Shropshire Gardens and Nurseries

29th July 2010

Parliamentarians Take Stokesay Castle!

Cromwell’s men are in town, and they are looking for new recruits to join the Parliamentarian forces this summer at Stokesay Castle!

Every Wednesday in August, professional historic interpreter Kevin Hicks will play the role of a Parliamentarian officer who has captured Stokesay Castle and is training a new garrison to help in the fight against the King’s Royalist troops. 

Children will be able to have a go at Pike drill – learning the formations that soldiers would have adopted to keep enemy horsemen away from the valuable musketeers who would take quite some time to reload their muskets between shots.  Pikes are long spear-like weapons, sometimes up to 18ft long, which were used to keep the enemy far enough away so that shorter hand-to-hand weapons could not be used, and giving the Musketeers room to fire their notoriously inaccurate weapons! 

Kevin will also demonstrate firing a replica musket, using real gunpowder, and show visitors the marks that Stokesay Castle still bears to illustrate its involvement in the Civil War – including musket loops cut into the front door – as one of a series of fortified manor houses throughout the county.

“A pike sergeant from the 17th century is an even tougher version of the drill sergeant that operates in the forces today – barking orders and expecting 100% obedience from their troops,” explains Kevin.  “By the end of their visit, we expect our young recruits to bring up their weapons and stand to attention with military precision!”

‘Time Travellers Go… Cavaliers & Roundheads’ runs every Wednesday during August from 11am to 5pm, with Stokesay Castle itself open daily from 10am.

To find out more visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/stokesaycastle