Barnet Museum is marking the anniversary of the Battle of Barnet by hanging replica heraldic banners on the lampposts of Barnet High Street. By Mike Noronha
Banners at Barnet Museum
Barnet Museum is marking the anniversary of the Battle of Barnet by hanging replica heraldic banners on the lampposts of Barnet High Street.
On 23rd March 2021, Theresa Villiers MP for Chipping Barnet gave a speech in Parliament noting the upcoming 550th anniversary of the battle. Villiers used the battle of barnet to make the case that cultural events can help town centres recover from the pandemic.
It is notable that the Battle of Barnet was fought on the only registered battlefield in Greater London one that can be reached by tube!
In the face of Lockdown restrictions, the community of Chipping Barnet was still intent on marking this anniversary. Barnet High Street has been dressed with over 70 heraldic banners commemorating those who fought in the Battle of Barnet.
A further 20 banners will be on display in The Spires Shopping Centre. The banners are authentic and colourful reproductions, researched, designed and painted by volunteers from Barnet Museum. They bring Barnet High Street to life in the midst of this miserable period.
The Battle of Barnet was fought, 550 years ago on Easter Sunday, 14th April 1471.
Part of The Wars of The Roses, the battle was a feud between Royal cousins, struggling to get their hands on the throne of England. This was an integral moment for the “White Rose” Yorkist King Edward IV who won the throne. Amongst the many casualties was Earl of Warwick, known to history as “Warwick the Kingmaker”. He was the richest, most influential and powerful noble in England who lead the Lancastrian army at Barnet. Warwick’s death marked the beginning of the end of the “Red Rose” House of Lancaster.
Three kings fought at the Battle of Barnet: Edward IV the King at the time, his predecessor and enemy, Henry VI (who was a hostage at the battle) and Richard of Gloucester (who would become Richard III).
We hope that you enjoy the sight of these wonderful banners as you walk down the high street.
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