Clifton Moor Skirmish
Encyclopedia
The Clifton Moor Skirmish took place between forces of the British Hanover
ian government and Jacobite
rebels on 19 December 1745. Since the commander of the British forces, the Duke of Cumberland
, was aware of the Jacobite presence in Derby
, the Jacobite leader Prince Charles Edward Stuart
decided to retreat north back towards Scotland
. Charles began his retreat from Derby on 6 December 1745. This was the last battle on English soil.
army stayed on the first night of retreat at the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire
. They reached the town of Leek
the following day. However, Leek being too small to accommodate the entire army, Elcho's and Pitsligo's horse and Ogilvy's
and Roy Stuart's regiments of foot, went to the town of Macclesfield
where they stayed the night. The remainder of the army which had stayed at Leek came to Macclesfield the next day and those who had stayed the night at Macclesfield went on to Stockport
. On the 9th both of the Jacobite divisions met on the road to Manchester
and entered the city as one body. The Jacobite army left Manchester on the 10th and reached Wigan
that night. The next day they reached Preston where they stayed until the 12th. James Drummond, the Duke of Perth, was dispatched with 100 horse to travel north and bring back reinforcements from Perth
. The Prince and his Jacobite army arrived in Lancaster
on the evening of the 13th. Charles
had decided to stay and fight at Lancaster. A survey of the surrounding ground at Lancaster was carried out by the Jacobite commanders Lord George Murray
and Cameron of Lochiel
. They found the ground suitable for their army to fight on; however, Murray had also received reports that a large body of General George Wade
's dragoons had entered Preston not long after they had left. Charles changed his mind and decided to continue with their march back north.
The government forces under Wade and the Duke of Cumberland
had not arrived in Macclesfield until the 10th of December, the day the Jacobites had arrived in Wigan. At Macclesfield the duke received intelligence that the Jacobites had left Manchester that day. Leaving Lancaster on the 15th, Charles' army was scarcely out of the town when some of the government horse entered it. The Jacobites formed in order of battle; but the alarm turning out to be false, the army continued its march to Kendal
The British horse followed for two or three miles, and appeared frequently in small parties, but attempted nothing. The Jacobite army entered Kendal that night, where they were met by the Duke of Perth and his party. On his way north, the duke had been attacked in this town by a mob, which he soon dispersed by firing on them; but in the neighbourhood of Penrith
he met with a more serious obstruction, having been attacked by a considerable body of militia, both horse and foot, and being vastly outnumbered, was obliged to retreat to Kendal.
On the advice of Murray the Jacobite army then marched to the village of Shap
where they passed the night from the 16th-17th. On the 17th, on orders from Charles, the Jacobite army marched to the village of Clifton
.
, but it was believed that these were militia and the information was treated lightly. On the 18th a body of between 200 and 300 horse of the Duke of Cumberland's forces formed in front of the rear-guard to make a stand. The government party was observed marching two and two abreast on the top of the hill. They disappeared to form themselves in order of battle behind the eminence, and made a great noise with trumpets and kettledrums. At this time two of the companies of Roy Stuart's regiment, which the Duke of Perth had attached to the artillery, were at the head of the column. The guns and ammunition wagons followed, behind the two other companies of the same regiment. The Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry
regiment, which marched with Lord George Murray at its head, was in the rear of the column. Believing, from the great number of trumpets and kettle-drums, that the British army was at hand, the Jacobites remained stationary for a short time.
It was the opinion of Colonel Brown, an officer of Lally's regiment, who was at the head of the column, that they should attack their enemy sword in hand, and either open a passage to the army at Penrith, or perish in the attempt. Adopting this opinion, men of the four companies immediately ran up the hill, without informing Lord George Murray. Murray, observing this movement, immediately ordered the MacDonnell of Glengarry men to proceed across the enclosure and ascend the hill from another quarter, as they could not conveniently pass the wagons which had almost blocked up the roads. The Glengarry men reached the summit of the hill almost as soon as the head of the other column. Both parties were surprised to find the only enemy in view was the light horse they had observed a few minutes before, and who, alarmed at the appearance of the Jacobites, galloped off in disorder. One of them fell from his horse, and was cut to pieces in an instant by the Jacobites.
