Celebrating Evesham? Sounds like an excellent idea; but then, as a local born-and-bred, I’m biased. Objectively, though, there are many aspects of this historic town which are worthy of celebration, both old and new, ancient and modern.

Over the centuries there have been many public celebrations. In the 1990s we had royal visits (to open libraries and whatnot). The 1920s and 1930s saw the town host huge galas and parades to raise funds for the local cottage hospital. In 1887 there were extraordinary and extensive celebrations of the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. The arrival of the railways (1852) was celebrated with a public feast. There was likewise, in 1832, an impressive feast to celebrate the passing by Parliament of the Great Reform Act (electoral reform). All most interesting, but older stories are often more interesting (and more complex).

Marching bands, a colourful motorcade and floats for the Hospital Gala, 1931. (Courtesy of VEHS) (Celebrating Evesham, Amberley Publishing)

The most ancient local celebrities are, perhaps inevitably, saints. Indeed, at one point, Evesham Abbey decided it would be an excellent idea to import a saint; a certain St Wulfsige (d.1097). This holy man was (apparently) led blindfolded from Croyland to erect a new chapel (at the abbey) and to establish his own cell. He served as spiritual adviser to lords and ladies (including, notably, Lady Godiva) and was visited by many. On his death, many miracles were reported.

There is a profound contrast between this unworldly sanctity of St Wulfsige and the extraordinary political power of his contemporary Abbot Aethelwig (1058-77). This impressive and celebrated abbot was favoured by both the last crowned English king (Harold) and the first Norman king (William). Indeed, not only did he survive those tumultuous times, but he also prospered. An extraordinary feat.

Evesham is arguably most famous as the site of the eponymous Battle of Evesham (1265). This was the climax of the horrific civil strife of the Second Barons’ War (1264-7). On the one side was the rebellious warlord Simon de Montfort (Earl of Leicester) who is now sometimes called “the grandfather of parliament”. On the other side was a royal army led by the Lord Edward (later King Edward I “Hammer of the Scots”). Most remarkably, in the eyes of many, Simon de Montfort was considered “the embodiment of Christian ideals”. Positive parallels were drawn (typically by monkish chroniclers) between the rebellious Earl and the Biblical figures of Joshua, Simon Maccabeus, and even Christ.

Evesham
Heavy crowds and lots of stalls in the parish churchyard (between two churches) for the Medieval Market, 21 May 2022. (Celebrating Evesham, Amberley Publishing)

The battle was decisively, and brutally, won by the Lord Edward. The fractious (revolutionary?) Simon de Montfort was cut down and his corpse dismembered. It’s an extraordinary event; and just as remarkable are the stories of miraculous healing that followed. There soon arose a cult centred on the “martyred” Earl. Hundreds of stories were (contemporaneously?) reported and recorded; often with details of the person afflicted, the illness, actions taken, cure(s) effected, and witnesses. Clearly, however, it didn’t serve royal interests to have a violent rebel proclaimed as saintly (think of all the previous trouble with (Saint) Thomas Becket (1120-70)). Unsurprisingly, after a few years, the whole affair was ruthlessly and extensively suppressed (though not enough to suppress this particularly fascinating sliver of history).

The history of Evesham is tightly entwined with associated stories of saints, abbots, battles, innovations, celebrations. Clearly Evesham does indeed have much to celebrate.

Celebrating Evesham by Stan Brotherton is available for purchase now.