• Sealed Knot musket fire

The UK’s oldest re-enactment society, the Sealed Knot, will stage a vivid recreation of the Civil War siege of Basing House in Old Basing this Easter weekend.

Once the largest private house in Tudor England, Basing House, which is run by Hampshire Cultural Trust, was a loyalist stronghold during the English Civil War. It came under attack over a number of years by Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians, before finally being stormed and destroyed in October 1645. This Easter bank holiday, the Sealed Knot will mark the 375th anniversary of the 1644 battle at Basing House.

The Sealed Knot will be in action on Saturday 20, Sunday 21 and Monday 22 April. On all three days, there will be a living history encampment showing what life was like during the Civil War for everyday people, with displays including cookery, wood turning, spinning and more by artisans and craftspeople.

Visitors will experience the excitement of the Civil War live on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 April, when there will be a gripping re-enactment of the breaking of the siege of Basing House.  At 2:00pm on both days, the rival armies will assemble in full costume and armour and march to the stunning Tudor Great Barn where a skirmish with musket fire will kick off the afternoon’s battle action. The two armies will then parade through Old Basing, to undertake re-enactments of the first assault on the house and the main battle itself. This fun, thrilling and educational weekend is a great event for all the family to enjoy, with cannon fire, muskets, pikes and drums creating a dramatic atmosphere and bringing to life the siege of one of the former great houses of England.

Admission to the event is with the purchase of the Basing House annual ticket, available from the Hampshire Cultural Trust website, which is valid for re-entry for a whole year.

 

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