New exhibition opens at the National Civil War Centre

Friday 26 July 2019 saw Newark’s National Civil War Centre open the doors of a brand new exhibition, titled ‘Fake News.’

The exhibition aims to spark visitors imagination around the concept of ‘Fake News,’ and follows the manipulation of facts throughout the Civil War and into the present day. 

Our initial thoughts around the Civil War may be about the battles, sieges and bloodshed.  On closer inspection, it was actually a battle about the power of the word – and the battle for the voice of God.  How did the Royalists and Parliamentarian’s (the two sides in the Civil War) use their voices to manipulate those around them to join their side and take part in the conflict?

‘Fake News’ is not just a current phenomenon but one that the exhibition exposes as a centuries-old tradition. This manipulation of facts has in fact been going on at least as far back as the 17th century when the chaos and confusion of the Civil Wars, paired with rising literacy and advances in printing, proved fertile ground for misleading media.  

Back in the 1600s, quickly produced and distributed pamphlets offering both the Royalists and Parliamentarian’s versions of events had the same effect as Twitter does in the present day. Just like the way we use filters and Photoshop today, portraits of political leaders were deliberately designed and altered, and extremist groups jumped on new ways to persecute and spread fear about people based on their faith, politics and ways of life.

Fake News is one of two new exhibitions opening at the Centre this year.  The second is a permanent exhibition and due to be opened in September.  The National Civil War Centre is open 7 days a week from 10am until 5pm. For further information about the new exhibition visit www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com or call 01636 655765.