Battle of Evesham Re-enactment and Festival

1st – 2nd August 2026

THE MURDER OF EVESHAM

A thunderous storm erupted over massive Evesham Abbey in Worcestershire on August 4th 1265; an omen of the impending doom for the rebellious Baron’s army, which was about to change political history – not only of England but democracies around the world

Crusader Simon de Montfort, the Earl of Leicester, commanded his weary and bedraggled army of 5,000 men into battle to face a fresh, well-equipped and well-trained Royal army three times the size of his own.

“The Murder of Evesham – for Battle is was none” wrote contemporary chronicler Robert of Gloucester.

Leading to the greatest session of noble bloodletting and largest shift in land ownership since the Norman invasion, De Montfort was slain and his body mutilated. Around 5,000 men died in just a few hours on that fateful morning on Greenhill and in the streets of the beautiful riverside town of Evesham.

However, the seeds of democracy had been sown and Simon de Montfort is now widely recognised as the father of representative.

Both Simon de Montfort and King Edward I were two of the 23 influential lawgivers used by the United States when they formed their laws after independence in 1776. Indeed, what happened at the Battle of Evesham is of great interest to American historians keen to understand who influenced their laws.

The Battle of Evesham Re-enactment & Festival

To commemorate this momentous occasion that helped form democracies around the world, Europe’s largest free to enter 13th century medieval battle re-enactment will be held on Evesham’s five river meadows, which form a loop of the River Avon around the Evesham Abbey peninsula.

During the first full weekend of August up to 1,000 re-enactors and 25 mounted Knights travel from across Europe to recreate the battles of Lewes and Evesham in a colourful and noisy spectacle of medieval history.

The Battle of Evesham Festival also includes large living history camps where visitors can learn about life in the mid-13th century. See medieval surgeons and craftspeople at work, experience cooking, sewing, ironmongery and wood turning. Learn how to become a knight, dance like a maiden, listen to minstrels or have a go at archery and axe throwing. Or watch demonstrations from the experienced armed cavalry, archers, soldiers, and impressive working siege engines.

In between the action, visitors can browse the 150-plus artisan, medieval, food and drink trade stalls or relax at the beer tent with live entertainment or purchase tickets for talks from international best-selling authors and academics headlined by Professor Alice Roberts.

On Saturday at 10am all the re-enactors and horses gather for a Grand Parade through the streets of Evesham, finishing with a commemorative service in the ruins of Evesham. Sunday morning is the Mediaeval Knights Tourney competition on Crown Meadow featuring close combat on horse and foot.

For more information, speaker tickets and schedule, visit: www.battleofevesham.co.uk

Pictures © Battle of Evesham Supporters