The rear-guard resumed its march, and on reaching the village of Clifton
, Lord George Murray sent the artillery and heavy baggage forward to Penrith
under a small escort. Being well acquainted with all the enclosures and parks about Lowther Hall, the seat of Lord Lonsdale
, about the distance of a mile from Clifton, Lord George Murray, at the head of the Glengarry regiment and some horse, examined these parks and enclosures in the hope of attacking the English light horse. Although he saw several of them, he only succeeded in taking two prisoners. These prisoners informed Murray that the Duke of Cumberland himself, with a body of 4,000 horse, was about a mile behind him. As Clifton was a very good post, Murray resolved to remain there. On his return to the village, he sent Colonel Roy Stuart with the two prisoners to Penrith, to inform Prince Charles of the approach of the duke, and that he would remain at Clifton until further orders. In the event of the prince approving of his intention of making a stand at Clifton, his lordship requested that 1,000 men might be sent him from Penrith. On returning to Clifton from Lowther parks, Murray found the Duke of Perth there as well as Colonel Roy Stuart's men, amounting to about 200. He also found the Clan Macpherson
with their chief, Cluny Macpherson, and the Stewarts of Appin, headed by Stewart of Ardshiel.
Within the enclosures to the west of the highway he posted the Glengarry men, and within those to the east he placed the Stewarts of Appin and the Macphersons. On the side of the highway and close to the village of Clifton, he placed Colonel John Roy Stuart's regiment. As some ditches at the foot stretched further towards the moor on the west than on the east, and as that part was also covered by Lord Lonsdale's other enclosures, the party on the west could not easily be attacked. This advantage meant that they could enfilade the enemy with fire when they attacked the east.
Lord George Murray went to the west, where the Macdonnell of Glengarry men were posted, and ordered them, as soon as they should observe him advance on the other side, to move also forward and keep up a smart fire until they came to the lowest ditch. He observed that if they succeeded in dislodging the enemy from the hedges and ditches, they could give them a flank fire within pistol-shot, but he gave them particular orders not to fire across the highway or to follow the enemy up the moor. After speaking with every officer of the Glengarry regiment, Murray returned to the east and placed himself at the head of the Macphersons. It was now about an hour after sunset, and the night was somewhat cloudy; but at short intervals the moon, which was in its second quarter, broke through and afforded considerable light. The Jacobites had to their advantage, that whilst they could see the disposition of the enemy, their own movements could not be observed.
The Stewarts and Macphersons marched forward at the word of command, as did the Macdonalds and MacDonnells on the west. The men on the west kept firing as they advanced, but the Macphersons, who were on the east, soon came into contact with the English dragoons and received the whole of their fire. Murray drew his sword and cried out, "Claymore!", and Cluny Macpherson doing the same, the Macphersons
rushed down to the bottom ditch of the enclosure. Clearing the diagonal hedges as they went, they fell sword in hand upon the enemy, of whom a considerable number were killed at the lower ditch. The rest retreated across the moor, but received in their flight the fire of the MacDonnell of Glengarry regiment.
Ten Government dragoons were killed and four of their officers wounded. One British dragoon is recorded as dying in Clifton several weeks later, presumably of wounds received in the battle. The dragoons killed in the battle are buried in St Cuthbert's churchyard. Near the churchyard gate is a stone commemorating the skirmish. http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Town_or_Village/location.php?url=clifton
The only prisoner taken on this occasion was a footman of the Duke of Cumberland. This man was sent back to his royal highness by Charles.
A skeleton wearing tartan, found in the 1920s near Stanhope
, is believed to have been a Jacobite casualty of the skirmish, though this is uncertain. http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/k2p.nsf/k2pGlossaryList?readform&letter=1
on English soil, as different historians have used different definitions for what constitutes a battle. If Clifton Moor was a "skirmish" and not a battle, and if the Battle of Preston
, fought during Jacobite Rising of 1715
, was a siege and not a battle, then the last pitched battle
on English soil was the battle of Sedgemoor
fought in 1685, which was the decisive battle in Monmouth Rebellion
. However either of the former, or possibly the Battle of Bossenden Wood
(1838
), can also be considered the last battle, depending on how a battle is defined. There is also, of course, a certain semanticism in the expression "last battle on English soil", for it specifically excludes the subsequent Second World War air battles over English soil, particularly the Battle of Britain
(10 July to 31 October 1940) which was fought in the skies over Kent
and the winter blitz of 1940-1941 which is sometimes called the Battle of London. The claim to be the most recent battle site in England, for what were relatively small armed confrontations, is useful for promoting tourism at the locations.
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
ian government and Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
rebels on 19 December 1745. Since the commander of the British forces, the Duke of Cumberland
Duke of Cumberland
Duke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British Royal Family, named after the county of Cumberland.-History:...
