| Up in arms: The Cornish in the Civil War |
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Page 3 of 5 Battle of Stratton The months after the Royalist victory at Braddock Down saw much activity along the Tamar Valley. Minor actions took place at Chagford, Modbury and Lifton Down. A more decisive engagement at Okehampton resulted in defeat for the Royalists who moved back to Launceston. Documents captured at Okehampton revealed a Royalist plan to try to link the Cornish Army of Hopton with other Royalist force in Somerset. In an attempt to prevent this, the Parliamentarians again invaded Cornwall. This time they headed north through Holsworthy to Stratton. Hopton reformed his forces at North Petherwin, just North of Launceston, and then marched to Stratton where he met up with Sir Bevil Grenvile and another 1,200 troops. The opposing armies met on May 16, 1643. The Parliamentarians had occupied a prehistoric earthwork on the summit of a hill overlooking Bude. To their front was a gentle slope, to their rear a wooded slope dropped steeply to the River Neet. It was a classic defensive position and would be difficult to take. The battle commenced with an initial assault up the gentle slope by the Royalist Army. Advancing in four columns, supported by cannon, the Royalist forces were beaten back several times by the superior Roundhead forces occupying the hill top. By 3pm, and low on powder, the battle was almost over. Hopton called for one final advance with sword and pike alone. It proved too much for the defending Parliamentarians whose stubborn defence suddenly collapsed. Despite a minor counter attack, led personally by the Parliamentarian leader General Chudleigh, the battle was over and the defenders fled down the steep, wooded slope to escape the victorious Cornishmen. They left behind 300 dead and 1,700 prisoners, 13 cannon, a number of baggage wagons and 70 barrels of gunpowder. The victory was a remarkable one for the Cornish Royalists and it had a profound influence on the war. General Chudleigh changed sides and his father resigned his commission. Hopton advanced into Somerset to join forces with Prince Maurice and was later given the title Earl of Stratton. Today the battle site is still visible and it is marked on most maps of the area. The defensive earthwork remains very clear and there is a monument to the battle on a decorative arch. The steep slope down which the Roundheads fled must be little changed from the time of the battle. |
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