A KEY battle from the English Civil War is being re-enacted this weekend.

The skirmish at Powick Bridge marked the start of outright war when, in 1642, Royalists and Parliamentarians met in battle for the first time.

Around 1,000 men on each side took part in the battle, which saw around 700 men killed.

Now, 380 years later, the annual recreation of the battle will get underway on Saturday, September 24.

Meeting at the Maple Leaf in Lower Wick at 12.45pm, the Battle of Worcester society will then move on to Powick Bridge at 1pm where the re-enactment, commemorative ceremony and a minute's silence will take place.

From there, they will march back to the Maple Leaf at 2.45pm, where refreshments will be served before the event comes to an end at around 5pm.

The battle materialised when Parliamentary forces attempted to ambush a convoy carrying treasure making its way to Worcester.

The Royalists learned of the planned ambush, and Prince Rupert with around 1,000 men arrived during the afternoon of September 22, 1642 to meet the ambush.

As the Parliamentary cavalry advanced towards the city, the would-be ambushers were ambushed by the Royalist men from behind the hedgerows.

Colonel Brown and his Parliamentarians were taken completely by surprise and a cavalry charge by Prince Rupert’s men saw the Parliamentarians retreat over Powick Bridge, where a few Parliamentarians set up a barricade to halt the Royalist attack while their colleagues escaped.

The Parliamentarians admitted to 36 dead and 21 wounded, who were treated at the Red Lion, in Powick.

Prince Rupert claimed to have killed 80 Parliamentarians, with some trampled to death during the chaotic retreat and others drowned in the river Teme, either being pushed in during the mêlée or trying to swim across.

Prince Rupert claimed his losses were “negligible” but his reputation was born at Powick Bridge and the Treasure Convoy was safely delivered to King Charles at Shrewsbury.