Battle of Chesterfield celebrations to take place

A large, medieval-style event – organised by the Chesterfield 750 group – will be held in the town centre on Sunday.

Starting at 11am in New Market Square, the spectacle promises fun for all the family including music, dancing and a battle from the Swords of Mercia recreation group.

A march involving a number of organisations – including schools, clubs and community groups – will also take place.

The highlight of the day will be a reenactment of Robert Ferrers being brought out of the Crooked Spire and paraded through town on a medieval-style cart.

He will then be ‘tried’ and banished from Chesterfield.

The Battle of Chesterfield, which took place in and around the town on May 15, 1266, involved baronial and royalist forces.

Historical literature states that the baronial leaders – including Baldwin Wake, the Lord of Chesterfield, and Ferrers, the Earl of Derby – clashed with royalist forces led by Henry of Almain, nephew to Henry III.

The royalists used wagons to gain entry to the town. A bloody battle ensued and the royalist forces eventually won.

Wake escaped the fighting and joined other disinherited barons at the Isle of Axholme. Ferrers was captured, taken ‘in irons’ to London and ‘totally disinherited’ later that year.

List of the day’s events

11am: Proclamation and announcement of the opening of the event

11.05am: Music from Baldwin’s Wake

11.15am: Cock and Magpie Morris/Chesterfield Garland dancers

11.30am: Swords of Mercia reenactment with activities involving children

12pm: Music from Baldwin’s Wake

12.15pm: Dance from Cock and Magpie/Chesterfield Garland dancers

1pm: Mayor’s arrival and tour of New Square

1.30pm: Robert Ferrers brought to trial by cart followed by Swords of Mercia

reenactment of trial by combat.

2pm: Announcement of the winners of library’s ‘Then and Now Competition’

2.05pm: Cock and Magpie/Chesterfield Garland dancers

2.30pm: Music from Baldwin’s Wake

3pm: Final proclamation and end of event