Villagers to battle with Parliament

The Parliamentarians are set to invade Sutton St James, all for the parish church.

On the May Bank Holiday of 4, 5 and 6 May, members of the Sealed Knot re-enactment group will be occupying the village to re-create the role its men played in the English Civil War.

In 1643, a number from Sutton St James stood standing alongside the men of Crowland in resisting the forces of Parliament in support of King Charles 1.

In May, members of the “Cittie of London Brigade” of the “Sealed Knot” will camp in the village re-creating the living history of the time. There will be demonstrations of drumming, pike drill, and some musket fire with the public, especially children, being encouraged to take part.

On Saturday evening there will be a “rock with a re-enactor” dance at the village hall with local band Crowbone.

The Sealed Knot bar, The Stagger Inn, will be serving real ales.

On Sunday at the Church of St James the Greater a Service will be held at 11am where members of the Sealed Knot will join the congregation in full dress, after which the festivities will recommence.

On Monday the re-enactment will reach its finale when the brave men of Sutton St James march off to Crowland to support their Royalist
brethren.

Admission to all the events is by a one-off payment of £5 for a wristband (available from the church). Entry is free for under 16s.

All proceeds from the weekend will go to support the village’s Parish Church.

A spokesman for Sutton St James Parish Church, said: “The members of the Cittie of London Brigade of the Sealed Knot will be telling the story of the people of Sutton St James in 1643 and their  defiant stand against the  forces of Oliver Cromwell.”