Leicester Riverside Festival - Siege Of Leicester

 

Joining the Leicester Riverside Festival for the first time in 2025 was a recreation of the Siege Of Leicester, in 1645 the Siege of Leicester took place during the English Civil War where Royalist forces, led by Prince Rupert, besieged and sacked the town. In 2025 the The Militias Of Anglia recreated scenes form the period on the streets in and around Leicester Castle and the Newarke on which it actually took place 380 years ago. We open at Leicester castle where the Re-enactors have created a living history encampment teaching visitors about the period, the living conditions of those serving and accurate costumes they are wearing. Next we see the colours raised as the siege begins, following the march beat of the drum out of Leicester Castle, under Turret Gateway and onto the Newarke where various demonstrations of techniques used in the siege are performed for the gathered crowds including very loud shots from period accurate firearms (handled by trained and certified re-enactors). We then follow them as they return to the Castle passing the micro pub before they are dismissed. To find out more about this period and the history of Leicester generally i recommend viewing the @HiddenHistoriesofLeicester channel and the various series hosted by Jim Butler.