Thistle, or Thistleton, Farm (Site of)

Demolished in the 1970s, it was almost certainly not present during the battle - it's referred to as 'New Farm' as early as 1701 - but within the context of the battle it remains an important location concerning studies of the battle. (See Battle Farm, close by - to the southwest - for more information).

From here an old hedgerow ran to Red Road and then followed a track leading to Battle Farm which was described by the Rev G.Miller in 'Illustrated Naval and Military Magazine' in 1890 as a key source of military artefacts from the battle. He wrote The carnage must here have been great, as we see by the amount of relics that have lately been turned up in front of the hedgerow in a plantation, once called the Little Graveyard, just behind the spot that is still called the "Grave". The plantation is thought to now be called Graveground Coppice and the 'Grave' was the area to its south eastern facing edge.

C. J. Ribton–Turner (Shakespeare's Land. 1893) also tells us that two 28lbs Royalist cannon balls were found close by and were once kept at the farm.

The farms Battledon and Thistledon [sic], about midway between Radway and Kineton, marked by the coppices which almost hide the homesteads, are noted from the fact of so much of the fight having revolved round them.

English Heritage Archives feature Thistle Farm.

Parish boundary and hedgerow

This boundary (defined by the hedgerow running south) is truly ancient and it's hedge was present during the battle. This hedgerow continued some 900 metres across half of the central battlefield - not always along the highest point of the crest of land it loosely follows - and also defines where the old Kineton open fields met the Radway common field.

The enclosures either side - south of the Banbury Road - in relation to traditional (and arguably obsolete) deployment conjectures are often thought to represent the hedges encountered by the Royalist right-wing cavalry as they charged forwards, and which may have also been lined with Parliamentary musketeers.

Ramsay's cavalry were probably deployed in the field to the left [west of the hedge], with musketeers lining the hedge.

For further detail concerning the parish boundary: Terrain Conjecture.

Enclosures and hedges

They [the Parliamentary cavalry] stood still all the while upon the hill expecting the charge so that we were fain to charge them uphill and leap over some 5 or 6 hedges and ditches

This region potentially represents the area of hedges and ditches described by Stuart, the commander of the King's Lifeguard (deployed on the extreme right of the cavalry wing)*.

Richard Bulstrode tells us that Colonel Washington, with his Regiment of Dragoons (known as Prince Maurice's regiment), was the first to descend Edgehill and it is logical to expect that he would have followed the road down - now the modern B4086 - and taken its route across Radway field to occupy some enclosures and briars on the right hand of our army.

* Click the far right polygon in the default deployment conjecture (2009).

Rupert's cavalry continue their pursuit

The detail of modern archaeological finds strongly suggest a main route for the Royalist's pursuit: The royalist's right wing cavalry swept through this broad area pursuing the fleeing ranks of the parliamentarian left–wing (heading towards the parliamentary camp and baggage train). This alleged loss of focus and discipline would famously prove costly and was exacerbated by their reserve horse following in their wake. Such plundering had historically been a recurring feature of battles.

The elation of hot pursuit, a lust for blood, as well as the prospect of plunder, all too often proved the cavalry's nemesis. After breaking the enemy's lines at Edgehill and Naseby [a later battle], Prince Rupert's [royalist] cavalry continued to charge for several miles, looting the enemy baggage train. By the time they were able to regroup and come back to the fray the fighting was over. […] Even if the royalist horse had returned sooner to Edgehill or Naseby, the thrill of the chase, and the rapture of rapine, broke all unit cohesion. A contemporary wrote 'the soldiers were so dispersed that there were not ten of any one troop together'.

The men on foot must have been easy prey to the slashing swords, if they were not ridden down — a painful and much-bruising experience but preferable to a sword cut.

Rupert's charge

Modern and recent research indicates these slopes to be the uphill ground upon which Rupert and his right-wing cavalry advanced and charged towards the Parliamentary left-wing Horse.

Rupert's Horse took Ramsey's stationary squadrons at the gallop and the Parliamentarians quickly put spur to horse and fled.

Some challenge whether his cavalry charged or approached at more of a controlled canter, but many still believe that Rupert's cavalry performed a 'thunderbolt charge', whereby thousands of horse at a gallop produce an intimidating thunderous noise.

[…] the world-famous charge of Prince Rupert's horse.

When this uphill terrain (as viewed from the roadside when looking south west) is combined with the continuing gradient in the field from the opposite side of the road – to the north east – a significant and continuing line of rising ground continues in total for approximately 500 metres.

