ABOUT US
The Field Detectives is a group of historians that seek opportunities to survey fields that can tell us more about how our historic landscapes evolved. By sharing the findings from our field surveys, we help to inform and re-engage people with their local heritage. One of our favourite sayings is “Every field tells a story”.
FRIENDS OF THE FIELD DETECTIVES
We are a self-funded group, and if you would like to help us with our investigations, we would welcome any donations. Please click on the logo for further details. Thank you.
OUR NEWSLETTERS CAN BE FOUND HERE
The Trial of Colonel Francis Hacker
Review in Newark Advertiser 9 May 2026
A man was put on trial at Newark Parish Church on a charge of high treason – and the verdict fell to all those present in the pews. It was The Trial Of Colonel Francis Hacker, the latest offering to encourage more use of the church after its multi-million-pound Reawakening Project.
The Francis Hacker in question was a Parliamentarian from Stathern in the Civil War – although the rest of his family were Royalists – and was one of Cromwell’s most trusted soldiers.
After the surrender of King Charles, he was in charge of the guards who watched over him, held the death warrant that consigned the monarch to his death for 11 years and signed his execution order. Finally, he stood on the platform at the King’s beheading.
With the fall of the republic and the restoration of Charles’ son – Charles II – to the throne, Francis Hacker was put on trial in 1660 for high treason and, days after being found guilty, was hanged at Tyburn. But should he have been found guilty? Should he have been put to death? That was the question put to the audience at Newark Parish Church on Friday evening.
The ‘trial’ was held 380 years to the day that Newark finally surrendered – on the orders of the King – after three sieges during the Civil War.
Presented by The Field Detectives, a team of actors took the audience through the story of Colonel Hacker, the background to the events, and finally his trial, where we heard from three witnesses – two officers also involved in the build-up to the King’s death, and a member of the public who was present at the execution.
It was then over to the audience to decide his fate – and it is fair to say, this audience, despite Hacker being a Parliamentarian in a Royalist town – was sympathetic to his plight.
It was an enjoyable and entertaining evening – and educational at the same time, as a perhaps lesser known side of the Civil War story was told. And it certainly stirred up debate!
Hopefully, the parish church will put on more of these events going forward.
SEARCHING FOR A GHOSTLY ROMAN ROAD
Join the Detectives for the investigation on Saturday, 23 & Sunday, 24 May.
Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1RE
Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 12 noon.
'We will be opening the Barn especially for your group’s visit.'
This is an incredible opportunity to learn how the National Trust was able to restore the barn.
Link to website - Grange Barn │ Colchester │ Essex | National Trust
Visit to a 13th-century monastic barn
The Field Detectives Talks Calendar