The history of Soulton Hall and the surrounding area is rich and intertwined with significant national events. An upcoming event in nearby Wem, “Wem 1643. A Seventeenth Century Weekend,” taking place on Saturday, 17 May 2025, and Sunday, 18 May 2025, at the Butler Sports Centre, Bowens Field, Wem (SY4 5AP), offers a fascinating glimpse into one such period: the dramatic era of the English Civil War.
This immersive experience promises to bring this pivotal time to life for the whole family.
The Militias of Anglia are bring Civil War enactment to Wem
The role of Wem in the English Civil War, also known as the War of the Three Kingdoms, is often overlooked. In September 1643, the town made a bold declaration for Parliament, becoming the first in Shropshire to align with the Parliamentarian cause. This act of defiance quickly drew the attention of Royalist forces.
A substantial Royalist army, numbering around 5,000 soldiers under Lord Capel, soon advanced on Wem. The Parliamentarian garrison defending the town consisted of a mere 40 soldiers. The subsequent defense of Wem was remarkable; against overwhelming odds, the town successfully repelled the Royalist attack. Local tradition credits this victory, in part, to the courage of the town’s women, immortalized in the saying, “The women of Wem and a few musketeers defeated Lord Capel and all his cavaliers.”
C17th living history comes to Wem
For Soulton Hall, this historical event raises an intriguing connection. Old Sir Rowland Hill, a prominent figure of his time, resided here during the Civil War.
His library as a crucial statesman linked with the Geneva Bible settlement would have been a significant collection, and it is understood that a copy of Magna Carta was among its volumes. The Geneva Bible , favoured by Parliamentarians and carried in a shortened form by all of Cromwell’s troops, included marginal notes containing reformist ideas that fuelled the era’s political and religious tensions.
It is entertained that the engagement at Wem in 1643, in particular the 120 wagons and the short nature of the campaign and the fact Wem was not taken by the Royalists is underlining that this engagement was concerned with the security of these important state papers.
Enactment of the Civil War when it dramatically came to Wem in 1643
The “Wem 1643. A Seventeenth Century Weekend” provides an opportunity to explore this historical period firsthand and consider these very links to our local history. The event schedule includes:
Saturday, 17th May 2025:
- 10:00: Opens to Public
- 11:00: Pike and Musket Drill Display
- 11:40: Children’s Drill
- 13:00: Lunch for Re-enactors
- 14:00: Artillery Display
- 15:00: Seventeenth Century Fashion Show and Talk on the strong women of the ECW, ending with the women of Wem.
- 16:00: Skirmish and demonstration for all Arms
- 16:30: Children’s Drill
- 17:00: Closes to Public
Sunday, 18th May 2025:
- 10:00: Opens to Public
- 12:30: Talk at St Peters and St Paul’s Church by Keith Lawrence from the Cheshire Civil War Centre at Nantwich Museum on the actions of Wem and its correlation with the Cheshire campaign.
- 16:00: Closes to Public
Throughout the weekend, a living history encampment will be open for exploration, alongside children’s games and a traditional fayre.
Admission to this engaging historical experience is £7.50 for adults, £5 for children under 16 and students, £3.50 for senior citizens and those of limited means, and free for children under 5.
A Militias Of Anglia encampment
Organized by The Militias of Anglia, this event promises an educational and engaging weekend for all ages, offering a chance to connect with a pivotal moment in history that may have even touched the grounds of Soulton Hall. Please be aware that loud sounds are anticipated during demonstrations, and those with sensitive hearing may wish to bring ear defenders. For the comfort and safety of everyone, dogs are not permitted in the display areas.
A display of C17th food
We encourage you to visit Wem and explore this fascinating period of history, perhaps imagining the echoes of the Civil War and the potential presence of significant historical documents within our local landscape.
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There is press coverage of this event on Shropshire Live.
