Publications

Local historian Michael Hunt has written a series of monographs on aspects of Evesham's history ranging in time from the retreat of the Romans to the reign of Queen Victoria. Written with Mike's characteristic understated humour and ascerbic wit each part of this eight book set scrutinises received wisdom, challenges myth and legend and delivers a well argued verdict that places Evesham's history firmly in its historical context. In addition one volume deals with the charters that made Evesham a self-governing community in its own right and their, rather surprising, Scottish connections; another provides a comprehensive survey of Evesham's parliamentary representatives through rebellion and reform. All eight parts will also be published as a single omnibus edition. These are the expected publication dates ...

“Swiche was the morthere of Eivesham; vor bataile non it was” – Robert of Gloucester

Most battles were typical of their time and a few were pivotal with major social or political consequences. Evesham was such a battle. If the outcome of the battle had been different, if Earl Simon had broken through and joined up with his son before turning at bay or if the younger Simon had pressed on down the Evesham road and arrived in time to attack Edward’s army from the rear as his father engaged it from the front, then we may be living in a very different country today. But for an accident of timing 750 years ago on Greenhill the United Kingdom might not exist today.

'1265', written by the V.E.H.S.'s medievalist, David Snowden, is an analysis of that battle, drawing heavily upon original sources and recent discoveries to argue that the death of Simon de Montfort was not just an act of war but an instance of private vengeance and Machiavellian raison d'etat.