Robert Hardy to Open History Exhibition Next Week in Gloucestershire

by · May 23, 2014

Robert Hardy, who played Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter films, is set to open a historic exhibition in Stow-on-the-Wold next week.

The Cheltenham-born actor will open a permanent public exhibition of weaponry and armor, much of which dates back to the English Civil War. Hardy, who has played Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, is an expert on medieval warfare and is the current president of the Battlefields Trust.

The exhibition is the brainchild of the Stow Civic Society and the Arms and Armour Heritage Trust. Tim Norris, chairman of the Stow Civic Society, said:

These weapons and armour help tell of some of the conflicts in our nation’s history and in the story of Stow, where the last battle of the first Civil War was fought in 1646.

We’re very proud to be able to give the collection a safe home where the people of Stow and the many visitors to the town can admire it.

Members of the Sealed Knot Society will be in attendance in Civil War dress when Robert Hardy performs the opening ceremony at St. Edward’s Hall in Stow Square at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29.

Among the guests will be Norman Goodman and David Glaisyer, descendants of the Roundhead and Cavalier commanders, who faced each other at the Battle of Stow.

Were you able to attend the opening ceremony? Let us know in the comments.