Change text size
Here come the cavalry! Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter
leads the party towards Marston Moor
On 29 July a party of 45 riders in civil war costume thundered onto Marston Moor in Yorkshire to cheers from sponsors and local supporters. In an extraordinary week of riding, the main group of seven riders had retraced the historic route taken by Prince Rupert during the English Civil War that culminated in the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.
The present day ride traversed 130 miles over beaches, through cities and across the moorland of the Pennines, to raise £54,000 for the ABF.
The ride proved popular with
local media
Setting off from Liverpool in full period costume on 24 July, the riders included Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, the Controller of the ABF, and the renowned military historian Professor Richard Holmes, famed for presenting the TV programmes War Walks and On the Western Front.
“The week has been great fun and went very well apart from the normal horse problems and some terrible weather on Thursday. We received a wonderful welcome in Merseyside, Lancashire and Yorkshire. We think we have raised something in the region of £40,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, which is splendid, but we would appreciate any further donations to get us nearer £45,000. As important has been the real interest shown by regional TV, radio and newspapers who all did us proud.”
Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter
Meeting the Mayor of Sefton
Departing Altcar on 24 July, the party rode along the beach to reach Southport, where they were warmly welcomed by the Lord Mayor. Their arrival in Preston City Centre on the following day, escorted by mounted police, provided a remarkable spectacle for local people. After crossing the border into Yorkshire and passing by Bolton Abbey and Ripley Castle, the riders made an impressive arrival at the General Tarlton pub in Ferrensby. Here, local horse riders, taking the part of the royalist cavalry, saddled up to join the fundraisers and follow them on towards Marston Moor.
After an extraordinary week of riding, the party arrived at Marston Moor on 29 July, where Professor Holmes led a Battlefield Tour for sponsors. To close the week's events, an evening reception at Hutton Wandesley Hall provided the backdrop for a Beating Retreat and a spectacular freefall display by the Red Devils of the Parachute Regiment.
Fording the River Ribble
All proceeds from this event, including funds raised by each rider, will go to support the Army Benevolent Fund. You can still support the epic ride by visiting the Justgiving website.
The Prince Rupert Ride retraces the journey made by Prince Rupert and his relief force of 14, 000 infantry and cavalry, on their way to confront a Parliamentarian Army that was holding a siege of the Royalist garrison in York. With the breaking of the siege, the two armies met at dusk at Marston Moor on 2 July 1644. The Royalists, under Prince Rupert, were taken by surprise, losing the battle and consequently the North East of England to the Parliamentarians.
