Draft
31 Jan 13
John Champion
OdSoc
ODIHAM PLANS FOR 2015 CELEBRATIONS OF
MAGNA CARTA 800TH AND DE MONTFORT’S 750TH
Introduction
King John was Odiham’s most important medieval resident, visiting the castle he built here
frequently during 1215. We plan to play our part in 2015 celebrations marking the 800th anniversary
of the sealing of Magna Carta through the Odiham Embroidery, the Odiham Festival and a Great
Journey to Windsor.
Our commemorations will focus on a number of events and programmes for 1215. Key elements
will be the Odiham Embroidery (which is already progressing well), The Odiham Festival in May and
the Odiham-Windsor Walk - along with a speaker programme and other individual events.
The Odiham Society is taking the organisational lead on behalf of a multitude of stakeholders
including Odiham Parish Council and All Saints Church. Planning is being undertaken by a steering
group of enthusiasts, who are intent on making this an inclusive activity that will draw in residents of
Odiham, schools and the wider populations of adjacent parishes and visitors from further afield. We
wish to make this something that Odiham, Hart and Hampshire are proud of and which everyone
enjoys and gains from.
The Odiham Connection
King John spent many days of every year in the saddle and built Odiham Castle as a convenient and
secure stopping place where he could also indulge his passion for hunting in Odiham’s Royal Deer
Park. He visited d on three occasions in May 1215, spending a total of seven nights at the castle. He
returned on 4th June and then again on 9th June, meeting the Bishop of Winchester and proceeding
to Windsor and Runneymede the following day (June 10th). Following the sealing of Magna Carta
King John stopped the night of 26th June at Odiham on his way to Winchester, attesting a translation
of Magna Carta into French at Odiham the next day.
Odiham Castle put up stout resistance to French siege the following year in 2016, inflicting delay that
may well have aided preparations at Windsor Castle that ensured the French siege there was
repulsed.
Odiham Castle passed to Henry 3rd and was given to King John’s daughter Eleanor, who later married
Simon de Montfort. The de Montforts made Odiham their home and it was here that Simon
rejoined his family following Simon de Montfort’s parliament of January 1265. This Parliament is
seen as the earliest forerunner of the modern Parliament because it included not only the men who
made up the Great Council, but also representatives (known as burgesses) from each county and
from the cities and towns,.
Our plans for 2015
The Odiham Society is leading plans for Odiham to contribute to 2015 celebrations of Magna Carta,
known as Magna Carta 800th. We also plan to record and commemorate the de Montfort’s 750 at
the same time.
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Draft
31 Jan 13
John Champion
OdSoc
The Odiham Embroidery, which will be unveiled at the Odiham Festival, an inclusive communitybased project capturing Odiham’s history since Magna Carta. It will depict the history of Odiham
and North Warnborough since 1215, beginning with King John, the Royal deer park and departure
for Windsor and Magna Carta. The steering group has done terrific work and the artwork is well
advanced. Stitching of the embroidery is scheduled to occur during 2013 and 2014, with stretching,
framing and hanging in 2015.
The Odiham Festival, 22-25 May, which we hope will be enjoyed by residents of Odiham and
surrounding Parishes and visitors, is planned as a bank holiday weekend of enjoyment, activity and
history comprising:
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Friday 22 May. A Magna Carta Choral evening at All Saints Church, including the premiere of
the Magna Carta Anthem.
Saturday 23 May. A Medieval Market in the Bury, including medieval military displays,
followed by a medieval banqueting in the evening.
Sunday 24 May. Visits and guided tours of the re-enactment of Medieval Life at Odiham
Castle, including crafts and a hog roast.
Monday 25th May. An Odiham Clog and Morris Festival.
A weekend canal boat fair at the Odiham Wharf, below colt hill with its obvious connection
to early equestrian husbandry.
Guided walks and boat trips, across Odiham’s Royal Deer Park and along the Basingstoke
Canal, and around King John’s Castle.
Additional events spanning the Festival weekend and following days will include:
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A Heritage Display featuring the Odiham Embroidery.
A Flower Festival in All Saints’ Church spanning the weekend and following week.
Further events are evolving but could include:
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A programme of programme of talks including
o Magna Carta as it happened 1213-1215.
o Democratic Foundations of Magna Carta and de Montfort’s Parliament.
o The evolution of democracy and the state of play in 2015.
An Odiham Art festival that will see art associated with or depicting 13th century Odiham
displayed in each shop, public house, restaurant, church and public venue in Odiham and North
Warnborough.
We hope to organise an archaeological dig on private land to seek evidence of medieval industry in
North Warnborough and, perhaps most importantly, to allow school parties and visitors to see how
an archaeological dig is conducted.
Actions are in hand to seek connection with universities to seek research that will map Odiham and
North Warnborough as it might have existed in the 13th century and focus on local bishops and
barons who figured in the Magna Carta story.
The Great Windsor Journey, on 6/7 June will recall King John’s journey from Odiham to Windsor on
9th June 1215 to agree the Articles of the Barons. Thos opting for a short version will meet with
those taking the arduous option of walking the entire way along the Basingstoke Canal and Rivers
Wey and Thames, to end in a picnic in Windsor Great Parl.
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31 Jan 13
John Champion
OdSoc
Conclusion
Magna Carta symbolises democratic roots across the world and events at Odiham will celebrate its
sealing in 1215 through an enjoyable and entertaining programme designed to include, to inform
and to uplift all who take part and visit.
John Champion
DRAFT PLANS TO CELEBRATE MAGNA CARTA 800 AND DE MONTFORT 750
THROUGH THE ODIHAM FESTIVAL OF 2015
IN ODIHAM AND NORTH WARNBORUGH
Fri 22 May
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Sat to Monday
Sat 23 May
Sun 24 May
Mon 25 May
Unveiling of the
Odiham
Embroidery
Re-re-enactment
at Odiham Castle
Clog & Morris
Festival
Hog Roast
Deer Park farm
show
Medieval Fair
Choral Concert
Mediaeval
banquet
Odiham Embroidery and Heritage Displays (Odiham)
Archaeological dig open to public
Medieval living: real life re-enactment
Guided boat trips and medieval tours from the Wharf to
Castle
Canal boat rally at THE Wharf in Odiham
Flower Festival in All Saint’s Church
Guided walks – Odiham, Deer Park and Castle
Ongoing
Art across Odiham & North Warnborough – a piece of art related to 13th century
in each shop, restaurant, public house and public venue.
After festival
Great Windsor Journey (6/7 June)
During 1215
Eminent and entertaining speaker programme
Venues (during
festival and at
other times)
Castle, Wharf, Bury, All Saints’ Church, Cross Barn, Village Hall, Schools
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