TV filmmakers shoot Civil War drama in South Africa 'because England isn't English enough'

Today, the Northamptonshire site where 27,000 men fought the most important battle of the Civil War remains one of the country's best-preserved battlefields, in recognition of its place in history.

But it is not authentic enough, apparently, for Channel 4.

Historic: The monument marking the real site of the Battle of Naseby

It sent film crews, actors and production staff 6,000 miles, to South Africa, to recreate the battle for a new historical drama.

Producers said the site at Stellenbosch, north of Cape Town, is more like 17th century Northamptonshire than 21st century Northamptonshire is.

But angry historians say authenticity was sacrificed to keep costs down.

James Kemp, of the English Civil War Society, said: 'It seems bizarre. You could not get any more authentic than the actual battlefield.

'The main site is in good condition and set perfectly in rolling English countryside.

'South Africa certainly doesn't spring to mind when you think of alternative locations.

'There may be issues with the odd telegraph pole in the background, but surely with the technology they have and a bit of camerawork this wouldn't be a problem?

'It's a real shame as it undermines the hard work that is done by volunteers who help recreate British history here for British people. It makes you wonder what they will do next.'

The Channel 4 programme is the Devil's Whore, a £7million four-part epic co-funded by the U.S. network HBO.

It is set between 1642 and 1660.

It shows history through the eyes of a fictional 17-year-old, Angelica Fanshawe, who is born into a Royalist family but becomes with leading Parliamentarians including Cromwell.

Filming was completed earlier this month and it is due to screened later this year.

Liza Marshall, controller of drama for Channel 4, admitted it had been cheaper to film in South Africa, but insisted: 'We found a region where the countryside looks similar to England, with oak trees and other familiar locations.'

Northamptonshire county councillor Ursula Jones, an amateur historian, said: 'It's a shame they couldn't use the historic site because it's been so well preserved.'

Where are we? King Charles I in action at the Battle of Naseby

Stellenbosch is also known as the City of Oaks, after the trees that were planted there when it was founded in 1679 - 34 years after Naseby.

In the battle, on the morning of June 14, 1645, Cromwell's 15,000-strong New Model Army, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, overwhelmed 12,000 Royalists, killing 1,000 and capturing 5,000.

Charles's forces never recovered and he was captured two years later and executed in 1649. Royalty returned in 1661 with the coronation of Charles II, which set the country on course to the present form of government.

Film and drama producers have been turning increasingly to unlikely sites for shoots in recent years because of tax breaks and cheap labour.

Prague was used to recreate 19th century London in From Hell, a film about Jack the Ripper starring Johnny Depp.

And earlier this year film scouts were searching Ireland for locations, including castles and forests, to film £15 million period drama Mary Queen of Scots, starring Scarlet Johansson.