Skeletons of soldiers

At the river Dene the old ford shows the main route into the village, prior to Bridge Street and is contemporary with the battle.

In the 19th century workmen building a sluice close to the ford retrieved armour and several skeletons from the river banks. These were believed to have been Parliamentarian casualties and it's been speculated that they died either defending the ford, fleeing the camp as Royalist horse-men arrived or fell victim to pursuing Royalist cavalry as they slowed crossing the river.

Near to the old ford on the road from Great to Little Kineton several bodies were found some years ago, which were probably those of some of the soldiers of Essex's army […]

[…] the brook, which runs in a picturesque dell, on the left [southern] bank of which in the year 1853 two skeletons were discovered lying one across the other, which were supposed to be those of soldiers killed in defending the ford from an attack by Prince Rupert's troopers.

Amidst the melee

Here, a public footpath crosses the broad route taken by the fleeing ranks of the Parliamentary left-wing cavalry (and their musketeers on foot), while being ruthlessly pursued by Royalist horse regiments.

Archaeological evidence demonstrates this open landscape to have bore witness to the scattering of Parliament's left-wing and the Royalist's route to the rebel's baggage train.

He [Lord Wharton, from Parliament's left-wing cavalry] truthfully reported the disgraceful panic of the four infantry regiments, all of which he identified. He excused the runaways as best he could by saying, truly enough, that they were 'but young soldiers', and stated his belief that they would do better. He accused Rupert's cavalry of ruthless cruelty in pursuit of plunder, alleging they killed harmless countrymen, women and children. 'They aim at ... pillage ... and the way ... is murdering.'

The pistol calibre bullets from this pursuit extend at least as far as Great and Little Kineton, tending to focus into three broad zones running westwards, the two most distinct following shallow valleys. They are almost exclusively of pistol calibre with almost no carbine [short musket], which are more likely to have been used at the stand. Thus there seems little doubt that these scatters result largely from pursuers and pursued exchanging fire at close quarters as they rode hard away from the main battle.

Edgecote House

King Charles stayed at the home of Sir William Chancie at Edgecote the night before the battle.

A council of war was also held at Edgecote on the 22nd when the decision to action the plan to seize Banbury was made. At this time, the Royalists were unaware of the Parliamentarian's close proximity.

Later that same night, Prince Rupert learnt of the rebel's headquarters at Kineton, and got word to the king by 3am. Charles wrote his response:

Nepheu,
I have given order as you have desyred; so I dout not but all the foot and canon will bee at Eggehill betymes this morning, where you will also find Your loving oncle &
Faithful frend, Charles R.
4 o'clock this Sunday morning.

Charles had agreed to follow his nephew's suggestion and the Royalist Army aimed to rendezvous at Edgehill as soon as was possible.

‘Under Wormington Hills’

The Prince of Wales Regiment was quartered at two or three villages under the Wormington Hills for the night on Saturday the 22nd. From here Richard Bulstrode first spotted the fires of the Parliamentarian camps at Kineton.

When it was dark, we saw several Fires not far from us, and sending out a Party to see, we were soon informed, that the Earl of Essex was there with his whole Army, and quartered at Keinton [sic]…

One or two secondary sources have selected the hills around and south of Fenny Compton as the Wormington Hills, but no evidence for this can be found. The only namesake is Warmington which does feature a renowned hill - and wide undulating escarpment - and which saw regular military occupation during the war. The wide section of escarpment facing north eastwards also provides hills which are within the parish of Warmington. Bulstrode's general description of under accommodates the village of Avon Dassett, as the Kineton fields are visible from its raised position. 'Under' is likely to refer to being 'overlooked' by the well known hills of Warmington. (If 'wormington' is possibly a corruption of 'wormleighton', then Avon Dassett would still accommodate and fit the description provided by Bulstrode).

King's route to battle (Trad)

Tradition reasonably relates that the minor road from Cropredy - through Mollington - to Warmington is the route taken by Charles from Edgecote to Edgehill.

This is perhaps reflected in the name of 'March Road' for part of this route.

Those nine or ten miles by road from Edgcote and Cropredy to the top of Edgehill must have been a trying march for King Charles' infantry. First of all a descent to the Cherwell, then a sharp climb of some 200 feet to Mollington, then down again into the valley, then up nearly 300 feet to Warmington, thence a tiring pull up to Edgehill (which is over 700 feet above sea-level and quite 200 feet higher than Warmington). So it is not to be wondered at that it was past one o'clock before the Royal Army marched down the hill, and that it was three o'clock before they got to grips.

