HISTORIANS are retracing an epic journey taken by a prince during the English Civil War.
Seven riders are following in the footsteps of Royalist Prince Rupert, who led an army over the Pennines from Liverpool to lift the siege of York in 1644.
The attempt failed when his forces were defeated at the Battle of Marston Moor, seven miles west of York.
Prince Rupert's loyalty to the Crown is being commemorated this week by the historians, who have used the ride to raise money for the Army Benevolent Fund.
The riders, led by historian Professor Richard Holmes and Army Benevolent Fund controller Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, set off from Liverpool on Sunday, in period costume.
They are due to arrive at Marston Moor today.
On Wednesday, the group took time out to open a new network of bridleways in the Washburn Valley, west of Harrogate.
A partnership between Yorkshire Water and the Forestry Commission has allowed the company to create eight kilometres of rides through woodland. The bridleways are along the route followed by the Royalist army in 1644.
Yorkshire Water recreation manager Bob Baxter said: "It therefore seemed fitting that we should ask 'Prince Rupert' to pause awhile to open our new network officially - and the new paths will be named in his honour."
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