Atherstone's Rich History with the Monarchy

Atherstone has a rich history with the monarchy and the Church of England. From the reign of King Henry VIII, when the Church of England was established, to the present day, the monarchy and the Church have played a significant role in shaping the town's identity and values.

Atherstone has been the site of several significant events in British history, including the Battle of Bosworth, which took place nearby. On 21 August 1485, Henry Tudor, and up to 11,000 troops stayed at Atherstone the day before the Battle of Bosworth. Tudor was said to have stayed at the Three Tuns Inn in Long Street, while his troops camped in a meadow north of the parish church. Reputedly, whilst in Atherstone, Tudor secretly met with the powerful noblemen Thomas Stanley and his brother William Stanley who pledged their support for Tudor, which would prove decisive in the subsequent battle. The battle, which is believed to have occurred eight miles (thirteen kilometres) away near Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, resulted in Tudor's forces defeating those of King Richard III, enabling Tudor to claim the throne and become King Henry VII, establishing the Tudor dynasty.

The town also has links to the monarchy during the medieval period. The Domesday Book of 1086 records that Atherstone (then named Aderestone) was held by Countess Godiva. After the Norman Conquest, the manor of Atherstone was given to Hugh Lupus, Earl of Chester who bestowed it to the monks of Bec Abbey of Normandy. In 1246 the monks of the Abbey obtained a charter from Henry III to hold a weekly market at Atherstone, thus transforming the settlement into a market town. In the 14th century, the town flourished, and Ralph Basset founded a house of Augustinian friars here in 1375.

In Tudor times, Atherstone was a thriving commercial centre for weaving and cloth-making. Local sheep farmers and cattle graziers supplied wool and leather to local tanners and shoemakers, while metalworkers, locksmiths and nailers fired their furnaces with local coal and the ale-makers supplied thirsty palates on market days. During the late Tudor period, Atherstone had become a centre for leather-working, cloth-making, metalworking and brewing.

The surviving inventories from 16th century Mancetter provide a fascinating insight into the town's economic and social life. Atherstone continued to grow during the industrial revolution, with the opening of the Coventry Canal and the railway line. The town's growth was, however, curtailed by the construction of the M6 motorway, which diverted traffic away from Atherstone.

One of the earliest examples of this relationship was during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who granted Atherstone a market charter in 1573. This allowed the town to hold weekly markets, and it quickly became a centre of trade and commerce in the region.

In more recent times, the town has played host to several royal visits, including those of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, who visited Atherstone in 1985 and received a fabulous welcome from the community. They visited St Mary's church to see an exhibition about the felt hatting industry. The town also has strong links with the Royal British Legion, with a local branch founded in 1921 and still active today.

As we look forward to the upcoming coronation of King Charles III, St. Mary's is proud to host a Coronation Tea Party on Sunday 7th May 2023. This event will celebrate the enduring relationship between the monarchy, the Church of England, and the people of Atherstone.

We invite the local community to join us for an afternoon of food, drink, and celebration. There will be traditional English tea and cakes, as well as music and entertainment for all ages. We hope to see old friends and new faces at this joyous occasion, as we come together to honor our shared values and traditions.

So mark your calendars and join us at St. Mary's Church for the Coronation Tea Party on Sunday 7th May 2023. Let us celebrate Atherstone's rich history with the monarchy and the Church, and look forward to a bright future together.