Royalist route to battlefield

All of the Royalist artillery, most of its infantry, and certainly most or all of its cavalry, descended the hill using the road on this hillside.

[…] great Preparations were made, and Precautions taken for descending the Hill, which was very steep and long, and had been impracticable, if the Enemy had drawn nearer to the Bottom of it. […] Six Hundred Horse were ordered likewise to descend before the Army, and the Carriage Horses of the Cannon were put behind the Carriages, excepting a Horse or two before, and the Foot were ordered to descend as well as they could. […] the Foot getting down several Ways which the Horse could not do, by reason of the Hill's Steepness

Bulstrode's original text - unchanged by a later editor - states covered and not several ways.

King Charles' Road (Site of)

A narrow track called 'King Charles Road' once ran (here) in a straight line from the hillside to King's Leys Barn and is featured in Peter Young's 1967 Edgehill publication, amongst others. It is speculated to have existed during the battle.

On maps of this battle a line is generally shown called "King Charles' lane" or "road," "or carriage way." It runs perfectly straight from the lower edge of the cover to King's Leys Barn […] As marked on the map it should run from the wood on the left of the road going down Knowle-end hill [B4086] direct to some solitary farm buildings near the lower of the two lanes [Langdon Lane] …

The track is featured in some versions of the local folklore that Charles sent for his carriage at the end of the battle, while other sources have suggested that King Charles toured the battlefield the next morning riding in his coach, and it may have been believed that this track formed part of that journey.

Such local mythology struggles to withstand factual scrutiny but such a track may well probably have existed - dispite 'History of Radway's' doubts - and would have provided the obvious route from the barn back to the hillside and conceivably may have been utilised by part of the Royalist army to move heavy artillery towards their initial positions.

Ploughed land

Evidence of ancient ridge and furrow (created by ploughed strips) still exists within the modern Graveground Coppice woodland. Contemporary accounts describe how Royalist cannon balls landed in such terrain.

the enemy did shoote one to us, which fell 20 yards short in a plowed Land, and did no harme [sic]

A contemporary letter also describes the King's artillery:

for being so much upon the descent his cannon either shot over, or if short it would not graze [bounce/skid] by reason of the ploughed land

Lucas's Knoll (Trad)

Local tradition records this higher ground as the location where Sir Charles Lucas rallied around 200 Royalist horsemen during the battle.

While virtually all the Royalist cavalry were leaving the immediate action - in pursuit of the enemy - Lucas managed to organise a collection of troopers from various regiments to attack the Parliamentary rear. He first engaged the fleeing infantry of Charles Essex's Regiment and then Lord Wharton's Regiment.

Amidst this, Captain John Smith had led three charges, and would later personally recapture the King's Royal Banner as he made his way back to the Royalist's frontline.

Here on this slight rise Lucas rallied some of his troopers and then launched a series of charges into the routing men who streamed across his front.

In relation to the 2009 deployment conjecture, this traditional location now appears perfectly vindicated and fits the interpretation of launching directly into the rear of Essex's brigade.

Folklore inspiration (Trad)

Surviving earthworks record where the rambling hamlet of Westcote once stood, but the claims of author Alfred Beesley in 1841, of cannon balls being frequently found on the brow of the hill above perhaps remain inexplicable. Accommodating this detail he poses the suggestion that Possibly the hamlet of Westcot was destroyed at the battle of Edgehill. While extremely fanciful this is then elaborated upon by 1893's 'Shakespeare's Land' when the author states that cannon balls have been found on the site with the hamlet's supposed fate also reported much more confidently. But this casual hypothesis is then reported as fact by 'History of Radway' - written by Radway inhabitants - in 1937, when it states the hamlet was almost destroyed by the artillery during the battle.

The foundations of what was once known as old town appear to provide an example of how anything of antiquity is seemingly inevitably absorbed into some form of local folklore concerning the battle. The hamlet is believed to have been destroyed by the end of the 15th century.

A 2lb ball was also once found at the village of Hornton (to the south east).

Rupert's tuesday attack

On the Tuesday following the battle - in a strategic manoeuvre to circumnavigate the battlefield and maintain an element of surprise - Prince Rupert, accompanied by a strong Detachment of Horse and Dragoons, descended the escarpment along this road for an attack upon any Parliamentarians that remained at Kineton.

