Birth of England Project

2027 Schedule of Events

We aim to create and publicise events across the length and breadth of England. Those which are celebrations and all those where the history of the creation of the English Nation and England itself are discussed.

Until the Festival Weekend opens

days
259
hours
20
minutes
43
seconds
46

The programme

  1. Sunday 9th May

    Edington, near Westbury in Wiltshire

    Celebration of Alfred the Great’s victory over the Great Heathen Army in 878AD.

    This victory turned the tide against Danish invaders, their first major defeat in 13 years. The event will include a walk from the memorial stone at Bratton Hillfort into Edington village for refreshments. The view from Bratton is magnificent and scenery on Salisbury Plain is dramatic.

  2. Saturday 12th June

    afternoon

    Tamworth, Staffordshire

    Learn more of Æthelflaed, Lady of the Mercians.

    Meet at Æthelflaed’s Statue in Tamworth and walk to St. Editha’s Church. Your guide will explain Æthelflaed’s role in securing English rule across the kingdom Mercia.

  3. Friday 9th July

    St. Andrew’s Church, Penrith in Cumbria

    Festival Weekend ‘Opener’.

    As a precursor to our commemoration of England’s 1100th Anniversary on 12th July a major historical speaker will explain the significance of the events at Eamotum in 927. How Æthelstan’s meeting marked the Birth of England.

  4. Saturday 10th July

    morning & afternoon

    Morning and afternoon are separate sessions, each with its own ticket

    Brougham Hall near Penrith, Cumbria

    Family Festival to mark England’s Anniversary.

    Brougham Hall is a beautiful man-made amphitheatre, with a grassed centre surrounded by high stone walls. In the arena Regia Anglorum will perform a re-enactment of Æthelstan’s meeting in 927, plus stalls and activities relevant to the period, with live music and refreshments.

  5. Saturday 10th July

    evening

    George Hotel, Penrith

    Dinner with speaker.

    The Ballroom at the George Hotel, an old coaching inn in the centre of Penrith, can hold up to 100 people. There will be a major historical figure to speak after the meal.

  6. Sunday 11th July

    morning & afternoon

    Morning and afternoon are separate sessions, each with its own ticket

    Brougham Hall near Penrith, Cumbria

    Family Festival to mark England’s Anniversary.

    Brougham Hall is a beautiful man-made amphitheatre, surrounded by stone walls. Regia Anglorum will perform a re-enactment of Æthelstan’s meeting in 927, with stalls and activities relevant to the period, plus live music.

  7. Monday 12th July

    morning

    St. Wilfrid’s Chapel at Brougham Hall

    Commemoration Service for Æthelstan and his family, those who led the fight to establish England.

    The Rector of Penrith will perform a special service to mark the day when, 1100 years ago, the English people were united under one king, Æthelstan, Rex Anglorum

  8. Thursday 5th August

    afternoon

    Tettenhall near Wolverhampton

    Assess the battlefield of Æthelflaed’s great victory.

    This is the anniversary of the Battle of Tettenhall and we will hear how the combined forces of Æthelflaed and her brother King Edward of Wessex defeated a large army of Northumbrian raiders from Tettenhall to Wednesfield.

  9. Saturday 28th August

    afternoon

    Tempsford near Sandy, Bedfordshire

    Recognising the military ability of King Edward.

    Edward’s most significant victory over the Danish forces in East Anglia was at Tempsford in 917.

Festival Weekend tickets

Tickets are on sale through Eventbrite.

Saturday and Sunday each run as a morning session and an afternoon session. Every session is sold separately with its own ticket, at £16.50 per adult per session.

Get tickets

  1. Friday 9th July 2027

    7pm to 9pm

    Old English Poetry & Song

    There will be a rendition of the well-known saga, BEOWULF by Hugh Lupton, who is an award-winning storyteller, performer and author. He is also a poet and lyricist, whose work spans over 35 years. It will be performed in Old English with a simultaneous modern English translation for the audience to read.

    The Skaldic Bard will perform his own poems and songs, again in Old English.

    • Price to be confirmed

  2. Saturday 10th July 2027

    10am to 1:30pm

    Athelstan’s meeting in 927 explained through a ‘living history reenactment’.

    Regia Anglorum, one of England’s best history reenactment groups will be showcasing the look, feel, smell and sound of life in 10th century England. Visitors will have ample opportunity to engage with the re-enactors to understand how people worked and lived 1100 years ago. There will also be realistic Church service performance, followed by Athelstan meeting with the Celtic Kings and then feasting. After a strongman competition all the kings accept Athelstan’s conditions and take an oath of allegiance.

    The morning session will be completed by songs from The Skaldic Bard, sung in Old English but translated.

    • Adult £16.50
    • Adult + 1 Child £18.50
    • Adult + 2 child £20.50

  3. Saturday 10th July 2027

    1:30pm to 5pm

    Athelstan’s meeting in 927 explained through a ‘living history reenactment’.

    Regia Anglorum, one of England’s best history reenactment groups will be showcasing the look, feel, smell and sound of life in 10th century England. Visitors will have ample opportunity to engage with the re-enactors to understand how people worked and lived 1100 years ago. There will also be realistic Church service performance, followed by Athelstan meeting with the Celtic Kings and then feasting. After a strongman competition all the kings accept Athelstan’s conditions and take an oath of allegiance.

    The morning session will be completed by songs from The Skaldic Bard, sung in Old English but translated.

    • Adult £16.50
    • Adult + 1 Child £18.50
    • Adult + 2 child £20.50

  4. Sunday 11th July 2027

    10am to 1:30pm

    Athelstan’s meeting in 927 explained through a ‘living history reenactment’.

    Regia Anglorum, one of England’s best history reenactment groups will be showcasing the look, feel, smell and sound of life in 10th century England. Visitors will have ample opportunity to engage with the re-enactors to understand how people worked and lived 1100 years ago. There will also be realistic Church service performance, followed by Athelstan meeting with the Celtic Kings and then feasting. After a strongman competition all the kings accept Athelstan’s conditions and take an oath of allegiance.

    The morning session will be completed by songs from The Skaldic Bard, sung in Old English but translated.

    • Adult £16.50
    • Adult + 1 Child £18.50
    • Adult + 2 child £20.50

  5. Sunday 11th July 2027

    1:30pm to 5pm

    Athelstan’s meeting in 927 explained through a ‘living history reenactment’.

    Regia Anglorum, one of England’s best history reenactment groups will be showcasing the look, feel, smell and sound of life in 10th century England. Visitors will have ample opportunity to engage with the re-enactors to understand how people worked and lived 1100 years ago. There will also be realistic Church service performance, followed by Athelstan meeting with the Celtic Kings and then feasting. After a strongman competition all the kings accept Athelstan’s conditions and take an oath of allegiance.

    The morning session will be completed by songs from The Skaldic Bard, sung in Old English but translated.

    • Adult £16.50
    • Adult + 1 Child £18.50
    • Adult + 2 child £20.50