AN ESTIMATED 60,000 people have attended one of the biggest medieval festivals in the UK.
Records were once again broken at the 8th annual Battle of Evesham Medieval Festival, which welcomed more than 1,000 re-enactors from across Europe.
Knights on horseback, archers, blacksmiths, and more all descended on Crown Meadow in Evesham for the festival, staying in living history camps throughout the weekend.
Particular highlights included the Grand Parade with 1,000+ re-enactors marching through the centre of Evesham, and a number of battles in the arena.
Mick Hurst, director of The Battle of Evesham Festival, said: “This was the 8th year of the festival.
“The sunshine came out to play, and so did an estimated 60,000 people.
“People came from far and wide; we had a couple from Singapore, another from America, who were obviously here on an extended holiday but had planned their trip around the Battle of Evesham, which was fantastic to see.
“There was a good mixture of people. Some people come every year. A lot of people who come for the first time can’t actually believe how much is going on and how big it is, and they actually spend a lot more time here than they had planned.
“Watching the action was fantastic.
“We had similar numbers last year over the course of three days, but this year the Battle of Evesham Festival was over Saturday and Sunday (August 1/2), so it was the biggest ever turnout.
“It’s very humbling. We put in so much effort. We have a team of 80+ volunteers who work year-round to make the festival a success.
“Hopefully, as Evesham becomes a bit tidier in the future, it will marry with the success of the festival and continue to grow.
“We also had more than 1,000 reenactors. They loved it. They came from across Europe. We also had full families and babies in arms. I met the latest member of one group who was 1 year old. It’s all very humbling considering it all started as a bit of a hobby.”
The Battle of Evesham was fought on August 4, 1265, marking one of the two main battles of 13th-century England’s Second Barons’ War.
It ended with the defeat of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the rebellious barons by the future King Edward I, who led the forces of his father, King Henry III.