He was characteristically ruthless when he found:

all Houses full of wounded and sick Men, with divers Officers, and several Waggons loaded with Muskets and Pikes, and all Sorts of Ammunition, preparing to follow the [Parliamentarian] Army, which was marched towards Warwick. [sic]

Fire fight

Archaeological evidence suggests that this is the general region - and extending southwards - where the fire fight drew the battle to a close during the dying light and where Gerard's brigade held the Parliamentarian counter-attack, with each opposing side on either side of the Radway brook and ditch.

A further scatter of musket bullets, towards the east of the battlefield, appears to represent the final stages of the infantry action, when the royalists retreated in the face of a parliamentarian counter-attack. According to the battle accounts, this was finally halted by artillery and musket fire from a ditch.

Bleadon hill
(or sometimes/later Bladen hill)

Bleadon hill has long been traditionally considered the small wold described by a contemporary battle report as a small round hill which is the impression created when viewed from the north east. At this western point, its relative height is at its greatest, as it forms a short ridge heading north eastwards, but its eastern slopes quickly flatten and merge - north of Red road - into the general terrain halfway towards the Banbury road - but a small yet sharp depression and drop in land height into the lower terrain to the west maintains the impression of a small hill - from the west - as it bends north-westwards towards and along the Banbury road. (Along the road, the ground falls away again north-eastwards - to the north of the road).

Often this landscape feature has been alluded to as a small ridge apparently simply running in a straight line from where the Oaks plantation now stands all the way to the Banbury road. The curving ridge and steeper sides to the west are shown in the first series OS map from 1834.

Bleadon (or Bladen) hill continues to be recognised as the small round hill, but this can only be loosely secured with caveats of viewing the raised ground from a given direction. An awkward truth may remain that Bleadon hill actually isn't "round" but is an extended oblong shape? The 2009 new interpretation of where the Parliamentarian left infantry were positioned may produce a new interpretation for the contemporary description of small round hill, as standing amidst their shallow ground one is encompassed by a small and round hill as it curves around a shallow valley in a "round" shape.

The Oaks plantation: This round woodland (which was not present during the battle) is a key landmark feature for locating this significant swell of land.

Cavaliers and the Blacksmith (Trad)

At the well-known 'Egge cottage', there has long been a local tradition that Cavaliers had their horse's re-shoed before the battle. This stone cottage was designed and built by Radway's squire, at the end of his parkland, in around 1743 as one of the earliest cottage ornés. As Sanderson Miller's first example of his Gothic revival architecture he designed prominent rounded towers at two corners as well as originally including random masonry standing against its outside walls; all to provide the impression that it had been created from pre-existing old ruins. He would repeat this romantic vision elsewhere, including other projects within the Edge Hill village.

This local folklore arguably provides yet another example of anything of apparent antiquity, morphing into anicdotes concerning the battle.

Village lore has always claimed that there was possibly a blacksmith's shop on the site [of Egge Cottage]. It was said to be the oldest building in Edge Hill and at the time of the Civil War it is claimed that horses were shod there prior to the Battle of Edge Hill [sic].

However, 16th century stone cottages are known to have existed in the village, or hamlet, making the basic premise of this tradition conceivable, but one contemporary account states the very Smiths hid themselves, that they might not be compell'd to shoe Horses, of which in those stony ways there was a great need [sic]

Adjacent and running northwards along and through this region of the wooded scarp, one set of modern authors have interpreted a pathway to be the escarpment's original route, but these wooded pathways were in fact created by Sanderson Miller in the mid-eighteenth century when he extended his estate further north above the town after the enclosure of Radway. This section - running from the road down past the rear of the cottage - was however originally part of an ancient route which led almost directly down to Radway and was eventually incorporated, by Miller, into his shanty ruins and tower complex as a grand entrance to his estate from the hill top.

Battle historography curiosity (Trad)

George Salmon of Long Itchington and friend of Radway's Sanderson Miller was the cartographer of Radway Field's 1756 enclosure map. Within it he was clearly influenced by Henry Beighton's 1728 map when he reproduced Beighton's battle interpretation within a decorative cartouche in the footer of his document. While Beighton included some approximate locations of places supposedly relating to the battle, Salmon's much larger scale document committed to placing details more exactly.

As a curiosity (reflecting beliefs of the time) at this spot Salmon pitches Beighton's tent for the young Prince Charles, who along with his brother was present at the battle. (Confusingly, within the actual map Salmon labels the tent's location as 'King Charles Tent', but elsewhere - as like Beighton - describes the battle between Parliament and Ch:1st, and then labels the tent as 'Tent of Ch:2nd and K⋅James'. i.e. the brothers Charles the 2nd and King James). Beighton appears to position his tent close by but on the Banbury road behind the Royalist forces.

