THE October meeting took place at Feckenham Village Hall where Stanley English, a member of the Simon de Montfort Society, spoke of the Battle of Evesham to a packed house.

He described a recently discovered document, written by a monk at the time of the battle in 1265, which historians agree proves almost conclusively that the route taken by the King into Evesham was along the Old Worcester Road.

Mr English made his account of the years leading up to the battle and afterwards so detailed and informative that listeners felt they knew the antagonists and their armies personally.

He referred also to inaccuracies concerning the Greenhill Battle, and, in particular, the placing of the obelisk at the site where Simon de Montfort was said to have been slain.

His view was that this was 19th century nonsense! Simon it seemed died on the battlefield while his son, who was supposed to be meeting him with reinforcements, was having breakfast in Alcester.

This was one of the bloodiest battles of the Middle Ages and where no surrender was accepted.

The next meeting of the society will take place at Webheath Village Hall on Thursday, November 9, when Dr John Harcup will speak on "Elgar - his life and music."

Meetings start at 7.45pm and visitors are very welcome.