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15
Aug 2022
Knights swelter in 31 degrees at Boroughbridge re-enactment
Members of a military re-enactment group sweltered in 31 degree heat in Boroughbridge on Saturday.
The arming the knight display was part of the launch of the Battle of Boroughbridge battlefield trail.
It was the final event of a programme celebrating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322.
3 Swords re-enactment group demonstrated how mediaeval knights equipped themselves for battle.
Group members took 45 minutes to put on layer upon layer of clothing, maille armour, leather padding, steel plate and helmets, which were almost too hot to handle.
The new battlefield trail has information boards erected at key sites around the town to explain what happened when rebel barons led by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, fought across the River Ure with King Edward II’s forces led by Sir Andrew de Harclay.
Mayor Sean Hynes with the 3 Swords team and Chris Rock and Louise Whittaker, of the Battlefields Trust.
The battle ended in victory for the king’s army after one of the rebel’s leaders, the Earl of Hereford, was killed when a pikeman thrust his spear from beneath the narrow timber bridge across the Ure and Sir Roger de Clifford, of Skipton, was seriously injured.
After an overnight truce, the king’s army entered Boroughbridge and arrested Lancaster, who was taken to his castle at Pontefract for a show trial. He was sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered, but received a merciful death by beheading.
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The anniversary celebrations were organised by the Battlefields Trust, Boroughbridge and District Historical Society and Boroughbridge Town Council, with support from developer Miller Homes.
The information boards were illustrated by Chris Rock, Yorkshire region chair of the Battlefields Trust.
Sean Hynes, the Mayor of Boroughbridge, paid to everyone involved during Saturday's events.
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