Mr [Sanderson] Miller has again been with me […] He mentions with what reluctance he left a surveyor at Radway, employed in taking plans of the field of battle near Edgehill. This he purposes to enrich with a number of anecdotes, gleaned from his neighbourhood; which must probably render it extremely entertaining, and surely Edgehill fight was never more unfortunate to the nation, than it was lucky for Mr. Miller!

Our modern and detailed understanding of events now establishes any such tent as extremely unlikely if nonsensical, but again highlights the local attention once given to this small area for having royal connections with the battle. This detail provided by Salmon may cast concerns over the accuracy of other battle related references in his document.

Langdon Lane

As an established track providing a shortcut for carriages and wagons from the newer end of Radway to the Banbury road in the direction of Kineton, Langdon Lane is clearly established by the mid 18th century, but it remains only probable that a rough route existed during the battle.

The length of the lane traverses across the routes three broken brigades of Royalist infantry would have taken as they ran back towards Edgehill. Archaeological evidence also suggests where some had been pursued by horse mounted Parliamentarians and a musketeer's powder box cap was also found towards the centre of the modern field - possibly next to an ancient hedge - to the west of this marker.

View the 'Archaeological Finds' layer to reveal traces of archaeology, including pistol fire presumably from Parliamentarian cavalry, behind the lines of Royalist infantry, as the battle continued.

Grave

Contrary to many researchers' best efforts there remains considerable confusion as to the amount or actual locations of battle related grave sites at Edgehill.

This is the approximate spot suggested as a possible grave site by G.Foard* founded from historic maps.

One source attributes this record specifically to Beighton (1767) but positions it within the eastern corner of the, sharp cornered, enclosure nearby, 150m to the west. This is the area approximately shown in a map by Henry Beighton, printed in his lifetime in 1728, with the label Gravis Chappel yard and shows five rectangular shapes; presumably graves. The location, from Beightons basic large scale map, could locate this feature westwards, adjacent to Little Kineton and almost anywhere within the modern sports grounds.

It remains unknown whether this yard has relations with the battle, as its thought that the Chapel stood within the village, but its proximity to the attack on the Parliamentarian baggage train may have provided an obvious burial site (for soldiers and civilians killed). Inexplicably Charles R.B Barrett may possibly be the only author - until very recently - to refer to these potential battle burials in his battlefields compendium of 1896. His description appears to fit the location and he provides a sketch from the perspective of the Battle Farm estate.

Far in the distance towards Kineton, in a small bush dotted field, those slain by Rupert in his cavalry charge and pursuit were buried.

* Conflict in the pre-industrial landscape of England: a resource assessment. G.Foard. 2008.

Red Road

The ancient lane commonly known as Red Road, but occasionally described as the Welsh Road or King John's Lane, cuts across the plain from Little Kineton and ascends the hill (as King John's Lane) to the south of Radway.

It has featured variously within secondary narratives and interpretations of the battle, but it remains almost certain that much of Parliament's army will have used it - particularly for moving heavy artillery - as it travels directly from their known camp to Bleadon Hill at the centre of the battlefield and where is now believed to be the centre of the Parliamentarian deployments. In part the perspective produced by its use, at its highest point, may even have influenced Essex's chosen locations.

The enemy drew down the hill, and we went into the field near Keinton. The best of our fieldpieces were planted upon our right wing […]

Its route - skirting the western edge of Graveground Coppice - survives within the 1947 aerial photography (available within the 'Terrains' overlays).

“Grange Lane”

An ancient path, or carriage track, led from the hilltop and down through, what are now, the Radway Grange grounds and is thought to have been made by the Monks of a small convalescent cell in the middle ages, which was based on the slope. The 18th century owner of Radway Grange landscaped the area and is thought to have possibly resurfaced the track, with the route still discernable amidst the grassed parkland today. After the track – which is still a public footpath within the modern wood – makes a sharp corner heading up towards Radway Tower, it is thought unlikely that horses could have used it beyond this point, but one author from the 1960s had argued its use by the king's heavy guns; which is now almost certainly incorrect while also unnecessary.

But it remains tempting to speculate that some soldiers may have recognised its convenience in the hours and days following the core battle.

