On that night in 1664
English Civil War re-enactors mark anniversary of First Battle of Newbury
THE English Civil War Society has marked the 379th anniversary of the First Battle of Newbury.
Re-enactors from the Marquess of Winchester regiment walked from Hill Close to Elizabeth Avenue and via Barn Crescent on to the former battlefield on Tuesday evening.
The memorial walk started at 6.30pm and a minute’s silence was held at 7pm – the time the battle concluded – to honour the thousands killed.
Martin Richards, from Newbury, has been involved with the society for more than 20 years.
He said: “It all went very well. We had a number of the public there which is good.
“We’re just trying to make people aware of what happened on these fields.
“Even people that live very close to the battlefield don’t
realise what happened right under their feet.”
The battle inspired several nearby street names, including Essex Street, Charles Street, Battle Street and Falkland Road.
Mr Richards added: “We prefer to show people history.
“That’s the only way we can preserve and make the younger generations respect history.
“I’m not sure how next year is going to go, whether it’ll get bigger or smaller.
“It’s getting more technical now, we have to inform the police and get different insurances.”
The battle was the largest engagement between Royalist and Parliamentary forces in 1643 and is a defining moment of the First English Civil War (1642-1646).
After the Siege of Gloucester, Parliamentary forces led by the Earl of Essex were retreating to London when they were intercepted at Newbury by the Royalist army under King Charles I.
Parliamentarian infantry had assumed a strong defensive position on an enclosed field atop Round Hill, preventing the superior Royalist cavalry from breaching their lines.
After 12 hours of intense fighting and high casualties, the battle ended in a stalemate.
The event is considered a critical failure for the Royalists for allowing the Parliamentarians to reach London.
We’re just trying to make people aware of what happened on these fields