CELEBRATIONS to mark the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Evesham got under way on Saturday when the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP, paid a visit to the town.

Mr Bercow was the keynote speaker at the the Commemoration and Democracy Day in Abbey Park, when a plaque to the memory of Simon de Montfort and all others killed in the battle in 1265.

De Montfort had been leading a rebellion against the King of England, Henry III, because of the king's attempts to wield power arbitrarily. He has subsequently become revered as one of the founders of the modern parliamentary principle.

Mr Bercow spoke to an appreciative crowd of over 100 in Abbey Park, entertaining them with his account of de Montfort's importance in this country's history.

He said that although de Montfort was a man of his time and a baron, and would probably not have agreed with the modern idea of universal suffrage, he nonetheless laid down three principles which were of vital importance to the development of parliamentary democracy.

"These principles were, firstly, that power must be subject to checks and balances if its exercise is not to be arbitrary, secondly, that legitimacy derives from representation, and thirdly, that we want to be governed by the concept of the rule of law.

"As Speaker of the Houser of Commons, I am ever conscious of those principles."

He also said that he hoped schools in Evesham will be among the first to visit the new parliamentary education centre at Westminster, opened last month, and see the results of those principles in action.

Mr Bercow's speech was followed by the unveiling of the plaque by the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Patrick Holcroft and its dedication by the Bishop of Dudley, Rt Rev Graham Usher, followed by the laying of wreaths.

Other civic dignitaries taking part in the ceremony included Evesham mayor Fred Kaler, the High Sheriff of Worcestershire Sir Anthony Winnington, serjeant at arms of the House of Commons Lawrence Ward and Mid-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston.

The event marks the beginning of a fortnight of festivities including talks, tours and a memorial supper.

Among the highlights will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Evesham on Saturday, August 8, which is being billed at the largest 13th-century re-enactment that has ever been arranged.