MORE than 500 history buffs will descend of Evesham to re-enact one of England's bloodiest and significant battles next weekend.

The Battle of Evesham took place more than 750 years ago, on August 4, 1265 to be precise, and was one of the two main battles of the Second Barons' War.

It marked the defeat of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the rebellious barons by future King Edward I who led the forces of his father, King Henry III.

Fourteen groups of living history performers, including mounted knights and more than 110 artisan trade stalls, are taking part in the Battle of Evesham Festival over the weekend of August 7-8.

The spectacular battle re-enactment event is now England’s largest annual c13th Battle re-enactment.

Staged on Evesham’s Crown Meadow on Saturday and Sunday, there will be armoured medieval knights and weapon demonstrations in the Living History Camps, including two trebuchets, iron-forges, leatherwork, wooden crafts, needlework, mead making and cooking.

“After so many events have had to be cancelled because of Covid – including last year’s Battle of Evesham Festival – we are thrilled to be able to put on what promises to be our best Battle of Evesham Festival yet,” said event director Mick Hurst.

“It’s taken a lot of careful planning to make the event happen, and many local people and organisations have worked hard for months to put on a festival which will provide a great informative and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages.

“While Covid restrictions have now eased, the battle committee has made the safety of our re-enactors, traders, volunteers and the public its first priority and we will be staging the event over a wide area to enable social distancing to be maintained.

“Costs of staging the festival have gone up sharply so while we’ve been able to maintain free admission to the event, volunteers will be collecting donations around the festival to help us stage future events.”

Full details on the Battle of Evesham Festival, and the medieval banquet which takes place on October 23, can be found on Facebook or via the website: www.battleofevesham.co.uk