In 1642 the English Civil War came to Sussex, with royalists fighting parliamentarians. In that year, the major conflict was focused on Chichester, but the following year, and into 1644, the centre of attention was on Arundel and the siege of the castle. This year, Arundel Museum, in partnership with historian, Chris Hare of History People UK, will be exploring this momentous history, and celebrating its most significant events in a series of school workshops and illustrated talks at the museum. There will also be a musical flavour, with songs of the Civil War era being recreated in a concert by folk group, The Duck Pond Sailors, at St. Nicholas’ Church, Arundel on 6th November. Local children will also be learning some of these songs and they will be staging a concert in Arundel on 5th July. There will be an exhibition about Arundel and the Civil War at the museum during the forthcoming autumn and winter. We will be making a video about these dramatic moments in local history, that, in due course, will be available for all to watch on You Tube.

With grateful thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting this project.