Shrewsbury battlefield from the visitor centre, Shropshire
Shrewsbury battlefield from the visitor centre, Shropshire
Shrewsbury battlefield from the visitor centre, Shropshire

Battlefields Selection Guide

The sites of 47 particularly important battles are included on the Register of Historic Battlefields, which is administered by Historic England. The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that registered battlefields are designated heritage assets of the highest significance.

What the guide covers

The selection guide discusses first the definition of a battle, and outlines the changing nature of warfare in England between the late Saxon period and the seventeenth century - the compass of sites included.

The second half of the guide sets out the principal designation criteria - notably historic significance and the necessity of being able to securely map a battlefield - before moving on to discuss other designation criteria such a archaeological potential, documentation, and biographical associations.

A select bibliography gives suggestions for further reading.

Also of interest