Towton Battlefield Society

West Yorkshire Heritage Forum

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:10:28 +0000

The West Yorkshire Heritage Forum have been kind enough to showcase TowtonBattlefield Society on their website so we thought we would reciprocate and tell you a little bit about them.

Primarily, it is intended to be a meeting place, both physically and on the internet, for all types of groups and individuals who are involved in or concerned about any and all
aspects of the area’s heritage. It is open to amateurs and professionals alike.

They rightly say that heritage is anything which enriches the area in which we live, orextends our understanding of it – from archaeology to zoology and botany, genealogy to geology, museums, stately homes, public parks and gardens.

West Yorkshire is the target area but groups and individuals from anywhere are welcome to participate in the Forum and the website.

Their site – http://wyhf.wordpress.com – is intended for groups and individuals to keep up to date with the Forum and each other, and you are welcome to post comments.

We Need Your Help

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:05:47 +0000

According to the great poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “The life of a man
consists not in seeing visions and dreaming dreams, but in active charity and willing service.” This could almost be the watchword for Towton Battlefield Society.

With this sentiment in mind, we ask you to take a look at a new TBS website, dedicated to raising money for our charity:

https://localgiving.com/tbs

Localgiving have offered to match any contributions you care to make £1 for £1. We
know that times are difficult and there is little money to spare in many households, but even the smallest contribution can make a big difference. TBS are a small charity with big ambitions and our Treasurer Jill Thorley, ensures that we never exceed budget, but there are constant demands on our purse-strings.

Now that we have the opportunity to double any donations made, we need to use this chance to capitalise our fund-raising prospects. We have a 3 month window to achieve this before the scheme expires. Anything you can do in terms of making
a contribution or raising money by other innovative means will be a big help. One of the costliest things that we do, but one of the most dramatic, is provide funding for archaeology projects. Wouldn’t it be good if your contribution helped kick-start one of these?

So, please take time to look at this website and, where possible, give generously.

Walk Towton 1461 – A Visitor Guide to Battle Related Sites

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:06:49 +0000

TBS members Helen Cox and Alan Stringer are pleased to announce the publication of their new book “Walk Towton 1461″.

In this book you can follow Edward, Earl of March’s campaign from it’s beginnings in the Welsh Marches to the bloodbath that was Towton.

For more details please the the flyer below

Walk Towton flyer.pdf

Battle of Wakefield Event – Saturday March 24th 2012

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:56:22 +0000

TBS members Helen Cox, Alan Stringer and Tim Sutherland will be starring at
Wakefield Historical Society’s major event on Saturday 24th March between 11.30
a.m. and 2.30 p.m. and we hope you will be able to go along and lend your
support. Thousands of men died just outside Sandal Castle, at the Battle of
Wakefield, on a bleak December day in 1460, and this initiative hopes to
encourage the public to search for evidence of this important battle. Full
details can be obtained by clicking on the .pdf link below.”

Battle of Wakefield Leaflet pdf

BULLETS BOOTS AND BANDAGES – Episodes 2 and 3

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:01:22 +0000

This is a series on BBC 4, beginning on Thursday 2nd February at 21:00. The first programme features the Siege of Harfleur and both Tim Sutherland and Helen Cox have been involved in the making of the series.

The dates and times of Episodes 2 & 3 of’ Bullets, Boots & Bandages.’
9th February, 9pm, BBC4 – Stealing a March – Episode 2

16^th February, 9pm, BBC4 – Raising Arms – Episode 3.

Episode 1 which transmitted on the 2^nd February 9pm, BBC4 – Staying Alive is now on i-player to view.

Sheriff Hutton ‘s Richard III Weekend, 20 21 October 2012

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:23:28 +0000

They say that some of the best things on life are a well-kept secret and perhaps this
applies to the St. Helen and the Holy Cross church at Sheriff Hutton.

Did you know that there is supposedly an effigy of Richard’s son, Edward Prince of Wales
there? Not to mention medieval furniture and a chantry chapel
dedicated to the powerful Neville family. What’s more, Towton
Battlefield Society have the honour of leading the Ricardian
procession on Sunday afternoon, so please come along and show your
support. If all of that’s not enough to grab your attention, then
please note that Helen Cox will be giving a talk entitled “Family
ties – Richard III and Sheriff Hutton”. Your attendance will
provide vital funds needed to restore the church’s magnificent
Georgian pews.

For more details please see: Sheriff Hutton Richard III weekend pdf

YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE

admin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:16:36 +0000

Was it Robert Genn that said “In life and art it’s better to be an
enthusiastic amateur than a jaded professional”? Well, that should
be encouragement enough for talented TBS members to put pen to paper and enter
the Richard III Foundation’s John Davey Research Grant for
Medieval Studies. This research grant is specifically aimed at local
historians and independent researchers with their funding. There are enough of
you out there who have written books and delivered lectures so we know you have
what it takes to win. So, please do not let this opportunity pass you
by.

There is also another competition aimed at under-graduate, MA and PhD
students. If you know of anyone who is studying the medieval period, please pass
this on. TBS Member David Santiuste is a past winner, so we have a
proud reputation to uphold.

For more details, please click on:Scholarship and GrantFlyer pdf

Palm Sunday 2012 – Updated Visitor Information

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:57:14 +0000

Attached below is the new Visitor Information Sheet for Palm Sunday 2012

Palm Sunday Visitor Information pdf

Towton 2012 pdf

BATTLEFIELD WALKS IN 2012

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 11:53:38 +0000

These are the dates for our programme of regular Battlefield Walks for the first half of 2012 .

All walks begin at the Rockingham Arms in Towton at 10.30am and all are on a Sunday. You do not have to be a member of the TBS to come along, we don’t make a charge but any donation you care to make would be gratefully received.

11th December- Graham Darbyshire

15th January- Mark Taylor

29th January -Graham Darbyshire

12th Febuary -Peter Algar

26th Febuary- Graham Darbyshire

11th March- Guide Peter Algar

8th April- Graham Darbyshire

22nd April- Chris Murphy

13th May- Dave and Lynn Skillen

27th May- Martin Tarpey

10th June – Dave and Lynn Skillen

24th June- Martin Tarpey.

THE FREI COMPAGNIE IN 2012

admin — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:12:10 +0000

Here is an early list of the events at which the Frei Compagnie will be appearing in 2012.

Sat 31st Dec: Sandal Castle show n’ tell, 1.30 – 3pm

1st April: Towton Palm Sunday event

~~Sun May 6th: Friends of Lead Church Open Day, Crooked Billet~~ CANCELLED

Sat 19th May: Sherburn Gala

Sat 16th June: St Oswalds Open Day

Sun 24th June: Monk Fryston & Hillam Village Fayre

Sat 7th July: Kirkby Wharfe Gala

July/Aug (date to be confirmed) Fort Paull

26th – 27th August: Cawood Craft Festival

Sat 1st September: Ledsham Fayre

29th – 30th September: Bolling Hall

This information is also on their page in the main body of the site