THE descendants of the two commanders in the final battle of the English Civil War are to come face-to-face – in the exact spot where their ancestors faced each other 366 years ago.

A plaque to mark the spot in the Town Square where Royalist General Sir Jacob Astley surrendered to the Parliamentary troops on March 21 1646 will be unveiled by his descendant David Glaisyer, who lives in the town on the 366th anniversary of the battle.

He will stand side-by-side with Norman Goodman, the descendant of Parliamentary commander Sir William Brereton, who received Sir Jacob’s surrender.

Mr Goodman said he was looking forward to shaking Mr Glaisyer’s hand when they meet for the first time.

“I saw the event advertised and I thought it was interesting that his ancestor surrendered the Royalist army, and my ancestor received the surrender,” he added.

“It started off as a bit of a joke, but when I contacted the Civic Society they said they would be delighted for me to come along.

“I’ve always been interested in the history of my family, so I’m very glad to get to take part in this.”

The plaque has been funded by Stow Civic Society, and also remembers the 200 Royalist soldiers who fled the battle.

Legend says they were caught in the Town Square and blood ran down Digbeth Street as the Roundheads massacred them.

Civic Society spokesman Derek Taylor said he was delighted they had been able to get the two descendants together for the event.

“We’ve known Mr Glaisyer for some time, but when we began to publicise the event Mr Goodman came forward and asked if he could be involved too,” he said. “Of course we said we would be delighted.”

“We are all very excited – it’s added a very nice little twist to the event.”

The ceremony at 11am on March 21 will also involve a parade by Civil War re-enactment society the Sealed Knot.

The Society is holding a range of other events to mark the anniversary of the battle, including a talk by TV historian Julian Humphrys at St Edward’s Hall on March 23, and a guided walk hosted by Simon Marsh of the Battlefields Trust on March 25.

For tickets, visit Go-Stow or email tim.c.norris@gmail.com