A snapshot of one of the most volatile and unsettling periods of English history will be played out in Sherwood Forest.

The English Civil War pitted supporters of Oliver Cromwell and Parliament against the Royalist defenders of King Charles I in the mid-1600s.

Nottinghamshire was the scene of a number of key events in the conflict, and on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July, the Parliamentary John Bright’s Regiment of Foote will be in Edwinstowe, not far from Welbeck Abbey, which was a local Royalist stronghold in August 1644.

At that time, the battle of Marston Moor had been won for Parliament, and the Parliamentarian Earl of Manchester was moving south, taking Royalist garrisons along the way.

His forces would gain the surrender of Staveley and Bolsover in the coming days, but before then the earl, basing himself in Worksop, sent his troops to find quarters surrounding Welbeck, the Nottinghamshire seat of the Royalist Earl of Newcastle, before summoning its surrender.

In this 2025 version, a company of Bright’s regiment of Roundheads will find shelter and provisions in Edwinstowe. But, will Welbeck surrender?

PHOTOS: Courtesy Paul Gregory/John Bright’s Regiment of Foote

Re-enactors from the regiment will evoke the era through costumes and weaponry, carrying out military drills and manoeuvres.

Rob James, RSPB Communications Officer for Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest, said: “There will be chance for visitors, and children in particular, to get a hands-on history lesson.

“It promises to be a fascinating couple of days at Sherwood.”

Admission to the event at RSPB Sherwood Forest in Edwinstowe is free (parking charges apply). For more information, go to www.visitsherwood.co.uk