We’re getting back to ‘normal’ life after a cracking weekend in the Cheshire market town of Nantwich – and the celebrations after winning the Rosebowl and being crowned ‘Best Regiment’!
Organised by our Royalist friends in the King’s Lifeguard of Foote, this annual event is both the start of the new reenactment season and a highlight of the year. Every January, on the weekend closest to the date of the original battle in 1644, the troops of the Sealed Knot march into the town centre before massing in the town centre. Here, regiments take part in the long-running Rosebowl competition, in which they are judged on their standards of authentic clothing and their displays of 17th Century military drill. The judging continues with the armies marching onto Mill Island to reenact the battle, with cannons, muskets, and drums sounding as the troops clash.
Check out these superb photos by Stuart Bulman:
It was a hard-fought contest this year in the mud of Mill Island, where we were up against last year’s winners, Prince Rupert’s Blewcoats, as well as The King’s Lifeguard, and Sir Arthur Haselrigg’s Regiment of Foote. Everyone commented on how the crowds seemed much larger than in previous years – a huge thank you to everyone who braved the cold to come and watch us battle!
After the end of hostilities and following a minute’s silence to commemorate the dead of all conflicts, the judges’ decision was announced – with Manchester’s taking home the trophy!
One of the joys of the event is getting to pore over the many photos taken by professional and amateur alike, including these from Nantwich Events Photography:
There’s a long-standing Rosebowl tradition that the winning team spend the evening after the battle drinking as wide a variety of alcohol beverages as possible from the trophy. Sometimes, other things find their way into the bowl, such as crisps, sweets, and even a bag of chips!
And this year we found something *new* to put it in – you may have heard of ‘elf on a shelf’, but are you prepared for ‘tot in a pot’?
Thanks to young Felix, one of our youngest members, and thanks to the King’s Lifeguard for a great weekend!