WALDEN 1647: Celebrating the Birth of English Democracy

The tides of history have often swept through the Essex market town of Saffron Walden, but never so significantly as in a few weeks in May 1647. In the great parish church of St Mary’s a series of debates took place in which the soldiers of Cromwell’s New Model Army argued with their officers and with Parliament about their rights as free men. It is not too much to say that these debates marked the birth of English democracy. Now, in May 2007, to mark the 360th anniversary of these momentous debates, the Saffron Walden Initiative plans to stage a re-enactment in St Mary’s Church and to increase understanding of this historical event as follows:

Monday 14 May 2007

Showing at Saffron Screen of the Ken Loach film Land & Freedom followed by a talk by writer and educator, Alan McLean, linking the film to the themes of WALDEN 1647

Tuesday 15 May 2007

17th Century Poetry reading in a local pub - organised by the historian Martyn Everett

Wednesday 16 May 2007

‘Saffron Walden: Cradle of the English Revolution 1647-8’ - Day School for the general public in the Town Hall. The speakers are currently: Martyn Everett on the Agitators, John Sutton & Sue Sadler on the Battle of Linton, Andrew Lacey on King Charles I and John Walter on Parson Drake, the Vicar of Radwinter 

Thursday 17 May 2007

‘Behold Your King’ - a costumed presentation by June & John Sutton on the seizure of King Charles I by the soldiers of the New Model Army in 1647 Friday 18 May 2007. The Sealed Knot soldiers and followers arrive and set camp in the town

First performance of 'Freeborn Englishmen' - a specially commissioned play by Alan McLean featuring a re-enactment of the 1647 debates in St Mary's Church - produced by Gordon Cummings

Saturday 19 May 2007

Parade & street theatre with stocks in the town centre re-enacted by The Sealed Knot
17th Century Puppet Show in King Street 17th Century ‘Living History’ stalls in the Museum Grounds. Demonstration of Arms on The Common with ‘live’ firing by The Sealed Knot. 17th Century Dance demonstrations and participation by Danse Royale. Second performance of 'Freeborn Englishmen' in St Mary's Church

Sunday 20 May 2007
17th Century ‘Living History’ stalls in the Museum Grounds
17th Century Puppet Show in the Museum Grounds
Drill on the Common by The Sealed Knot
Skirmish on the Common - re-enactment by The Sealed Knot