St John the Evangelist, Leeds — 24-25 October – The Earl of Manchester's Regiment of Foote

Where: St John the Evangelist, New Briggate, Leeds LS2 8JD

When: 10am – 4pm, 24-25 October 2026

The English Civil War is to return to Leeds — thanks to a special FREE event at a city church where Roundhead and Cavalier once clashed!

Supported by Leeds 400, Leeds City Council and the Churches Conservation Trust, on 24-25 October the grounds of St John the Evangelist on New Briggate will once again ring with the boom of muskets and the clash of swords.

Members of the Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote, part of the Sealed Knot reenactment society, will bring the sights and sounds of the 17^th Century to life with costumed reenactors with demonstrations of traditional crafts, talks about the history of the Civil Wars, and displays of musket, pike and sword.

From 10am until 4pm, St John’s and its former graveyard will be transported back in time to celebrate four centuries since Leeds received its first Royal Charter from King Charles I, marking the beginning of its journey towards self-governance and city status. Demonstrations of the use of pike and sword, as well as musket fire, will take place at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm.

Thanks to volunteers from the Churches Conservation Trust, the church will be open so that visitors can marvel at the stunning 17^th Century interiors that have miraculously survived. There will also be a talk each day at 12.15pm about the history of the Battle of Leeds and how its story fits into the history of the English Civil Wars.

You can also join Leeds Civic Trust and local historian Clifford Stead on a guided walk to explore 400 years in the life of Leeds, from the city’s earliest merchants and markets, to its newest green development, Aire Park. Starting and finishing at Merrion Gardens, more information can be found here.

Leeds 400 is a year-long celebration inviting residents, communities and visitors to come together to celebrate the city’s rich heritage and vibrant future. Leeds City Council and partners are celebrating the city’s rich history as individuals, organisations and communities have come together to celebrate what makes Leeds a fantastic city for sport, heritage, culture, learning, communities, innovation and the future.

Now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, St John’s is the oldest church in Leeds city centre. Completed just a few years before England erupted into civil war, in January 1643 it witnessed the Battle of Leeds as the walls of the churchyard became part of the Royalist defences against an assault by Parliamentarian troops.

About Leeds 400

This year marks a remarkable milestone as we celebrate 400 years of the city of Leeds 🦉 Leeds received its first Royal Charter in 1626, marking the beginning of the journey towards city status. Now, 400 years on, Leeds City Council and partners are celebrating the rich history of Leeds and looking towards a vibrant future. Individuals, organisations and communities will be coming together for a year-long celebration of what makes Leeds a fantastic city for sport, heritage, culture, learning, communities, innovation and the future.

www.leeds.gov.uk/campaign/leeds-400

About The Churches Conservation Trust

The Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk. We have saved over 350 beautiful buildings which attract over 1.8 m visitors a year. Our unique collection of English churches includes irreplaceable examples of architecture, archaeology and art from 1,000 years of history. With our help and with your support they are kept open and in use – living once again at the heart of their communities.

Without our care and your support, the buildings we look after might have disappeared completely. Instead they are enjoyed as cultural, social, tourism and educational resources, kept open, in use and living once again in the heart of communities. Our churches remain consecrated and can be used for occasional worship.

www.visitchurches.org.uk

About The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote

The Earl of Manchester’s Regiment of Foote is part of The Sealed Knot, the oldest re-enactment society in the UK, a registered educational charity, and the single biggest re-enactment society in Europe. The Sealed Knot brings history to life by staging events throughout the country all year round, offering a chance to experience at first hand the horrors of a nation at war with itself, as well as providing a glimpse of everyday life in the 17th Century.