As well as pitting father against son, and brother against brother, the English Civil War also pitted Protestant against Protestant – and this August Bank Holiday two regimental preachers of the Sealed Knot will bring this fascinating aspect of the wars to life…
This August Bank Holiday, The Sealed Knot celebrates its 50th anniversary with a huge battle reenactment at Claydon Estate in Buckinghamshire, which will echo to the sound of musket and cannon fire, the beat of the drums, the charge of cavalry, and the clash of pike.
One of the many activities over the weekend will be two special sermons preached – one on the Sunday at approximately 1pm, the other on the Bank Holiday Monday at the same time – in The Church of All Saint’s, which is filled with tributes to the Verney family, the estate’s owners who were intimately involved in and affected by the Civil War.
Drawing from actual sermons of the time, the regimental chaplains of our regiment and The King’s Guard have been given kind permission to bring the words of two contemporary preachers back to life in this stunning setting – one from the Royalist cause and the other from the Parliamentarian.
As well as delivering their sermons, each preacher will give a brief introduction and context for their performances – disagreements over religion were one of the primary causes of the Civil War, as Puritan peers and MPs fought King Charles and Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud over reforms of the English church. Both preachers will then address the troops before battle!
So let’s meet the preachers ahead of the weekend…
On the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend, Doctor of Divinity Mathew Griffith – chaplain to the King’s Guard – will speak for the Royalist cause:
“I am vicar to Mary Magdalen Church in Old Fish Street in London. I was appointed to my first lectureship by my friend John Donne. The rumours that I spread untrue and immoral suggestions to the King are actually untrue and have been quashed, through the agency of His Majestie!
“My preaching style has been widely praised and some people say I can go a little over the top but I think it’s just that I am passionate about what I do.
“It is my firm belief that there are some phanatics out there who are threatening the publick peace and plenty of our nation.
“I would ask you all to come and hear my new sermon entitled ‘A Patheticall Perswasion to Pray for the Public Peace’ at The Church of All Saint’s in the Parish Church of Middle Claydon upon Sunday the 26th of August.”
And for the Parliamentarian cause, Edmund Calamy the Elder will speak on the Bank Holiday Monday:
“While I am the curate of St Mary Aldermanbury in London, where the Lord blesses me with a significant flock, this past year I have been a member in the Westminster Assembly, which seeks to restructure the church in a Godly and Puritan fashion.
“There is a terrible plague of Civil Warre upon England but as the officers of Parliament’s armies take care of their soldiers’ marshal needs, so my much-printed Souldier’s Pocket Bible ensures their moral safety – filled with selected edifying verses to stiffen the resolve of all who fight for Parliament’s victory.
“There hath been abundance of flattering Preachers – which have been accustomed, I fear, in this place too much heretofore – that have preached “Peace! Peace!” yet have strengthened the hands of wicked men in their sin – it is time for England to repent!
“So for your instruction, I call upon you to come to The Church of All Saint’s in the Parish Church of Middle Claydon upon Monday, the 27th day of August, and hear the Word spoken most directly!”
Don’t miss this at the huge reenactment event on August Bank Holiday (Sunday 26th and Monday 27th), at Claydon Estate in Buckinghamshire. This spectacle, with a battle, living history camp, cameos and displays is set against the back-drop of the estate’s beautiful gardens, courtyard, and All Saints Parish Church, within which is the memorial to Sir Edmund Verney.
The living history camp is open from 11am on Sunday and Monday and the battle starts at around 2pm.
For further information on the Sealed Knot please go to their website >>
Tickets are available on the day or in advance here >>
Please note that Claydon House is owned by the National Trust and there is an entry charge for non-members.