HUNDREDS of spectators, including visitors from as far afield as France, Italy and Japan, witnessed the dramatic re-enactment of the siege of Chepstow Castle - one of the final actions of the English Civil War - staged on the first two Saturdays of this month.

The colourful event, organised by vice-chair of the Chepstow Society Keith James and supported by Chepstow Town Council, was hailed a huge success, enjoyed equally by onlookers and participants.

The highlight of the second weekend was the arrival of Oliver Cromwell, played by local actor Gerald Davies, who addressed the townsfolk at White Lion Square before his men, led by Colonel Ewer, attacked the castle with guns blazing, overpowering the besieged Royalists and charging in through the main gates to lower the flag.

Cameo performances gave the unfolding drama a human touch – with a young woman in the crowd at White Lion Square accusing one of Cromwell’s soldiers of fathering her illegitimate child!

Following the capture of the castle the Royalist ‘prisoners’ were taken to St Mary’s Church and kept under guard, but later released after promising not to take up arms again.

More than 120 members of the Sealed Knot Society from 12 different regiments - including those based in West Wales, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and Yorkshire - took part in the event along with numerous local people dressed in period costume.

Activities in the castle grounds included musketry displays, living history demonstrations and period music performed by Chepstow Singing Club.

Keith said the re-enactment, based on David Webb’s book ‘The Siege of Chepstow 1648’, was 100 per cent factual and had taken 12 months to organise.

“The aim was to get the whole town involved and we achieved that, with members of the local amateur dramatic societies, the Chepstow Society and even the local vicar – who marched the ‘prisoners’ up to the church - all assuming different roles in the story,” he said.

He thanked Chepstow Rugby Club for providing free overnight accommodation for members of the Sealed Knot Society.

Sealed Knot re-enactments are notoriously no-holds-barred and there are many battlefield casualties.

Now in his 70s, Keith, a yeoman in John Lilburne’s Regiment, says he still goes onto the battlefield as a first-aider!

His wife Sallie, a fellow member of the Sealed Knot Society, said the event had been extremely successful and everyone involved had had a great time.

Female members of the Sealed Knot Society nowadays are not restricted to playing titled ladies, wenches and camp followers, they can assume any roles they like including musketeers and cannon crew - although competition for the roles of officers, with their thigh boots and plumed hats, remains as fierce as ever!

Photos courtesy of John Davies and Sue Kingdom