King John's Lane

This hillside section and continuation of Red Road - still known here as King John's Lane - remains an active bridleway today and has occasionally been thought to have provided access to the battlefield for the Royalist left-wing in secondary narratives, such as Peter Young's 1967 publication. When considering the latest deployment interpretations this now appears improbable, but curiously the Rev George Miller - writing in 1896 - believes this section did not exist until after Radway's 1756 enclosure act? Although this is thought unlikely, the route does appear in maps made from around 1787 (William Yates & Sons), but does not appear in Henry Beighton's map of 1728. This may be the basis of Miller's claim, but if he was correct, it might explain why Prince Rupert descended at Sun Rising Hill (on the Tuesday) and not here.

Former Ratley Grange

Contrary to the impression often created, this area of the escarpment did feature a collection of stone buildings at the time of the battle. The village of Edge Hill was previously known as Ratley Grange, as the original Grange itself was an administrative centre (formerly owned by ecclesiastical monks at Stoneleigh) and once loosely occupied where the current Castle Inn public house car park now sits. Its significant stone structure was later utilized for shanty ruins by Sanderson Miller in the 18th century, and at least two 16th century stone cottages were also known to exist in this immediate area.

General region of Parliamentarian occupation

as it grew dark two Regiments at last made a stand; and having the Assistance of Cannon, and a Ditch before them, held us play very handsomely

Accounts relate that some of Parliament's army remained in the field in the region they had forced the Royalist army back to during the battle. Modern interpretations concur that the Radway brook (and its ditch) created a natural dividing line for both sides towards the close of the battle.

The main body of the Parliamentarians also retired from the bleak plain to the "warmer quarter" of the Keinton [sic], but leaving a brigade of observation on the advance position which they had won on the eastern extremity of the battle.

Skeleton

Site of a skeleton discovered with the point of a sword penetrating its breast bone. Experts have estimated the date between 1540 and 1750.

The battle appears to have raged all along the line from thence [Bullet hill] to a point in the valley below […] where a skeleton was found a few years ago with the point of a sword sticking in the breast bone […] which was discovered when some drains were being laid just below the [Edge Hill] house

The likelihood that this discovery relates to the battle is reasonable, as fleeing soldiers scattered far and wide from the immediate battlefield, but it also raises the possibility that its unearthing encouraged some early interpretations of the battle lines stretching as far south as Sun Rising Hill.

This is the spot recorded by the Warwickshire HER which was informed by an Ordnance Survey Record Card from 1968 and a map included in 'Shakespeare's Land', but not for the first time the book's map(s) somewhat contradict the written description(s).

Gunby Cottage (Trad)

This is the setting for the tale of a proud baker standing guard outside his shop protecting his wears after the battle:

At the other end of the village stands a house called Gunby. Long ago this was a baker's shop. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that what was long ago a baker's shop has been altered and added to till it is now Gunby. It is said that the baker stood at the door of his shop with his sword drawn in his hand to defend his bread from the hungry soldiers on the day after the battle.

This folklore would contradict the ruthless manner with which the travelling armies could acquisition supplies, but the detail of setting the scene on the following day adds a modicum of curious plausibility.

Fleeing infantry attacked

Collections of musket, carbine and some pistol bullet battle archaeology have been found in this region, and could conceivably illustrate where cavalry charges, led by Royalist Sir Charles Lucas (and Captain John Smith), were directed — as well as where Royalist Horse troops may have caught up with men escaping the scene.

Contemporary accounts and archaeology may indicate that this area - which was described as moore in 1701 - was one region where much of Parliament's leftmost infantry regiments fled to - channelled by the hillside to the south - after and during the initial Royalist cavalry attack upon Parliament's left-wing.

Bullets fired as hail-shot from cannon have also been recovered here and its thought that these may relate to accounts of Royalist overshots during the earlier stages. This may also explain the traditional accounts of numerous 'bullets' found in Lower Bleadon Field (adjacent to the south east) and demonstrate a trajectory over the shallow basin/valley of Parliament's infantry positions on their left (as located in the 2009 interpretation).

Use the 'Archaeological Finds' layer to reveal modern discoveries of battle archaeology.

Bell Tower Tale (Trad)

The 12th century church at Burton Dasset is the traditional location for the wild and fantastic folklore of Oliver Cromwell watching the battle from the bell tower and then descending by swinging from a bell-rope. Now known as nonsense, it is also understood that Cromwell was approaching the battlefield from the northwest while events were already unfolding and was involved with the engagements with Royalist cavalry pursuing their enemy beyond Kineton.

Regrettably, this 'fairytale' originated from the early historian Sir William Dugdale who is believed to have written the 17th century volume 'A short View of the late Troubles in England'. (People watching battles from bell towers were a common and long established tradition repeated through traditions related to other battlefields).

