This August bank holiday, around 2,000 re-enactors have flooded to Chester in order to perform a re-enactment of the historic Battle of Rowton Moor, which was the last major battle of the English Civil War.

Although the original battle, which took place on September 24, 1645, was actually fought around 2 miles away from the city, the re-enactment's make-shift battle ground is Chester Racecourse.

I actually had no idea this event was taking place until around lunch time today, when I was sitting eating my lunch and watching YouTube videos and all of a sudden started hearing booming drums in the distance outside. I popped my head out of the window and saw the great hoard of re-enactors marching in formation across the bridge from Handbridge to Chester, making their way to the racecourse. I ummed and ahhed for a few minutes as to whether I should venture outside and see what was happening, and eventually decided that I couldn't miss it.

A little known fact about me is that I actually did exactly this type of re-enactment, same time period and everything, from basically birth until I was around 10, and so seeing so many re-enactors brought memories flooding back and filled me with nostalgia.

I raced down to the racecourse (sorry, had to be done), settled down in a prime viewing grassy spot and watched the battle unfold. This is a pretty picture heavy post, so brace yourself!

The troops marched onto the field...








 As the Royalist forces took position, the Parliamentary forces began to march onto the battleground.