historians/enactors Bolton area UK

Subject: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: alex s
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 11:53 AM

I have received this request from an American who will be visiting Burnley Folk Club over the easter weekend. Can anyone help with this? :

My ancestor, Sampson Mason, left Bolton after the Battle of Bolton in 1644. I am coming to capture some video of places and things which may have been familiar to him. Do you know anyone interested in your Civil War, a re-enactor perhaps? I would like to learn more about the era. Michael W.

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 01:03 PM

Ye Olde Man and Scythe is an obvious place to visit.

Can't help you with the rest, I'm afraid.

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 07:11 PM

Somebody at the Sealed Knot may be able to help:-

http://www.thesealedknot.org.uk/node

A British-born American professor's doubts about the "cleaned-up" version of history presented by re-enactors:-

A gentlemanly war?

Doesn't look like the Bolton Massacre was either a clean or gentlemanly affair:-

Storming of Bolton

Ross

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: alex s
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 08:22 AM

Thanks for this, Sminky and Ross

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 08:58 AM

There is Lord Derby's chair in one of the pubs [I forget which one] He , so they say, sat on it as he had his last meal before they took him out & beheaded him.
I was once involved in a play 'Vive le Roi' about the Civil War in Lancashire with songs by Stawhead, who wrote a strangly moving song about the so called Bolton Massacre.   Ron

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 11:42 AM

That would be the Old Man and Scythe on Churchgate, opposite Booths Music... very near Prestons jewellers and Bolton Parish Church.

The memorial cross is outside, too.

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: alex s
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 12:27 PM

see Sminky's link above

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 11 Feb 11 - 05:00 AM

The other old buildings nearby are Smithills Hall and Hall i'th Wood.

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: GUEST,Dave Casserly
Date: 02 Sep 11 - 08:47 PM

If you want to know about Sampson Mason, and the Bolton Massacre I cover them in detail in my book "Massacre, the Storming of Bolton" published by Amberley Publishing.

You will find the truth is somewhat different to the legend.

Dave

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: Jack's Rake
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 05:40 AM

There's a pageant each year, I think, during which people dress in Civil War period costumes. I've been in the Man and Scythe when everybody but myself and my friend was dressed as such; it was a mildly psychedelic experience, I tell ya. This would, obviously be a great photo opportunity if somebody wished to do the job and send the results to the gent mentioned in the OP.

I believe it happens some time around the end of September or early October but couldn't be sure. I'm rarely sure of anything related to my visits to the Man and Scythe - it's the cider, you see. Does that period coincide with the date of the massacre, maybe?

If anyone's keen to know, I could get in touch with my parents to see if they know when it is; they still live in Bolton.

Subject: RE: historians/enactors Bolton area UK
From: Sue Wilcock
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 12:06 PM

it's usually in october around 15th the pub is well worth a visit. The landlord sometimes does guided tours too.