, was aware of the Jacobite presence in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, the Jacobite leader Prince Charles Edward Stuart
Charles Edward Stuart
Prince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain , and Ireland...
decided to retreat north back towards Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. Charles began his retreat from Derby on 6 December 1745. This was the last battle on English soil.
Retreat from England
The JacobiteJacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
army stayed on the first night of retreat at the town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Ashbourne is a small market town in the Derbyshire Dales, England. It has a population of 10,302.The town advertises itself as 'The Gateway to Dovedale'.- Local customs :...
. They reached the town of Leek
Leek, Staffordshire
Leek is a market town in the county of Staffordshire, England, on the River Churnet. It is an ancient borough and was granted its royal charter in 1214.It is the administrative centre for the Staffordshire Moorlands District Council...
the following day. However, Leek being too small to accommodate the entire army, Elcho's and Pitsligo's horse and Ogilvy's
Clan Ogilvy
-Origins of the clan:The Ogilvys are one of the most distinguished families in Scotland and take their name from Gillebride the second son of Gille Chriosd, Celtic Earl of Angus...
and Roy Stuart's regiments of foot, went to the town of Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
where they stayed the night. The remainder of the army which had stayed at Leek came to Macclesfield the next day and those who had stayed the night at Macclesfield went on to Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
. On the 9th both of the Jacobite divisions met on the road to Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and entered the city as one body. The Jacobite army left Manchester on the 10th and reached Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
that night. The next day they reached Preston where they stayed until the 12th. James Drummond, the Duke of Perth, was dispatched with 100 horse to travel north and bring back reinforcements from Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
. The Prince and his Jacobite army arrived in Lancaster
Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster is the county town of Lancashire, England. It is situated on the River Lune and has a population of 45,952. Lancaster is a constituent settlement of the wider City of Lancaster, local government district which has a population of 133,914 and encompasses several outlying towns, including...
on the evening of the 13th. Charles
Charles Edward Stuart
Prince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain , and Ireland...
had decided to stay and fight at Lancaster. A survey of the surrounding ground at Lancaster was carried out by the Jacobite commanders Lord George Murray
Lord George Murray (general)
Lord George Murray was a Scottish Jacobite general, most noted for his 1745 campaign under Bonnie Prince Charlie into England...
and Cameron of Lochiel
Donald Cameron of Lochiel
Donald Cameron of Lochiel , was an influential Highland Clan Chief known for his magnanimous and gallant nature. His support of Charles Edward Stuart was instrumental in the Jacobite Rising of 1745...
. They found the ground suitable for their army to fight on; however, Murray had also received reports that a large body of General George Wade
George Wade
Field Marshal George Wade served as a British military commander and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.-Early career:Wade, born in Kilavally, Westmeath in Ireland, was commissioned into the Earl of Bath's Regiment in 1690 and served in Flanders in 1692, during the Nine Years War, earning a...
's dragoons had entered Preston not long after they had left. Charles changed his mind and decided to continue with their march back north.
The government forces under Wade and the Duke of Cumberland
Duke of Cumberland
Duke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British Royal Family, named after the county of Cumberland.-History:...
had not arrived in Macclesfield until the 10th of December, the day the Jacobites had arrived in Wigan. At Macclesfield the duke received intelligence that the Jacobites had left Manchester that day. Leaving Lancaster on the 15th, Charles' army was scarcely out of the town when some of the government horse entered it. The Jacobites formed in order of battle; but the alarm turning out to be false, the army continued its march to Kendal
Kendal
Kendal, anciently known as Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish within the South Lakeland District of Cumbria, England...
The British horse followed for two or three miles, and appeared frequently in small parties, but attempted nothing. The Jacobite army entered Kendal that night, where they were met by the Duke of Perth and his party. On his way north, the duke had been attacked in this town by a mob, which he soon dispersed by firing on them; but in the neighbourhood of Penrith
Penrith, Cumbria
Penrith was an urban district between 1894 and 1974, when it was merged into Eden District.The authority's area was coterminous with the civil parish of Penrith although when the council was abolished Penrith became an unparished area....
he met with a more serious obstruction, having been attacked by a considerable body of militia, both horse and foot, and being vastly outnumbered, was obliged to retreat to Kendal.
On the advice of Murray the Jacobite army then marched to the village of Shap
Shap
Shap is a linear village and civil parish located amongst fells and isolated dales in Eden district, Cumbria, England. The village lies along the A6 road and the West Coast Main Line, and is near to the M6 motorway...
where they passed the night from the 16th-17th. On the 17th, on orders from Charles, the Jacobite army marched to the village of Clifton
Clifton, Cumbria
Clifton is a small linear village and civil parish south east of Penrith in Cumbria, England.-History and geography:The civil parish of Clifton has its western boundary defined by the River Lowther, to the north and east lie the civil parishes of Brougham and Great Strickland, to the south is the...
