The Project

Our group is working with Swords of Mercia and Chesterfield Borough Council to create an event in New Square, Chesterfield on the anniversary of the battle of Chesterfield.

We plan to have an arena with entertainment and an adjacent craft area.

Before the event we hope to build a 'medieval style cart' to use on the day, more details here.

We hope that groups of residents from around the borough will form into guilds and march into New Square on the day - schools, pubs and community groups could all form guilds. All the guilds will be asked to create a banner and the banners will be placed around New Square.
(Have a look at the photo on our Home Page slideshow for banner ideas. No bigger than 1m square, we suggest.)

The highlight of the day will be a re-enactment of Robert de Ferrers being brought out of the 'Crooked Spire' and paraded through town on a medieval style cart we hope to build. He will then be 'tried' in New Square and banished from Chesterfield!

Our Proclamation:

Let it be known that, in the Year of Our Lord 1266, the traitorous knave and varlet Robert de Ferrers, then Earl Of Derby, having sworn fealty to his right and proper King, Henry 3, did, against all honour and lawfulness, then rebel against said noble King. Meeting with the ignoble and cowardly Baldwin Wake, they did flee north, pursued by the valiant and true Prince Henry of Almain, nephew to the King. Coming to the fair and honest Borough of Chesterfield, and knowing that he was closely pursued by the loyal and decent Prince Henry, Robert de Ferrers, sorely afflicted with the gout, did sacrilegiously seek to conceal himself within the walls of the Church of St Mary's. Hearing of this, the brave men of Brampton did make haste to defend and protect such constructions as were duly and properly entrusted to their Parish. The brave Prince Henry, coming near to the Church, did then engage in Battle with such of the traitor de Ferrers troops and fellow-travellers as did remain, triumphing over them as was right and proper, and ordained by God. The ignoble cur de Ferrers was then dragged from where he cowered, placed in gyves and chains and thence dispatched by cart to London, there to meet such justice as his true and merciful King should deem most fit.
In commemoration of this, a committee of Burgesses has placed before the Duly Elected Council of The Town, proposals for An Entertainment to remember and celebrate said battle, and consequent arrest of the scurvy de Ferrers. The proposals being deemed appropriate, let it be known that, in the Year of Grace 2016, Said Entertainment will take place on the day of 15th May, in and around the Place of The New Market Square. Said Entertainment will feature divers amusements and disports as seem both fitting and proper. We call upon the people of Chesterfield to form themselves into Guilds, accommodating therein such interests as they see fit, be they either Photographers or Gardeners, Townswomen or apiarists, makers of macrame or of motor cars, kite-fliers or podiatrists – we entreat thee, form ye into bands and join the entertainments.
We also call upon the people of all surrounding Parishes to wash from history the calumny that their own staunch Parishes did not defend holy St Mary's from the imprecations of the impious Earl Of Derby. Various challenges shall be set forth, designed to test such skills, ingenuities and braveness of heart and body as are seen as fitting and right for such Entertainment. By most wondrous magic there has been created An Website, and also An Book Of Face, that such citizens as desire may follow preparations and commit their Guilds, Clubs, Groups and own persons to take part.
Furthermore, we beseech that any such Burgess or Citizen who desires to assist and aid in making said Entertainments most pleasant and enjoyable, join with us in preparations; we also beseech any such Business or Enterprise as may have monies or materials or any such benefits as may be best employed for the provision of the Entertainments, make yourself known to the Committee of Burgesses, such that your generosity may be welcomed and then heralded to the Town and Borough.
God Save The Queen.

Here are some links to articles about the Battle of Chesterfield...

An article from the Derbyshire Times about the 700th anniversary

An article from the Derbyshire Times from this year (2015) part one
An article from the Derbyshire Times from this year (2015) part two

The original article in Reflections magazine from 2003 which sparked my interest part one
The original article in Reflections magazine from 2003 which sparked my interest part two
The original article in Reflections magazine from 2003 which sparked my interest part three