St Oswald’s Church will present a re-enactment event by the Battle of Winwick Society to celebrate the church’s Heritage Weekend on Saturday and Sunday 7 and 8 September.
The Battle of Winwick fought on 19 August 1648 with muskets and pikes in the fields bordering Winwick, was an event of national significance in the English Civil War. The church became involved both as a battleground, a refuge, a prison for hundreds of Scottish soldiers fleeing the conflict and a base for Oliver Cromwell’s troops.
Dressed in authentic costume the Society members will give a dramatic and accurate re-enactment of the lifestyle and conditions endured by the defeated Scottish prisoners as well as an insight into those of the victorious Cromwellian troops and civilians involved in the war. The event will take place in the church and its grounds with an introductory talk in church on Saturday to present fascinating facts about the battle which ended the war and led to the death of King Charles lst.
St Oswald’s Church, Winwick was a prison for well over 1000 soldiers in the Civil War.
One of the best-preserved battlegrounds in the English Civil War and the soldiers who fought and died there will be remembered at a re-enactment event presented by the Battle of Winwick Society at St Oswald’s Church Heritage Weekend event on 7 and 8 September.
The battle of Winwick took place on 19 August 1648 between an invading royalist Scottish army and Oliver Cromwell’s troops on farm land between the village of Winwick and the town of Newton-le-Willows. St Oswald’s, a historic 13th-century Church where some of the fighting took place, became a prison for 1.500 captured Scottish soldiers and was used as a base by Oliver Cromwell’s troops.
More than 1,000 Scottish fighters were killed in the battle which raged on land close to the church and Winwick village. Soldiers fought hand to hand in flooded streams and fields with muskets and pikes against Cromwell’s better equipped and better trained new model army.
A Scottish soldier at St Oswald’s
The Scottish army was raised by the Duke of Hamilton, a supporter of King Charles. Thousands of invading troops, many of whom were farmers and labourers, some accompanied by their families, marched from Scotland to Preston where they were defeated in battle by Cromwell’s forces. The remainder of the Scottish army, still in significant numbers with 7,000 infantry and 4.000 mounted cavalry, then continued south along the route of the future A 49 road in the hope of joining some of King Charles’ forces based in North Wales. The Scottish mounted troops made their way to cross the river in Warrington with the foot soldiers left behind to hold Cromwell back. It was not to be, as when Cromwell’s new model army intercepted the foot soldiers at the Battle of Winwick they were again defeated in a terrible fight. Soldiers who survived the conflict and managed to reach Warrington were also taken prisoner.
Phil LePinnet, a member of the Battle of Winwick Society, said: “This battle was of huge national significance in bringing the Civil War to an end and sealed the fate of the king. By presenting the re-enactment we want to create an understanding of its importance and showcase what life was like for the soldiers who were held prisoner in the church. We aim to give an insight into the rank and file of the common soldier and the civilians involved in the civil wars.”
John Watkin, churchwarden at St. Oswald’s, said:” Our church is iconic. Dating back to Saxon times, it has played a huge part in village life and in the history of our country The interior of the church was badly damaged by Cromwell’s troops and was eventually restored to its former glory over the years. We are hoping to welcome many visitors during the heritage weekend. The Battle of Winwick Society’s re-enactment will provide a fascinating window to step back through time and demonstrate the everyday life of the common soldier. It will bring life to yet another chapter in the history of Winwick Church.”
St Oswald’s Church, Heritage weekend. ENTRY FREE.
Opening hours
Saturday September 7 : 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
12 noon : introductory talk in church by members of the Battle of Winwick Society
Sunday 8 September : 12 noon to 3 p.m.