.
Arrival at Clifton
On the morning of the 18th the Jacobite rearguard left Shap. It had not proceeded far when some parties of English light horse were seen in the distance on the eminences behind the rear-guard. Lord George Murray notified the circumstances to Charles at PenrithPenrith, Cumbria
Penrith was an urban district between 1894 and 1974, when it was merged into Eden District.The authority's area was coterminous with the civil parish of Penrith although when the council was abolished Penrith became an unparished area....
, but it was believed that these were militia and the information was treated lightly. On the 18th a body of between 200 and 300 horse of the Duke of Cumberland's forces formed in front of the rear-guard to make a stand. The government party was observed marching two and two abreast on the top of the hill. They disappeared to form themselves in order of battle behind the eminence, and made a great noise with trumpets and kettledrums. At this time two of the companies of Roy Stuart's regiment, which the Duke of Perth had attached to the artillery, were at the head of the column. The guns and ammunition wagons followed, behind the two other companies of the same regiment. The Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry
Clan MacDonnell of Glengarry
Clan MacDonell of Glengarry is a branch of Clan Donald taking its name from Glen Garry where the river Garry runs eastwards through Loch Garry to join the Great Glen about 16 miles north of Fort William...
regiment, which marched with Lord George Murray at its head, was in the rear of the column. Believing, from the great number of trumpets and kettle-drums, that the British army was at hand, the Jacobites remained stationary for a short time.
It was the opinion of Colonel Brown, an officer of Lally's regiment, who was at the head of the column, that they should attack their enemy sword in hand, and either open a passage to the army at Penrith, or perish in the attempt. Adopting this opinion, men of the four companies immediately ran up the hill, without informing Lord George Murray. Murray, observing this movement, immediately ordered the MacDonnell of Glengarry men to proceed across the enclosure and ascend the hill from another quarter, as they could not conveniently pass the wagons which had almost blocked up the roads. The Glengarry men reached the summit of the hill almost as soon as the head of the other column. Both parties were surprised to find the only enemy in view was the light horse they had observed a few minutes before, and who, alarmed at the appearance of the Jacobites, galloped off in disorder. One of them fell from his horse, and was cut to pieces in an instant by the Jacobites.
The rear-guard resumed its march, and on reaching the village of Clifton
Clifton, Cumbria
Clifton is a small linear village and civil parish south east of Penrith in Cumbria, England.-History and geography:The civil parish of Clifton has its western boundary defined by the River Lowther, to the north and east lie the civil parishes of Brougham and Great Strickland, to the south is the...
, Lord George Murray sent the artillery and heavy baggage forward to Penrith
Penrith, Cumbria
Penrith was an urban district between 1894 and 1974, when it was merged into Eden District.The authority's area was coterminous with the civil parish of Penrith although when the council was abolished Penrith became an unparished area....
under a small escort. Being well acquainted with all the enclosures and parks about Lowther Hall, the seat of Lord Lonsdale
Henry Lowther, 3rd Viscount Lonsdale
Henry Lowther, 3rd Viscount Lonsdale PC FRS was an English courtier and landowner.He succeeded to the Viscountcy in 1713, upon the death of his elder brother, Richard Lowther, 2nd Viscount Lonsdale...
, about the distance of a mile from Clifton, Lord George Murray, at the head of the Glengarry regiment and some horse, examined these parks and enclosures in the hope of attacking the English light horse. Although he saw several of them, he only succeeded in taking two prisoners. These prisoners informed Murray that the Duke of Cumberland himself, with a body of 4,000 horse, was about a mile behind him. As Clifton was a very good post, Murray resolved to remain there. On his return to the village, he sent Colonel Roy Stuart with the two prisoners to Penrith, to inform Prince Charles of the approach of the duke, and that he would remain at Clifton until further orders. In the event of the prince approving of his intention of making a stand at Clifton, his lordship requested that 1,000 men might be sent him from Penrith. On returning to Clifton from Lowther parks, Murray found the Duke of Perth there as well as Colonel Roy Stuart's men, amounting to about 200. He also found the Clan Macpherson
Clan Macpherson
Clan Macpherson is a Highland Scottish clan from Badenoch, on the River Spey. It is a leading member of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...
with their chief, Cluny Macpherson, and the Stewarts of Appin, headed by Stewart of Ardshiel.
