Oxford which took some of the supported by his barons. One of these King’s power away from him. barons’ was Simon de Montfort. The King ignored the Provisions of Simon de Montfort was born at Montfort- Oxford. This led to civil war – the second l’Amaury, France, around 1208 and came Barons War of the 13th century - where to England in 1230 to regain the earldom the armies of the King battled for of Leicester which had once been held power against the armies of the Barons by his family. He found favour with King – now led by Simon de Montfort. Henry III, became Earl of Leicester and married Eleanor, the King’s sister.