Keeping your powder dry for Civil War at Aston Hall

Sunday 11 October 2015

The autumnal setting of Aston Hall will ring with the sound of musket fire on Sunday 11 October, as the historic property plays host to a party of Civil War soldiers asking the crucial question of the day: “Do you support King or Parliament?”

From 11.00am to 4.00pm, costumed re-enactors will patrol the grounds in Civil War recreations which bring to life the fateful moment in English History when Parliament – led by Oliver Cromwell - rebelled against the monarch, Charles I. 

“The Civil War was a terrible time for the people of England, with staunch supporters of the monarchy battling against the Parliamentarian forces of Cromwell, but the war was not quite as clear cut as Roundheads against Cavaliers, as throughout the turmoil, soldiers swapped their allegiances depending on how the war was going,” comments Kimberley Biddle, Museum Team Manager for Aston Hall.  “Families were torn apart and forced to fight each other in a war which saw many of the country’s historic castles partially demolished so that they could never again be used as a stronghold. Visitors to Aston Hall will see this it too bears the scars of cannon fire!”

Stationed alongside the soldiers throughout the day will be a barber surgeon – a gentleman who, as well as shaving off the soldier’s whiskers, was called upon during battle to tend to the wounded, and even amputate limbs!  With a toolkit comprising scissors, razor, clamps and a saw, visitors can hear stories of the distinctly barbaric steps used to save someone’s life in an age before antibiotics!

“Our soldiers will fire their muskets, so although we’re expecting shots to ring out, their aim is true and our barber surgeon will not be required to step in!” adds Kimberley.

The costumes of the re-enactors will also come under the spotlight in a mini fashion show, looking at the typical extravagant plumage, flowing hair and decorative trimmings of the Royalists – the term ‘Cavalier’ was first attached to this groups as an insult, but was soon adopted by the King’s supporters – to the more austere and functional clothing, hairstyles and armour of the Roundheads. 

Tickets for the event are £6.00 for adults, £5.00 for concessions and free for children aged under 16.  Aston Hall is located within Aston Park, close to junction 6 of the M6. 

For more information, please visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk or call 0121 348 8263 for more details

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Birmingham Museums Trust is an independent charity that manages the city’s museum collection and venues on behalf of Birmingham City Council. It uses the collection of around 800,000 objects to provide a wide range of arts, cultural and historical experiences, events and activities that deliver accessible learning, creativity and enjoyment for citizens and visitors to the city. Most areas of the collection are designated as being of national importance, including the finest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the world. Attracting over 1 million visits a year, the Trust’s venues include Aston Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Blakesley Hall, Museum Collections Centre, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Sarehole Mill, Soho House, Thinktank and Weoley Castle.  www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

Arts Council Englandchampions, develops and invests in artistic and cultural experiences that enrich people’s lives. It supports a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to digital art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2015 and 2018, Arts Council England plans to invest £1.1 billion of public money from government and an estimated £700 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

For further media information or photographs, please contact:

Jay Commins

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         0121 285 9899

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk