Registered Battlefields (UK) facts for kids

Battlefields are special places where important battles happened a long time ago. They are like outdoor museums that tell us about the past. Thousands of soldiers, both famous leaders and ordinary people, lost their lives in these battles. Their sacrifices helped shape the history of their countries.

These historic sites are a big part of a nation's story and identity. They can make people feel strong emotions and are often remembered in stories, poems, and songs. However, it can be hard to learn about their history because there isn't always much to see above ground. Also, history is often written by the winners, so we might not get the full picture.

The United Kingdom has many historic battlefield sites. Some are protected by special laws, like being listed as scheduled monuments or conservation areas. Others are protected because they are in beautiful natural areas like National Parks. Recently, some experts prefer to call them "sites of conflict" instead of "battlefields." This is because it's often hard to know exactly where a battle started and ended.

In England, there's a list called the Register of Historic Battlefields. It includes 43 of the most important battle sites in England. English Heritage looks after this list. In Scotland, Historic Scotland has its own list called the Inventory of Historic Battlefields. There are currently 17 battlefields on this list. In Wales, the government suggested in 2011 that Cadw should also create a list of historic battlefields. Northern Ireland does not currently have a battlefield register or special protection for these sites.

Protecting Battlefield Sites

Protecting historic battlefields with laws is a fairly new idea. This happened after some important events. For example, in 1997, a large grave of soldiers from the 1461 Battle of Towton was found without any protection. Also, in 2003, a big group of people with metal detectors gathered on the Battle of Marston Moor site. These events showed that battlefields needed better care.

Laws in England

In England, battlefield sites are important when new buildings or roads are planned. Historic England lists these sites on the Register of Historic Battlefields. This is done using powers from the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act of 1983. This law didn't specifically say to create a battlefield register. However, a project in 1995 between English Heritage, the National Army Museum, and the Battlefields Trust created one. In 2011, this register became part of the National Heritage List for England, which Historic England manages.

When new plans affect registered battlefields, local planning authorities must consider them. This means that any proposed building or development on or near these sites is carefully reviewed. The planning rules say that historic sites should generally be protected. Local authorities must decide if a new development's benefits are greater than any harm it might cause to the battlefield. Even if a historic site isn't officially listed, it should still be protected. Serious harm or loss to a battlefield should almost never happen.

Some battlefield sites also have other protections. For example, parts of the Battle of Maldon site are in a Coastal Protection Belt and a Special Landscape Area. The Battle of Evesham site has local rules that limit new buildings. Laws about metal detecting and finding old items also apply to battlefield sites across the UK.

Threats to Battlefields

Because there isn't always much to see above ground, battlefield sites are often threatened by new roads and housing. The 2010 Heritage at Risk survey pointed out several sites that are in danger. This includes the Battle of Newburn Ford, which has been slowly built on. Much of the Battle of Stamford Bridge site is now covered by modern buildings. It's important to remember that war cemeteries are protected separately.

What Makes a Battlefield Important Enough to Be Listed?

Even though there are many historic battlefields in England, only a few are considered important enough for the official register. Here are the main things that make a site important:

• Historic Impact: The battle must have had a big effect on English history.
• Clear Location: It must have involved known military groups, and the area where they fought must be clearly identifiable on the ground.
• Surviving Features: Any hills, rivers, or old buildings that were part of the battle are important. Also, the chance to find things from the battle, like graves or weapons, through battlefield archaeology is key.
• Documents and Memorials: Old writings and monuments that help us understand the battle through eyewitness stories or later studies also make a site more important.

In Scotland, the rules are similar. However, there's an extra rule: it must be possible to mark the site on a modern map very accurately. Historic England is currently looking at these rules again.

Unlike listed buildings, registered battlefields in England are not given different grades based on how important they are. This is also something that is being thought about.

How Battlefields Are Identified

The process for identifying and listing a battlefield usually follows these steps:

• Application: Someone applies online using a form on the English Heritage website or by contacting Historic Scotland.
• First Check: English Heritage or Historic Scotland does an initial check to see if the site meets the important criteria.
• Inform Owners: If it does, the owner of the land and the local planning authority are told about the application.
• More Research: More research is done on the site's history and description. This information is put into a first report. The owner, local planning authority, the Battlefields Trust, and the person who applied are all consulted.
• Decision: All the information and opinions are considered, and then English Heritage or Historic Scotland makes a decision.

Lists of Historic Battlefields

The UK Battlefields Trust says there are more than 500 historic battlefields and other conflict sites in England up to the Jacobite uprisings of the 1700s. This group is slowly building a UK "Fields of Conflict" database. They are working with Historic Scotland, Leeds University, and English Heritage. In 2015, an independent Scottish Battlefields Trust was created. Its goal is to protect, promote, and explain Scotland's battlefield history.

The English Heritage Register of Historic Battlefields lists 43 English battlefields. Historic Scotland has 17 sites on its Inventory. The main reason for both lists is to protect these sites and help people understand how important they are. You can search for the location, brief history, and official listing for each registered battlefield in England using The National Heritage List for England. The English Heritage website also has details about sources, history, and archaeological digs for each site. Scottish historic battlefields can be searched online using PASTMAP.

English Historic Battlefields

Scottish Historic Battlefields