SEALED KNOT ENGLISH CIVIL WAR EVENT REPORT – THE
MANCHESTER ST. GEORGE’S DAY PARADE SUNDAY APRIL 19th 2009
I love having Sealed Knot events close to home, and this was about as close as they can get – a ten-minute bus ride away.
It was not battle, but a gentle, happy parade, raising money for the Royal British Legion. We would be marching from North Manchester, to the city centre, and back, about four miles of walking at best, setting off from Varley Street, down Oldham Road, and Oldham Street, to Piccadilly, and back to Varley Street, via Newton Street. Great Ancoats Street, Oldham Road, Butler Street & Bradford Road.
I arrived at Varley Street about 10 AM, but quite a few people were already there, including several Knotters. It was clear that the Sun was out force for one of the hottest days of the year so far. We avoided getting into full kit as long as possible, as woollen doublets and trews are not light summery wear.
The Knot turned out in force, with Royalists and Parliamentarians represented, from the Skippons, (my own regiment of choice), Hoptons, Western Association, Manchesters, & Godolphins regiments, among others. We had pikemen, musketeers, living history, and artillery represented. A real delight was having a cannon to draw along in the parade too, much to the delight of the public.
Other groups and individuals represented included The Fire Brigade, Queen Victoria, Henry 8th, The Belle Vue Brass Band, a Scottish pipe band, a troupe of belly dancers, with many people of all ages dressed as St. George.
The public lined the route on both sides of the road throughout, with flags and bunting, and much cheering and clapping as we passed by. It was a gloriously happy day out for all. The highlight was the incredible cheer as we passed close to the Mayor’s podium in Piccadilly, and the Knot offered a general suit to our city’s leading dignitaries, to thunderous applause.
With the intense heat, and marching on quite a steep, if gradual gradient, in studded boots not designed for concrete, we had a tough procession, and our water carriers were as busy as on the battle fields, and worked hard to keep us from melting.
March completed, we went to a local bar for drinks and refreshments for the remaining afternoon and early evening. I’m sure everyone involved shares my gratitude to Mark Scoular, who organised the Knot’s role in the march, all fellow marchers, the organisers, the police, and the public for helping everything to go so perfectly.
LINKS
Photos from the 2009 Manchester St. George's Day Parade
A previous Parade report – St. George’s Day Manchester 2007
Manchester Evening News feature and pictures - http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1109280_sunshine_for_st_george
The Parade website http://www.jackstgeorge.bravehost.com/2009.html
Arthur Chappell
LINK TO THIS PAGE - http://arthurchappell.me.uk/manchester.st.georges.day.parade.2009.htm
My other Sealed Knot Battle & Parade reports http://arthurchappell.me.uk/english.civil.war.reenactment.battle.reports.htm
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