Events

'Lechland Fight' 1645 - a trisoc event

Saturday 25th July 2026

In November 1645, Colonel Nicholas Devereux, parliamentarian Governor of Malmesbury, sent a party of foot and horse to Lechlade-on-Thames in order to secure the town and block royalist forces from crossing its bridge and raiding into Wiltshire or going west to Cirencester. They had not been there long when royal cavalry from Faringdon attacked them, hoping to disrupt any attempt to fortify the place. The story of this fight is part of the town's history and also part of its legend.

Dr. Christopher L Scott will guide the site of conflict fought in this Cotswold town, describing the action as told to him by a local historian many years ago but including a critical comparison between the local legend and the contemporary account as given in a letter to Speaker Lenthall from Devereux. It will also cover discussions of source evidence, bias and Inherent Military Probability.

There are 30 places on the tour, with 10 being offered to each of three groups: The Battlefield Trust, The British Commission for Military History and The International Guild of Battlefield Guides - societies of which Chris' doctorate supervisor Prof. Richard Holmes was once patron. As well as an enjoyable military history tale, the day will give participants a taste of what the Guild of Battlefield Guides does, as well as provide opportunities to socialise and share experience.

Over a pub lunch, with a 1640s Quiz, participants will be invited to study the contemporary account and identify instances of unwitting and deliberate 'bias'. See if you can detect bias in the tour too!

The purpose of the day is to examine the role of fact and fiction in the creation of 'history', through the medium of a battlefield tour. Hopefully it will encourage participants to read accounts critically and be aware of 'imaginative cordite' and interpretive bias.

Meet at 10.45am at the Memorial Hall Car Park off Oak St., Lechlade, GL7 3AY or 11.00 am the Town Square (which is really a Triangle!). the walk will last about two hours, covering a mile and a half across flat, tarmac/paved surfaces

A charge of £10 per head will be made to all participants with profits going to the Guild of Battlefield Guides. Details of how to pay will be sent to those who secure a place.

Lunch (optional) will be taken at 'The Swan' on Oak Street at participants' own costs – pay for what is pre-ordered from a menu circulated to participants near the date. The pub has been operating since 1513. Food costs are: starters £6-9, mains £9-16 [additional sides £3-4] and desserts £5-7. A pre-order will be necessary so a menu will be circulated.

Parking is vailable in the Town Square, on Oak St. (both 2hrs limit) and in various side streets; plus an 87 spaces car park at the Memorial Hall.

After lunch, with an optional trip to Highworth for a brief look at the 'Siege'.

BOOKING: The first 10 people from each society to email Chris using the details below will secure a place, but there will be a reserve/waiting list, in the order enquiries arrive, which will also be used to judge whether to offer a second event later in the year.

Please state to which society you belong.