The chapel - restored in 1632 - is however the setting for vandalism by Parliamentarian troops not long after the battle.

Warmington graves

At Warmington there are several burials and graves of men who fought for the king at Edgehill.

When approaching the south porch of Warmington's Parish Church from the road, on the right of the path is a simple headstone of a scottish Royalist soldier who died of his wounds from the battle.*

Between the south porch and the gate "Here lieth the body of Alexander Gourdin, capitaine, buried the 25 day of October, Ano Domini 1642". [sic]

The monument […] is an unusual survival, because it is a free standing gravestone. […] such monuments from the Civil War are so rare.

The local register also records the churchyard as being the final resting place of Richard Sannes, who was Captaine of a Foote companie, a gentleman of Worcestershire buried on the 24th. The records continue:

Seven others were buried in Warmington Churchyard shortly after, whose names I know not; and it is reported that one or two more were buried within the fields and precincts of Warmington aforesaid.

The field mentioned in this extract is on the hillside east of the Church. The winde was a cart road that twisted up the hillside. In the year 1850 a skeleton of a man was found and re-intered in the Churchyard.

* One of the smaller headstones, set back beyond the main first row, with a clear uninterrupted route from the path and standing almost in isolation.

Saddledon Street (Trad)

A street name originating from tales related to the saddling of horses by Parliamentary troops as they made their way through the village: Tradition records this lane as the location for the story of soldiers stopping for refreshment.

The soldiers having got a supply of bread, rode on till they came to a little lane, where there was a farmhouse with a yard in front of it. Here they unsaddled their horses, and proceeded to make a meal, washing down the new bread with beer and cider which they obtained from the farmhouse. Having rested and refreshed themselves, they resaddled their horses - the lane has ever since been called Saddling Street - and proceeded to join the King.

Tysoe was billeted by Parliamentary troops the night before, and in the days following the battle are recorded to have abused the hospitality of Giles Eliot, the Tysoe alehousekeeper.

Further afield at Little Wolford's 15th century manor house a 1930s restoration was careful to preserve the bloodstained stairs reputed to derive from the battle.

Unknown hills

A Parliamentarian Chaplain is said to have spotted the Royalists from a hill and authors occasionally wonder about which hill a body of Parlimentarian forces arriving at the scene during the battle was originally positioned upon before falling back and joining Hampden on the Warwick road.

But this raised ground (which stretches across to Red road), when combined with the steady climb from the main Parliamentarian camp at Little Kineton, could be a contender for the hill that Adoniram Bifield - Chaplain to Cholmley's regiment - first spotted Rupert's cavalry upon Edgehill early that morning. He rode back with the news:

[…] it pleased God [to make him] the first Instrument of giving a certain discovery of it, by the help of a prospective glass from the top of a Hill

Battle archaeology

The 2004-7 systematic metal detection survey of the battlefield produced results and patterning which suggests a core pattern of bullets running in a north-west to south-east orientation (from the lower ground to the west of this marker, south-eastwards, across what is now Graveground Coppice and towards the modern munitions bunkers); representing the main infantry clash.

The Royalist infantry marched towards the stationary positions of Parliament. Essex's forces fired their artillery guns at the Royalists as they approached, while its also thought that the king's infantry moved their smaller field guns forwards as they advanced. Through this vicinity (to the east and west) bullets fired as hail-shot from cannon have also been recovered.

Thus one might expect the musket firing at Edgehill to have generally occurred when the enemy had closed to around 50m and to have been at or near point blank. Indeed, for Ramsay's cavalry wing a distance of about 40 yards (37m) is specified [by contemporary accounts from the battle].

It's been suggested that bullets recovered from the shallow valley to the west (of this marker) may also indicate Parliamentarian reserves engaged with Gerard's brigade. The region of no or thin archaeology immediately to the north and north-east of this marker is also interpreted as potentially the route taken by Gerard's brigade as they retreated east towards the Radway brook.

View the 'Archaeological Finds' dynamic layer.

Royalists assemble in a meadow

Captain Nathaniel Fiennes - a participant of the battle - states twice that the Royalist army placed themselves in a fair Meadow and at the foot of the hill after he describes how most of their horse drew down on their right hand.

