Next year marks the 1200th anniversary of the Battle of Ellendun in AD 825, one of the most decisive battles in English history and one that is believed to have taken place on the outskirts of Swindon with both Wroughton and Lydiard Park identified as probable battle sites for this epic clash.
Looking ahead, The Friends of Lydiard Park have teamed up with Swindon and District War Games Club and Big Battles Ltd to promote a project aimed at raising awareness of this historic Anglo-Saxon event.
A depiction of King Egbert of Wessex from the Genealogical Chronicle of the English Kings, a late 13th-century manuscript in the British Library. It was at Ellendun that Egbert defeated Beornwulf of Mercia, an event that ultimately led to the creation of England.
West Swindon Parish Council have generously awarded The Friends of Lydiard Park £2,000 to work alongside partners to deliver the project. Their support will provide opportunities for local residents and students in West Swindon to engage in the project through volunteering, hands-on activities and access for schools to an interactive exhibition in Autumn 2025.
One of the challenges of the project is creating around 1000 soldiers and cavalry for a large model lay-out with each small figure needing to be meticulously painted.
Graham Philpot of Swindon and District War Games Club said:
“This initiative is something all our members are keen to get behind and we are looking forward to working with West Swindon residents next Spring to provide volunteer workshops for people of all ages to try their hand at model painting and contribute to the landscaped lay-out. Hopefully we will have 1,000 models ready for action by September next year!”
Friends of Lydiard Park Chair, Sarah Finch-Crisp added:
“ This project aims to draw on the skills, interests and enthusiasm of artists, teachers, model makers, historians and anyone curious to discover more about the Dark Ages. We are immensely grateful to West Swindon Parish Council for supporting this initiative and ensuring we can involve our local community”.
Part of a display of Anglo Saxon objects in Museum & Art Swindon
For those wanting to brush up on their Anglo-Saxon history in advance, there is a fascinating display of local artefacts in the new (free) Museum and Art Swindon, located in The Civic Offices SN1 2JH.