Custom
Holly Holy Day
Holly in the cap, muskets on the field.
Stand where it happened
- What's there
- Pikemen, musket smoke and holly sprigs
- Legend from
- Civil War custom
- Best time
- Late January
- Tone
- Rousing
Pin on a sprig of holly. Every January, Roundheads and Cavaliers clash again in the streets.
On 26 January 1644, a Parliamentary victory at the Battle of Nantwich lifted a six-week Royalist siege of the town. For years afterwards, townsfolk wore sprigs of holly in their caps or on their clothes to mark the day. That custom gives Holly Holy Day its name. Since 1973 the Sealed Knot has re-enacted the battle on every anniversary, with regiments of Cavaliers and Roundheads. Holly Holy Day 2026 was held on Saturday 24 January. Nantwich Museum ran family activities and 17th-century music and dancing. The organisers called it 'a much-loved tradition that brings our community together to celebrate Nantwich's rich history.'