Shropshire in the English Civil War facts for kids
The English Civil War was a big fight in England between King Charles I and Parliament. This article tells you about what happened during this war in Shropshire.
Contents
Why Shropshire Mattered in the War
When the English Civil War started, most people in Shropshire supported King Charles I. Out of 12 local politicians, eight chose to fight for the King, and only four for Parliament.
Shropshire was very important to the King. It was like a main road to Wales, where many people also supported him. It also helped him stay in touch with areas in the north-west and with Ireland through its ports. Parliament finally took control of Shropshire in 1646, when they captured the last place held by the King's army.
The First English Civil War: Shropshire's Story
1642: The King Arrives
Just a week after starting his army, King Charles I came to Shropshire. He arrived in Wellington on September 19.
On September 20, the King made a promise called the Wellington Declaration. He said he would protect the Protestant religion, the laws, and the rights of his people, as well as Parliament's powers. He also checked on his soldiers near the Wrekin hill. From Wellington, he went to Shrewsbury. There, his sons, Prince Charles and James, Duke of York, joined him. Many other important people also came. The King even set up a place to make coins in Shrewsbury. He stayed until October 12, then moved to Bridgnorth. From Bridgnorth, he marched to Edge Hill, where the very first big battle of the war happened.
1643: New Garrisons and Captures
In January, the King officially made Sir Francis Ottley the governor of Shrewsbury.
To fight against the King, Parliament supporters in Shropshire and nearby areas formed a group in April 1643.
In August, Parliament set up a military base in Wem. The King's forces, led by Lord Capel, tried to attack Wem. But a Parliament army from Chester arrived and forced them to leave.
On December 28, 1643, Tong Castle was captured by Parliament's soldiers.
1644: Battles and Changes
On March 13, 1644, Hopton Castle was captured by the Royalists (King's side). The Parliament commander, Colonel More, surrendered after a big attack. The Royalist commander, Sir Michael Woodhouse, decided not to spare most of the prisoners, and they were killed. However, Parliament's side believed that a deal had been made to save the soldiers' lives. This led to Parliament spreading stories that the Royalists had broken the rules of war.
On March 25, the Battle of Longford began. Colonel Thomas Mytton, leading 500 Parliament soldiers, stopped at Longford to rest. But Royalist forces, led by Sir William Vaughan and Colonel Robert Ellice, attacked them. After driving Mytton away, the Royalists surrounded a small group of Parliament soldiers hiding in Longford Hall. The Hall held out for a week before surrendering to the Royalists on April 2, 1644.
On April 6, Tong Castle was captured again, this time by the Royalists under Prince Rupert.
In June, the King was in Shrewsbury during a campaign that led to the Battle of Cropredy Bridge. In the same month, Oswestry was taken from the Royalists by the Earl of Denbigh. The people of Oswestry paid £500 to stop the Parliament soldiers from taking their belongings.
In July, Royalists under Colonel Marrowe surrounded Oswestry. But Sir Thomas Myddelton came to help. He rescued the town and captured Lord Newport's oldest son, Francis, and 200 soldiers.
By August, Prince Rupert replaced Sir Francis Ottley as the Royalist governor of Shrewsbury with Sir Fulke Hunckes. But Hunckes became unpopular, so he was replaced later that year by Sir Michael Earnley.
In early October, Sir William Vaughan, the Royalist governor of Shrawardine Castle, was captured. He tricked his captors and escaped back into the castle. By winter, Vaughan was made general of Shropshire.
1645: Parliament Gains Ground
In February, Apley House was taken by Parliament's forces. Sir William and Sir Thomas Whitmore, Sir Francis Ottley, and about 60 men were captured.
On February 23, Parliament's army surprised and captured Shrewsbury town. The Castle surrendered the next day. The Royalist governor, Sir Michael Earnley, was hurt in the attack and died in April. Parliament's Governor, Thomas Mytton, captured many cannons and soldiers. In the same month, Parliament also took Benthall Hall from the Royalists.
On June 10, a battle happened at Stokesay, near Ludlow. The Royalists lost, and Sir William Croft was killed by Parliament's soldiers. Stokesay Castle was captured. Caus Castle and Shrawardine also fell to Parliament that month.
On July 4 and 5, Sir William Vaughan won two important battles. This helped the Royalist soldiers who were surrounded at High Ercall Hall.
In late autumn, Oliver Cromwell arrived at Longford. The village was quickly taken, and Cromwell surrounded Longford Hall. The Royalist commander, Sir Bartholomew Pell, talked with Cromwell and got good terms for his surrender. The soldiers gave up their weapons but Pell and his officers could keep their horses, swords, and pistols. The soldiers were then taken towards Oxford.
1646: The War Ends in Shropshire
On March 28, the Royalist soldiers at High Ercall, led by Sir Vincent Corbet, surrendered. They were allowed to leave for Worcester, but without their weapons.
In April, after being surrounded for a month, the Royalist soldiers at Bridgnorth Castle surrendered to Parliament.
On July 9, the Royalist soldiers at Ludlow surrendered to Sir William Brereton.
1647: Re-garrisoning Shrewsbury
Because people were worried about the King's supporters rising up again, Parliament ordered Shrewsbury to have soldiers stationed there once more.
The Third English Civil War: Charles II's Escape
1651: The King on the Run
At 3 AM on September 4, King Charles II and the Earl of Derby arrived at White Ladies Priory. They were running away after losing the battle of Worcester. Charles cut his hair and dressed in clothes belonging to the Pendrill family who lived there. They took him to Boscobel House, where he hid during the night. During the day, he hid with Colonel Careless in a special tree called the Royal Oak.
Overnight from September 5 to 6, Charles and one of the Pendrills rode to Madeley Court. He hid in a barn there. The owner of the court, Francis Woolfe, told him not to cross the River Severn into Wales. From Boscobel, the five Pendrill brothers helped him get to Mr. Whitgrave's house at Moseley, in Staffordshire, on September 8.
After the War: The Interregnum
1651: A Sad End
On October 15, 1651, Captain John Benbow was shot on Shrewsbury Castle's green. He was captured after the Battle of Worcester. He was the uncle of the famous admiral, John Benbow.
1654: Failed Uprising
Sir Thomas Harries tried to start a Royalist uprising. He attempted to capture Shrewsbury Castle in a surprise attack, but he failed.
Images for kids
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Boscobel House, where Charles II hid.