Various place names for this vicinity clearly captured in the 1756 pre-enclosure map for Radway field establish an extensive region of broad meadow which corroborates with the contemporary descriptions of the battle from the previous century. This general region is almost certainly the area where the Royalist army first assembled - having first descended the hill - and before formally deploying.

the meadowing pastures with the green mantles [are] so embroidered with flowers that from Edgehill we might behold another Eden

Musketeers take cover

Interpretations of archaeology across the battlefield have produced many considered insights for interpreting weaponry use and action across the battlefield, but one modest and isolated find (here) literally bares the markings of a small piece of human narrative.

[…] one ball of musket calibre which had been removed from the gun barrel using a worm [being a corkscrew type device for removing items from the bore]. This indicates where one musketeer stood - adjacent to a small section of ancient hedge - but it is unclear whether this was the first stage of the battle, when fighting was for control of the hedgerows, or much later, when this area probably lay well beyond the main action.

Archaeologist Glenn Foard also tentatively suggests that other bullets retrieved from along hedgerows on this northern periphery of the battlefield (including those to the west and east of this marker) might perhaps represent cavalry action against musketeers who had fled to the hedgerows.

View the 'Historic Terrain 1642' overlay, and the 'Archaeological Finds' layer.

Saker fire

In this wider region, archaeology identified as hail-shot was recovered as part of the 2004-7 survey.

In the critical moments immediately prior to the two bodies [of opposing armies] closing to hand to hand fighting, a saker [medium sized cannon] firing a single case [of case-shot] could deliver firepower equivalent to about 130 musketeers. […] Used in this way, it was standard practice for armies to employ 'case shot to break the front of an enemy'. Though galloping guns could be moved forward with advancing battalions, it was the army taking a defensive posture [Parliament at Edgehill] which was most easily placed to employ hail-shot to best effect. […]
For Edgehill hail-shot, with a mass of 30-38g, a maximum range of circa 150 — 200m might be expected, but with the most effective range probably half that. This is important information when considering the likely position of the attacking force when the hail-shot was fired.

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The King on Monday

There is a contemporary report that indicates the king spent the Monday - following the main battle the previous day - around 5 miles from the battlefield at Hanwell House. A direct route would have been provided by, what are now, the modern B4086 and B4100 roads.

The King all the time of the fight [seemingly referring to military actions on the Monday] was at Sir Edward Copes house at Hanwell.

Now more commonly known as Hanwell Castle, the king (Charles I) is believed to have previously been entertained here prior to the war.

A separate document also indicates the king headed further from the battlefield during the Monday to around this distance:

[…] he [the king] dined the next day [after the main battle] upon a drum head and stayed within 4 miles till the dead were buried.

King Charles Road (Site of)

This location represents where a track known as the "King Charles Road" once took a direct route to King's Leys Barn. Some local tradition celebrates the King's carriage making its way down this track, having been sent for from near Knowle-end (on the hill), for the King to pass the night in and within the vicinity of the barn. But the popular folklore of the King spending the night on the battlefield remains incorrect.

Views west also survey the general start of the old open field and area described as meadow in contemporary accounts.

Click and drag the orange Street View 'Pegman' to the marker's location and then look west

Contradictory topography?

Here, three of the best known deployment conjectures (which are available as dynamic overlays within this website) position the Parliamentarian left cavalry, but can this and would this subtlest of mild inclines be described as charging uphill, as famously described by Lord Bernard Stuart:

They [the Parliamentarian left-wing] stood still all the while upon the hill expecting the charge so that we were fain to charge them uphill

The slightly elevated rise and subtle land ripple, used by the parish boundary, is just about evident on the eastern side of the field as the land disappears under the boundary hedgerow.

Check for yourself by using Google's Street View. Click and drag the orange Street View 'Pegman' - from the left side of the screen - to this position on the road and then look south across the field. You can move along the road for alternate views.

Flat terrain

Looking south, down the Yardley Chase Road, and surveying the broader landscape using the elevated position afforded by Google's Street View, provides a clear impression of the level nature of the terrain in this area of the battlefield. There is the subtlest of mild rises in ground level from east to west, which is arguably difficult to notice or describe as uphill? This could - when compared with contemporary accounts - challenge many traditional battle deployment conjectures for Parliament's left-wing positions.

Rising ground becomes obviously evident to the west of this scene (in the next field to "your right"). The slopes face northeast. Views from the roadside of Nibsbury field (opposite the roadside battle monument, northwest of this junction) also reveal falling gradient, which should be combined with the rising ground on the south side of the B4086.

Click and drag the orange Street View 'Pegman' to this position on the road. Click and 'grab' the screen/view to rotate the scene and to pivot the view left and right.