OUR esteemed President George Bourne opened our meeting with a reminder about our forthcoming visit to the SS Great Britain on 11 May and informed us that we now have a Club membership of 45. This shows what an interesting and thriving club we have, of which we are all very proud.

George introduced this week’s speaker, our old friend Brigadier Ian Shapter of Cheltenham, who has addressed us on five previous occasions. He spoke about the social and cultural conditions in England which were a backdrop to the Hundred Years War which started in 1337.

In those days villages or settlements tended to have manor houses controlled by the local lords or the wealthy people of each area. They set the laws and ways by which the peasants had to abide.

It was a feudal time with many skirmishes and arguments over land and property. With the introduction of the Royal Charter new laws came in, including one whereby you were fined a penny if you left your horse standing in the market place on market day. This amused our members greatly.

Ian described the Peasants Revolt of 1381, led by Watt Tyler, when the poor rose up against pay and conditions and poll tax issues (nothing’s changed there then). Unfortunately Watt Tyler was killed by the then Mayor of London whilst visiting the King to try and resolve the issues.

Grenville Burrows thanked Ian Shapter on our behalf. Next week we shall have a music quiz presented by our fellow member Steve Swarbrick.

Information about our Club, including our programme of forthcoming talks, is on our website: www.eveshamprobus.co.uk.

ANDY RICHARDSON