WEYMOUTH is gearing up to look back at one of Dorset’s bloodiest secrets.

The Crabchurch Conspiracy Commemoration Weekend gets underway this Friday.

The event puts a spotlight on a savage part of the English Civil War – the Battle of Weymouth and the Siege of Melcombe, where more than 500 people died in one night of brutal conflict.

It happened as a result of a Royalist plot to overthrow the Parliamentarian garrison within the twin towns of Weymouth and Melcombe.

Crabchurch was the password the plotters used.

Mark Vine, one of the event’s organisers, said it is important to Weymouth’s heritage.

He added: “The weekend is so important for Weymouth’s identity as it has been a hidden and forgotten history for far too long. The siege and battle which took place in its streets, and during which around five hundred people died, are important in an English Civil War context because it has always been suggested that the Royalists wanted to retake the twin ports so that they could land a huge French Catholic army to help turn the war in the king’s favour.”

The weekend starts with the Crabchurch History Talks on Friday at 7pm at Hope United Reformed Church. Speakers including Professor Ronald Hutton and novelist Kit Berry.

and comedian Bishop Bray.

Prof Hutton is best known for his work on the TV shows Time Team and TimeWatch.

Kit Berry is the author behind the acclaimed Stonewylde series. She will be talking about her new novel set on Portland during the time of the Crabchurch Conspiracy.

The relaunched Weymouth Museum will open over the weekend, with free entry. Visitors will be able to see a number of new displays including an English Civil War display.

and some fantastic items recovered from the wreck of the Earl of Abergavenny.

On Saturday, re-enactors are set to take to the streets to recreate the conflict. The re-enactment will be held at the Tudor House on Trinity Street at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The event is an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to meet the characters of the Crabchurch Conspiracy in full 17th century costume and hear about their lives in old Weymouth.

Popular folk rock band The Dolmen will perform their album ‘The Crabchurch Conspiracy’, supported by Czech band Perkelt. The concert is at the Centenary Club from 7pm.

There will also be a one-off show entitled “Death is not the final word” where characters from the Crabchurch Conspiracy appear as ghosts to tell their stories of the conflict. This is on Sunday at the Old Town Hall from 11.30am.

For more information including tickets visit crabchurchconspiracy.wordpress.com