Bosworth Medieval Festival is to return this summer following a two-year absence, it has been announced.
The event, which attracts thousands of visitors, re-enactors, and traders, was cancelled in the last two years because of the pandemic.
It has now been confirmed that the festival will return across the weekend of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre in Leicestershire.
As the last significant battle in the Wars of the Roses, Bosworth was a pivotal moment in English history. Taking place on 22 August 1485, it saw a rebel army led by Henry Tudor defeat a much larger royal force led by King Richard III.
Richard, the last Plantagenet king of England, was killed, reportedly cut down ‘in the thickest press of his foes’. In the aftermath, the crown was handed to Henry, who became King Henry VII – ushering in the powerful Tudor Dynasty.
Despite its national importance, the exact location of the event was never written down, leading to much debate as to where it took place. The modern Heritage Centre is situated close to the battlefield’s estimated location.
Returning for this year’s festival will be various battle re-enactments by the Wars of the Roses Federation, including a staging of the events at Bosworth, complete with arms and cavalry, as the finale for both days.
The festival will also include a living history encampment, author talks, and a medieval craft market, as well as access to the centre’s award-winning exhibition.
Commenting on the announcement, Leicestershire County Council’s Councillor Christine Radford, cabinet member for heritage, leisure, and arts, said: ‘We’re delighted to be able to welcome Bosworth Medieval Festival back to our events calendar in August after two years without it.’
‘It is a great event with lots of activities for all the family, which attracts people from all over the UK and further afield and is always one of the highlights of the summer,’ she added.
You can keep up to date with the festival and related events at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre website.
