The English Civil War broke out in England in August 1642, when Royalists and Parliamentarians battled for a balance in power between Parliament and King Charles I. However, it was not until December of that year that the people of Chichester felt the full brunt, when Parliamentary forces took control of the city.
Led by soldier and politician William Waller, the Siege of Chichester, which took place between 22nd – 27th December 1642, was one of the key events during the English Civil War to secure the south. It ended in Royalist surrender which spared the city from being sacked, however Waller still permitted his men to desecrate and ransack Chichester Cathedral.
Sacking of Chichester Cathedral
The damage the sacking caused to the Cathedral was significant, with many artefacts lost to history. In particular, Lambert Barnard's 16th century Tudor panels endured major vandalism at the hands of Waller’s men.
In an account of the attack, Bruno Ryves, Dean of Chichester from 1660, described what had happened to Barnard’s paintings as: "defacing and mangling with their hands and swords, as high as they could reach". One even picked out the eyes of King Edward VI's picture. It took until after the monarchy was restored in 1660 for a programme of restoration to be put in place and work to undo the damage to commence.
Bringing history to life
Missing Treasures workshop
This summer, visitors can discover more about the missing treasures of the Cathedral as a result of the Civil War, at a special family art workshop which takes place on Saturday 10th August at 10.00am and 11.00am. Families will be given the opportunity to become history detectives and uncover the secrets of the past through creative activities at the Cathedral. To find out more about this drop-in event click here.
Guided tours
Guided tours are a wonderful way to discover the secrets woven into the fabric of the Cathedral. Brought to life by a team of knowledgeable and talented guides, explore the damage caused by the sacking of the Cathedral first hand along with countless fascinating anecdotes from the Cathedral’s 950-year history.
Tours take place at 11.30am and 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday. They can be booked at the gift shop or pre-booked here.
Discover more at The Novium Museum
If the Civil War workshop sparks interest in Chichester’s history, visitors should head to The Novium Museum to learn about the wider impact the English Civil War had on the city of Chichester. Here you’ll see the original Hubert LeSueur bust of King Charles I, kindly on loan from Chichester City Council. The bust originally stood in a niche of Chichester’s Market Cross and has now been replaced by a fiberglass copy. Visitors to The Novium Museum can also see a cannon ball fired during the siege of Chichester and helmets of the type worn by soldiers during the Civil War period. Find out more about Chichester in the Civil War here.
Image: The Novium Museum, Chichester District Council
Live re-enactments at the Weald & Downland Living Museum
Beyond the city walls, the English Civil War also had a profound effect on rural communities, and this will be highlighted at an event on 17th and 18th August at the Weald & Downland Living Museum in Singleton. The Museum will be joined by renowned living history group, The Wardour Garrison, who specialise in re-creating encampment life during the Civil War. From seeing traditional crafts and cooking to sword fighting school, there is lots for families to enjoy and learn. Find out more about the Weald & Downland Living Museum and this event here.
Image: Weald & Downland Living Museum