THE sights and sounds of the Civil War siege of Basing House came to life over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Sealed Knot, the UK’s oldest re-enactment society, were in action at Basing House on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Once the largest private house in Tudor England, Basing House, which is run by Hampshire Cultural Trust, was a loyalist stronghold during the English Civil War and came under attack over a number of years by Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians, before finally being stormed and destroyed in October 1645.
On all three days, there was a living history encampment showing what life was like during the Civil War for everyday people, with displays including cookery, wood turning, spinning and more by artisans and craftspeople.
While on Sunday and Monday, the rival armies assembled in full costume and armour and march to the Tudor Great Barn where a skirmish with musket fire started the battle action.
The two armies then paraded through Old Basing, to undertake re-enactments of the first assault on the house and the main battle itself.
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