Battle of Braddock Down
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Braddock Down was a battle of the south-western campaign of the First English Civil War
. It was fought on open ground in Cornwall
, on 19 January 1643. An apparently easy victory for the Royalists
under Sir Ralph Hopton secured Cornwall for King Charles
and confirmed Hopton's reputation.
ships had sought refuge from a storm at Falmouth
and been captured, enabling the Royalists to replenish their stores.
Sir Ralph Hopton's Royalist forces had been camped the night before at Boconnoc
. On breaking camp, their dragoon vanguard encountered enemy cavalry to the east, and discovered the Parliamentarian army deployed on Braddock
Down. The Parliamentarian commander, Colonel Ruthven, had been unwilling to wait for reinforcements under the Earl of Stamford to arrive and had marched to face the Royalists.
to charge. The defending Parliamentarians fired just one volley at the Cornish, causing two casualties, then turned and fled. The defeated Parliamentarians reached Liskeard
, where the townsfolk turned on them.
First English Civil War
The First English Civil War began the series of three wars known as the English Civil War . "The English Civil War" was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations that took place between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1651, and includes the Second English Civil War and...
. It was fought on open ground in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, on 19 January 1643. An apparently easy victory for the Royalists
Cavalier
Cavalier was the name used by Parliamentarians for a Royalist supporter of King Charles I and son Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration...
under Sir Ralph Hopton secured Cornwall for King Charles
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
and confirmed Hopton's reputation.
Prelude
On 17 January, three ParliamentarianRoundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
ships had sought refuge from a storm at Falmouth
Falmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
and been captured, enabling the Royalists to replenish their stores.
Sir Ralph Hopton's Royalist forces had been camped the night before at Boconnoc
Boconnoc
Boconnoc is a civil parish in Cornwall, United Kingdom, approximately four miles east of Lostwithiel. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 121.The parish is rural in character and is fairly well wooded...
. On breaking camp, their dragoon vanguard encountered enemy cavalry to the east, and discovered the Parliamentarian army deployed on Braddock
Braddock, Cornwall
Braddock is a village and a civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The village is situated about seven miles west of Liskeard, and five miles south-east of Bodmin....
Down. The Parliamentarian commander, Colonel Ruthven, had been unwilling to wait for reinforcements under the Earl of Stamford to arrive and had marched to face the Royalists.
The battle
Ruthven had more cavalry, but Hopton had more infantry and also two light cannon. These he kept concealed during the first two hours of the battle, which was largely a long-range musketry duel. After deciding to attack, Hopton ordered his Cornish foot under Sir Bevil GrenvilleBevil Grenville
Sir Bevil Grenville was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England between 1621 and 1642. He was a Royalist soldier in the English Civil War and was killed in action at the Battle of Lansdowne.-Backgound:...
to charge. The defending Parliamentarians fired just one volley at the Cornish, causing two casualties, then turned and fled. The defeated Parliamentarians reached Liskeard
Liskeard
Liskeard is an ancient stannary and market town and civil parish in south east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom.Liskeard is situated approximately 20 miles west of Plymouth, west of the River Tamar and the border with Devon, and 12 miles east of Bodmin...
, where the townsfolk turned on them.