One of the many good things about organising a book festival is finding out amazing stuff about the place you have been living for 10 years - and meeting some amazing people as well.
Garth Collard is one such person. We really wanted to involve him this time around because he has been enthusing students at the Village College all his professional life - and has recently been recognised with the award of an MBE for his services to local history.
Garth has kindly agreed to lead a Children's History walk recreating the Battle of Linton that took place in 1648 - during the latter phase of the English Civil War. It will kick off our Festival on Saturday 3 May - starting at 2pm in The Grip.
You may be forgiven for thinking (as we did...) that this battle was an insignificant footnote in the wider ebb and flow of the war. But you would be wrong.
At the time, King Charles 1 was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight but still fomenting unrest against Parliament and the country's new leaders. There was widespread and genuine hatred of the harsh puritanical laws that the new regime had brought in. Rebellions broke out in Wales, Scotland, Kent and Essex. The New Model Army was split, with Cromwell heading north and Fairfax staying in the south - and fighting raged during the summer of 1648.
Following the Battle of Maidstone, the charismatic Royalist commander Sir Charles Lucas fell back to Colchester and was beseiged by Fairfax. But in Cambridgeshire a force of rebels prepared to march south and relieve the siege. Fairfax despatched Colonel John Sparrow with a company of 600 men to deal with this threat.
As Sparrow approached from Saffron Walden, he fought brief skirmishes with the retreating rebels in Ashdon and Haws Hill (behind Hadstock).
Early in the morning of June 16th, Sparrow advanced down Long Lane where he met and dealt with further resistance. He then turned his main force into Linton High Street and fought his way down the narrow streets and alleys into the Churchyard - where the rebels surrendered after a brief struggle.
The rest - as they say - is history. The Linton rebellion was the last hope for the Colchester garrison who surrendered barely a month later. The Scottish and Welsh risings were crushed in August 1648 and the New Model Army effectively established a military dictatorship. King Charles 1 was executed on 30 January 1649.
Quite apart from the pivotal role that the battle played in the course of the Civil War and sealing Charles' fate, the thought of the hand-to-hand fighting that must have raged down Linton's quiet lanes is quite astounding. It must have been terrifying for the civilian population - let alone the combatants. A chilling echo of today's urban conflicts that play out on our TV news bulletins.
We hope to bring this event alive for a new generation of Lintonians on 3 May. We look forward to seeing you then!
Garth Collard is one such person. We really wanted to involve him this time around because he has been enthusing students at the Village College all his professional life - and has recently been recognised with the award of an MBE for his services to local history.
Garth has kindly agreed to lead a Children's History walk recreating the Battle of Linton that took place in 1648 - during the latter phase of the English Civil War. It will kick off our Festival on Saturday 3 May - starting at 2pm in The Grip.
You may be forgiven for thinking (as we did...) that this battle was an insignificant footnote in the wider ebb and flow of the war. But you would be wrong.
At the time, King Charles 1 was imprisoned on the Isle of Wight but still fomenting unrest against Parliament and the country's new leaders. There was widespread and genuine hatred of the harsh puritanical laws that the new regime had brought in. Rebellions broke out in Wales, Scotland, Kent and Essex. The New Model Army was split, with Cromwell heading north and Fairfax staying in the south - and fighting raged during the summer of 1648.
Following the Battle of Maidstone, the charismatic Royalist commander Sir Charles Lucas fell back to Colchester and was beseiged by Fairfax. But in Cambridgeshire a force of rebels prepared to march south and relieve the siege. Fairfax despatched Colonel John Sparrow with a company of 600 men to deal with this threat.
As Sparrow approached from Saffron Walden, he fought brief skirmishes with the retreating rebels in Ashdon and Haws Hill (behind Hadstock).
Early in the morning of June 16th, Sparrow advanced down Long Lane where he met and dealt with further resistance. He then turned his main force into Linton High Street and fought his way down the narrow streets and alleys into the Churchyard - where the rebels surrendered after a brief struggle.
The rest - as they say - is history. The Linton rebellion was the last hope for the Colchester garrison who surrendered barely a month later. The Scottish and Welsh risings were crushed in August 1648 and the New Model Army effectively established a military dictatorship. King Charles 1 was executed on 30 January 1649.
Quite apart from the pivotal role that the battle played in the course of the Civil War and sealing Charles' fate, the thought of the hand-to-hand fighting that must have raged down Linton's quiet lanes is quite astounding. It must have been terrifying for the civilian population - let alone the combatants. A chilling echo of today's urban conflicts that play out on our TV news bulletins.
We hope to bring this event alive for a new generation of Lintonians on 3 May. We look forward to seeing you then!
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