In August 1642, the long-standing dispute between King Charles 1 and his parliament erupted into open warfare. Seven years later, in January 1469, the king was executed and for the next eleven years Britain became a Republic. Bolton Castle was held for the king until November 1645 when the castle garrison ran out of food and was forced to surrender. The Bolton Castle you see today is mostly due to events once the castle had surrendered. ‘Living Historians’ are on hand to tell you more  the arms and armour of the period. In a war that split families in their loyalties, who would you have fought for?