'The Battle of Worcester 1651'
re-enactment on the 1st, and 2nd, of September 2001

at Manor Farm, Malvern Road, Worcester, UK

One of the most momentous events in our history was the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The success of Cromwell in defeating an army made up mainly of Highlanders, had an effect not only on the history of Great Britain, but also of North America.

800 MacLeods were killed at Worcester supporting the Stuart Cause, and in memory of them and of the rest of the 3000Scots who died, a dedication ceremony was held at 11.00am on Sunday 2nd September 2001 at the old Powick Bridge Battle Site at Worcester.

A two ton block of Scottish Granite, suitably inscribed, was unveiled by Tam Dalyell MP, whose ancestor, also called Tam fought at Worcester, and subsequently raised The Royal Scots Greys.

The dedication service was conducted by the local Minister, who introduced the very moving service with the words 'We gather here to commemorate the Battle of Worcester, 350 years ago, to honour the Scots who died in that battle far from their homes, and in their memory to dedicate a fitting memorial near the places where they lie buried. 'The service ended with a lone piper playing the 'Flowers of the Forest'.

We also remembered the 2000 Scottish prisoners who were sent as forced labour to North America in 1652. The infusion of Scottish blood into the New England and Virginian population was to provide the United States with a very rich genetic base for their further development. Although the transportation of prisoners was a catastrophe for them at the time, undoubtedly, it has been to the benefit of the USA and to the world.

The whole idea for this Worcester event was the brainchild of Mr John S B Bennett, who was our host, and whose farming family have for many years been the owners of the land on which this final battle of the Civil War took place. He had invited Chief John, who had a previous engagement in Scotland, and John then asked Iain Breac and I to represent him. John Bennett arranged for the Sealed Knot Society to re enact the Battle, and to illustrate the brave fight put up by the Highland Army, and Breac and I watched this wonderfully staged battle, cheered on the Scots, and waved our MacLeod flags on the Saturday afternoon, 1st September.

After this we attended the Guildhall Caledonian Banquet, and sat at the Mayor's Table representing the MacLeod Clan. Other Clan Chiefs who were represented included the Mackenzies, MacGreggors, and Ross's.
The event had been widely advertised on the Internet at www.battleofworcester.co.uk and guests came from all over Britain, as well as clansmen and women from overseas from San Diego, Salt Lake City, New Zealand, France and Germany.

The Mayor of Worcester, Councillor David K Clark, was our host for the Banquet, and he presented each of the Guests of Honour with beautifully engraved glass plaques with their names on. As a glass engraver by profession the Mayor had made these himself. Breac was so pleased and honoured with his gift, which he felt he was receiving on behalf of Chief John and all members of Clan MacLeod. The Mayor and Lady Mayoress were enthusiastic Scottish dancers for the Scottish Country Dancing that took place later in the Lower Hall. The Banquet itself took place in the magnificent Banqueting Hall, where we were surrounded by superb oil paintings of the Kings and Queens of England and Scotland, and on the staircase by portraits of previous Mayors (John Bennett's father was Mayor of Worcester when Sir Winston Churchill received the Freedom of the City in 1951).

The Clan MacLeod Society of England members (Ewan, President, Breac and Elizabeth, Ian of Raasay, Bob from Malvern, Sam from Milton Keynes, and James McCrimmon from Essex) met at 10 .30 am on the Saturday at The Commandery, near the Cathedral and the famous Bridge in the very centre of the City. This was where the Duke of Hamilton, Commander of the Stuart Army, had his headquarters, and where there is an excellent permanent exhibition of Civil War memorabilia. We saw the room where the Duke 'breathed his last' one week after the Battle due to gangrene in his leg. We wandered about the Commandery Gardens where the Sealed Knot Living History Group demonstrated the life styles of the period in full costumes. They had pitched camp both here and at Bennett's Farm Park, where they played the parts of some very realistic 'camp followers' during the battle re enactment.

This memorable 2 day visit to Worcester was one of the many enjoyable perks that I have had over the years being married to a MacLeod. Sadly, if I had been married to a MacLeod in 1651, I might not have been so lucky!

Elizabeth M MacLeod
elizabethmacleod@dial.pipex.com
Wife of Iain Breac MacLeod of Bay Gillen and Varkasaig
(past President of Clan MacLeod Society of England)
3rd Sept 2001

Click here to view photos of this exciting event

Contact the Worcester Tourist Information Centre

By Telephone: (44) 01905 726311
or Email: touristinfo@cityofworcester.gov.uk