The English Civil War returns to London

Members of the English Civil War Society march on Millennium Bridge

The group transformed into authentic Parliamentarian (Roundhead) soldiers to remember one of the most turbulent periods of British history

Re-enactment celebrates the launch of the new TV series, Weekend Warriors on Yesterday from Wednesday 7th January at 9pm

Several members of the English Civil War Society (ECWS), transformed into Parliamentarians, also known as Roundheads to march across Millennium Bridge.

They were celebrating the launch of the new TV series Weekend Warriors, starting on Yesterday from Wednesday 7th January at 9pm. The programme celebrates the little-known world of the battle re-enactors and the people who are dedicated to accurately portraying the worlds most famous conflicts in the fields and villages around the UK.

The English Civil War Society, one of the oldest re-enactment groups in the world, are committed to bringing to life the most important battles in the conflict between King Charles I of England and his supporters, and their opponents in Parliament and Scotland.

Members of the ECWS congregated outside Shakespeares Globe, London. They were representing the first British Redcoats, which myth states wore red so they could scare the enemy as they would not see the blood on their uniforms. They also carried modern day reproductions of 17th Century match-lock muskets.

They are stars of the first episode of Weekend Warriors, in which they prepare to recreate the bloody Siege of Marlborough. In the battle from November 1642 the Member of Parliament Sir Neville Poole led the campaign to defend the town and confront 4,000 of the Kings cavalry led by Lord Digby, who was determined to secure this important trading town for Charles I. At the recreation last year there were over 300 soldiers on the battle-field, a dozen cavalry, and some of the worlds biggest firing cannons

Adrian Wills, General Manager of UKTV channel Yesterday says,

Battle re-enactors are the ultimate living historians and these members of the English Civil War Society are committed to continually striving for historical authenticity in their clothing and artefacts. It is particularly relevant that St Pauls Cathedral is in the background as they march across Millennium Bridge. The original building was mistreated by the Parliamentarian forces, who used the nave as a stable for cavalry horses.

Annabelle Southcoat from the English Civil War Society, says, The English Civil War Society has been active for over 30 years, seeking to recreate a violent period in British history, when the country was torn apart by a civil war in which brother fought against brother. All theclothing and weapons we are carrying with us today are modern day reproductions which we believe to be historically accurate from examining surviving pieces, records, and paintings. They are made either by our members themselves or by specialist traders.

Weekend Warriors on Yesterday from Wednesday 7th January at 9pm

For information and images please contact Emily.jones@uktv.co.uk

Notes to Editors About Yesterday www.yesterdaytv.co.uk / @yesterdaytweets / facebook.com/yesterdaytvchannel

Yesterday provides entertainment inspired by history.

Showcasing new series such as Raiders of the Lost Past, Mafias Greatest Hits, Medieval Dead and Instruments of Death - Yesterday seeks to redefine what history is.

Where to find Yesterday: Sky channel 537, Virgin TV channel 203 and Freeview channel 19.

About UKTV UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches over 42 million viewers every month.

UKTVs eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, Watch, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food - include the most popular non-PSB channel in the UK and account for 9% of the British commercial TV market. The companys most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £278m, and EBITDA of £67.4m. It invested a record £125m in programming and related launches last year, and is becoming an increasingly significant investor in UK creativity.

UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC, alongside programmes originally shown on ITV and Channel 4. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.

Now celebrating its 21st year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) - is proud to be the only British television broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.

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