PICTURE SPECIAL: Siege of Crowland Abbey 1643 re-enacted for the third time by The Sealed Knot
Two South Holland towns met on the battlefield at the weekend nearly 380 years after weapons were last drawn on each other.
But it was all one big act on Saturday and Sunday as members of British historical charity The Sealed Knot restaged the 1643 Siege of Crowland Abbey when the church and its people were attacked by Parliamentarians from Spalding as part of the English Civil War.
Battle commenced on Crowland's Snowden Playing Fields after re-enactors, dressed in costumes from the 17th century, marched through the town centre before the opposing sides met at Trinity Bridge.
Hundreds of visitors saw a total of seven "battles" over the two days, including a "night fight" with live artillery, cannons, rifles and mortars.
Alongside the re-enactment was a living history camp, with clothing, cooking, weaponry and accommodation from the Civil War period.
The Rev Mike Ongyerth, a member of Crowland's re-enactment and ex-assistant priest of the town, said: "This was the third time we had hosted the re-enactment, but this year we had cavalry and mounted soldiers, a fireworks display and live music from The Houndogs.
Colonel-General Jon Courtney-Thompson approach Crowland Abbey. Photo by Tim Wilson. SG-140919-121TW
"The re-enactment itself was based on history when, in 1643, Crowland was a Royalist town supporting King Charles I.
"Because of this, the Vicar of Spalding (the Rev Ram) sent a letter to Crowland which said that the town was on the wrong side.
"Enraged by the letter, the Crowland militia kidnapped the Rev Ram and kept him prisoner inside Crowland Abbey.
"Then a fight ensued between the Crowland and Spalding militias which pitted brothers against brothers, fathers against sons, before Cromwell sent his troops from Huntingdon to release the Rev Ram."
A truce between the militias broke out on Sunday morning when Mr Ongyerth gave a sermon during a communion service at Crowland Abbey where a number of re-enactors were dressed in their clothes from the period in question.
"The re-enactment idea started when a member of the Crowland Abbey choir, who was also a member of The Sealed Knot, suggested that we hold an event.
"So the first one was in 2015 and we've done it every two years since then."
"People think the re-enactment is fantastic and we had nothing but congratulations from people all weekend."
The role of the Rev Ram was played for the third consecutive time by Crowland Abbey's current priest-in-charge, the Rev Charles Brown, who said: I truly enjoyed portraying the vicar on what was a great weekend.
"The floodlit parade before Saturday's night fight was great, as was the night fight itself and the fireworks display which followed.
"It was a great event for the whole community and we had great weather for it."
Jon Courtney-Thompson, of The Sealed Knot, said: "Crowland has a really good story which is something we can replicate with 250-300 people, some of whom came from Lancashire, Essex, Suffolk and the West Midlands.
"We all enjoy the historical aspects of what we do and sharing the knowledge that we have, with some liking the fighting and physicality of the re-enactment as well.
"Some of our re-enactors experience Crowland for the first time this year and they really loved it, so it was a beautiful weekend for us."
Crowland parish and district councillor Bryan Alcock said: "It's appropriate for the re-enactment to be here because of the fact that Crowland was a bit out of step at the time of Oliver Cromwell.
"But it's also a wonderful setting and if you talked to any of the people from The Sealed Knot who come every two years, they love it because the setting is authentic.
"It just goes to show that a small organising committee can put on something like this."
