The meeting of the Romsley and Hunnington History Society on Tuesday, 24th November was well attended, with 46 members and visitors present. Max Keen gave a presentation - The Civil War in Worcestershire 1642-1651, or The Great Rebellion. Max, a teacher, certainly knew how to capture an audience, as he entered the Church Hall dressed as a Cavalier, bearing a very large Standard Flag!
History is always more interesting if it is local, and presented in such a way that you can imagine yourself there. Max's talk was certainly that. He began by outlining the causes of the Civil War between King Charles I, and later Charles II, and Oliver Cromwell. Men were recruited from the estates of the local lords and turned into soldiers. He described the features of the army uniforms, but surprisingly there was very little difference between the two sides. The Cavaliers wore red, while the Roundheads wore orange. The cavalry fought with swords and the foot soldiers fought with pikes and muskets. The battles were very bloody! Cromwell was brilliant at commanding his men and kept them under strict control.
In 1651 the army of Charles II was defeated at the battle of Worcester and the King had to flee for his life. Max's descriptions of the local conflicts between the Cavaliers and Roundheads were so vivid that it will be difficult to look at Dudley Castle, the Talbot Inn in Stourbridge, Friar Street in Worcester, and just outside my own cottage door (as there was even a skirmish on the old bridge at Bewdley), without imagining the sounds and sights of the Civil War. Three hundred and forty six years ago! If only lessons were like this in my school days. Max had one regret, however, and that was that there were no 'Blue Plaques' to commemorate these events! It was a very interesting evening.
The next meeting of the Society will take place on Tuesday, 23rd February at 7.30 p.m. in the Church Hall, when Derek Clarke will give a talk on 'The Restoration of the Cupola and Renewing of the Roof Coverings at Hanbury Hall'. The Court Rolls Group will meet on Wednesday, 13th January and Wednesday 10th February at 2.30 p.m. in the Church Hall. Everyone is welcome.
Pat Evans