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Let's do battle at Hylton Castle
The clash of steel and smell of gunpowder could return to Hylton Castle as organisers bid to bring Sunderland's civil war history back to life.
The 14th Century gatehouse is set to become a backdrop to the re-enactment of the Battle of Hylton, said to be an important clash in the English civil war.
Denny Wilson, a member of the group hoping to see the castle converted into visitor attraction, said it would help put the historic site on the map, as well as reminding Wearsiders that they live in an area rich in history.
"The battle seems to be something that has been forgotten from Sunderland's memory and I think this would help to remind us," he said.
"It would pull in visitors from around the region and help put Sunderland on the heritage map."
Denny, who is a councillor for the Castle ward as well as being a member of the Friends of Hylton Dene, said the battle re-enactment would also give a boost to plans to make the site into a visitor centre.
Maureen Meikle, a senior lecturer in history at Sunderland University, has volunteered to be a historical advisor to the project.
The academic, who co-wrote the history book Sunderland and its Origins: Monks to Mariners, said Wearside played a crucial role in the civil war.
Sunderland was a Parliamentarian town and an important supply port for Cromwell's army and the Scottish forces. Newcastle and the Tyne were held by the Royalists.
Ms Meikle said the Tyne was blockaded by Parliamentarian ships, so Sunderland prospered from the boost in trade as coal and other products had to be shipped out of the Wear.
She said if the Battle of Hylton, also known as the Battle of Boldon Hill, in March 1644, had seen the Royalists take control of Sunderland, it would have denied the Scottish army access to supplies and meant they could not take part in the pivotal Battle of Marston Moor a few months later.
"The Battle of Marston Moor is seen as the major turning point in the civil war, but it is said it could not have been won without the Covananters – and they relied on Sunderland," she said.
The battle re-enactment at Hylton Castle will be put together by specialist group The Sealed Knot.
The plans are now with Sunderland City Council's culture department, which will decide on how much funding is given to the project.
"This English Civil War encounter is a very important piece of our History," said Denny.
It didn't just concern a battle around Hylton Castle, but was an important battle for control of the Port of Sunderland as a vital source of supplies.
"I think a re-enactment of the battle would bring our history alive and be an education for everyone in the city and region."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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