A NEW Civil War trail marking key locations across the city from the era is to be officially launched next month with a free guided tour.

Historian Malcolm Hanson has produced a pamphlet outlining a number of places of interest, starting from City Hall and ending at Bolling Hall, which was used as a base by Royalists during the siege of Bradford in 1643.

Mr Hanson, who lives in Skipton, and has created more than 100 heritage trails for Bradford schools, said he had long been trying to get a Civil War Siege walk up and running.

From October 1642 to March 1644, Bradford which was then little more than a large village, saw several bloody encounters between the Royalist forces of King Charles I and the Parliamentarians.

Hundreds were killed and wounded, but a rabble army of Bradfordians took on, and beat, the King’s soldiers.

Mr Hanson said: “The walk goes through Bradford as it was in the 1600s, when it was no bigger than three streets – Ivegate, Westgate and Kirkgate.

“It starts at City Hall because that is where the statues of King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell can be found facing each other.

“It goes across to Ivegate as it’s where the Parliamentarians and Sir Thomas Fairfax had their headquarters in town. Then we go to Kirkgate which as the main thoroughfare was heavily bombarded.

“We also take in Bradford Cathedral, which was where the Battle of the Steeple took place in 1642.”

In the trail pamphlet, Mr Hanson writes: “Newcastle’s army was over a thousand strong, bolstered by horse troops, dragoons, foot soldiers, pioneers and artillery, and when hostilities began they captured houses close to the church.

“As cannon bombarded the church tower, it became obvious the enemy could not be repelled. The solution was extreme: Bradford’s “rabble” army of just 300 would leave their positions to strike at the very heart of the enemy.

“Swarming from the church and shouting: ‘Conquer or die!’ they rammed their way into the Royalists, causing total disarray.”

For the launch day only Mr Hanson hopes to have a vintage bus available to take people to Bolling Hall, where the tour will end.

Bolling Hall was the location of Royalist commander the Earl of Newcastle’s base, and it is from here he is said to have countermanded the King’s orders and spared the people of Bradford after claiming he was visited by a ghost one night advising him to “Pity poor Bradford”.

“I wanted to be able to tell people about the courageous behaviour of our ancestors and to tell the story of that incredible spirit against such overwhelming odds,” said Mr Hanson.

The official launch will take place on Saturday, September 16, with a VIP reception at City Hall and a first guided walk in the morning.

A free guided walk will begin from 2pm and places can be booked through Mr Hanson directly by calling 01756 798730.

Diana Greenwood , senior tourism development officer, at Bradford Council said: “This is an interesting piece of history that we feel people should be aware of and it takes in several of Bradford’s iconic buildings.

“We hope visitors to Bradford will enjoy the tour and also the amazing architecture Bradford has on offer.”

She added that after the launch people can pick up a leaflet for the self-guided walk from the Bradford Visitor Information Centre or download it now from visitbradford.com

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