HEAVY rain failed to put off the crowds for 'one of the world's largest medieval festivals' as Evesham marked the battle which changed the course of history.

Mounted knights, archers and soldiers clashed in a re-enactment of the Battle of Evesham at the weekend with the rain mirroring the conditions of the actual conflict.

The Battle of Evesham Festival was a crowd-pleaser as it brought to life a vanished age of chivalry - and more than a little brutality - in vivid detail.

The downpours on Saturday failed to dampen the spirit of the crowds and more than 25,000 turned out to enjoy the spectacle.  

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Trevor Battersby, a committee member of the Battle of Evesham, said: "Considering the ‘rather moist' weather conditions on Saturday,  622 re-enactors came along to the heart of Evesham to help make the World’s largest gathering of performers representing the thirteenth-century.

"In spite of the rain, all of them took part in the Grand Parade on Saturday morning, including the 20 mounted Knights and over 30 representatives from the region's councils.

"Attendance was surprisingly high with an estimated 25,000 visitors braving the near authentic conditions of the real Battle of Evesham in 1265 (thankfully without the famous thunderstorm). Sunday was much drier and the feedback has been great on what was a fantastic weekend of medieval action. Visitors arrived for the weekend from Cyprus, Germany and Italy while others came from still further afield for a longer stay, including America, Canada, Australia and the Far East.

"The Battle of Evesham was an important event on the world’s political landscape and Evesham’s own Battle re-enactment has fast become an important fixture on the tourist agenda drawing people from all over the world."

We are already planning 2024 and the 760th anniversary festival in 2025.”

The Battle of Evesham, fought on August 4, 1265, was one of the two main battles of England's Second Barons' War. It ended with the defeat of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the rebellious barons by the future King Edward I, who led the forces of his father, King Henry III.