Within the enclosures to the west of the highway he posted the Glengarry men, and within those to the east he placed the Stewarts of Appin and the Macphersons. On the side of the highway and close to the village of Clifton, he placed Colonel John Roy Stuart's regiment. As some ditches at the foot stretched further towards the moor on the west than on the east, and as that part was also covered by Lord Lonsdale's other enclosures, the party on the west could not easily be attacked. This advantage meant that they could enfilade the enemy with fire when they attacked the east.
The Skirmish
About an hour after the Duke of Cumberland had formed his men, about 500 of his dragoons dismounted and advanced to the foot of the moor, in front of a ditch at the bottom of one of three small enclosures between the moor and the places where Roy Stuart's men were posted at the village. At this time, Colonel Stuart returned from Penrith, and, after informing Lord George that the prince had resolved to march immediately to Carlisle, and that he had sent forward his cannon, he stated that it was his royal highness's desire that the rearguard should immediately retreat to Penrith. From the situation in which Murray was now placed, it was impossible to obey this order without great danger. The dismounted dragoons were already firing upon the Jacobites. Lord George proposed to attack the dismounted enemy.Lord George Murray went to the west, where the Macdonnell of Glengarry men were posted, and ordered them, as soon as they should observe him advance on the other side, to move also forward and keep up a smart fire until they came to the lowest ditch. He observed that if they succeeded in dislodging the enemy from the hedges and ditches, they could give them a flank fire within pistol-shot, but he gave them particular orders not to fire across the highway or to follow the enemy up the moor. After speaking with every officer of the Glengarry regiment, Murray returned to the east and placed himself at the head of the Macphersons. It was now about an hour after sunset, and the night was somewhat cloudy; but at short intervals the moon, which was in its second quarter, broke through and afforded considerable light. The Jacobites had to their advantage, that whilst they could see the disposition of the enemy, their own movements could not be observed.
The Stewarts and Macphersons marched forward at the word of command, as did the Macdonalds and MacDonnells on the west. The men on the west kept firing as they advanced, but the Macphersons, who were on the east, soon came into contact with the English dragoons and received the whole of their fire. Murray drew his sword and cried out, "Claymore!", and Cluny Macpherson doing the same, the Macphersons
Clan Macpherson
Clan Macpherson is a Highland Scottish clan from Badenoch, on the River Spey. It is a leading member of the Chattan Confederation.-Origins:...
rushed down to the bottom ditch of the enclosure. Clearing the diagonal hedges as they went, they fell sword in hand upon the enemy, of whom a considerable number were killed at the lower ditch. The rest retreated across the moor, but received in their flight the fire of the MacDonnell of Glengarry regiment.
Aftermath
Twelve Jacobite soldiers were killed in the skirmish. The only Jacobite officer wounded was the Macdonald of Glengarry chief. Lord George Murray had several narrow escapes.Ten Government dragoons were killed and four of their officers wounded. One British dragoon is recorded as dying in Clifton several weeks later, presumably of wounds received in the battle. The dragoons killed in the battle are buried in St Cuthbert's churchyard. Near the churchyard gate is a stone commemorating the skirmish. http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Town_or_Village/location.php?url=clifton
The only prisoner taken on this occasion was a footman of the Duke of Cumberland. This man was sent back to his royal highness by Charles.
A skeleton wearing tartan, found in the 1920s near Stanhope
Stanhope
-Places:* Stanhope, Victoria, Australia* Stanhope, Prince Edward Island, Canada* Stanhope, Quebec, Canada* Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK* Stanhope, Kent, England, UK* Stanhope, Peeblesshire, Scotland, UK* Stanhope, Iowa, US* Stanhope, New Jersey, US...
, is believed to have been a Jacobite casualty of the skirmish, though this is uncertain. http://www.keystothepast.info/durhamcc/k2p.nsf/k2pGlossaryList?readform&letter=1
Most recent battle on English soil
There are at least three contenders for the claim to have been the last battleBattle
Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, or combatants. In a battle, each combatant will seek to defeat the others, with defeat determined by the conditions of a military campaign...
on English soil, as different historians have used different definitions for what constitutes a battle. If Clifton Moor was a "skirmish" and not a battle, and if the Battle of Preston
Battle of Preston (1715)
The Battle of Preston , also referred to as the Preston Fight, was fought during the Jacobite Rising of 1715 ....
, fought during Jacobite Rising of 1715
Jacobite Rising of 1715
The Jacobite rising of 1715, often referred to as The 'Fifteen, was the attempt by James Francis Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for the exiled House of Stuart.-Background:...
, was a siege and not a battle, then the last pitched battle
Pitched battle
A pitched battle is a battle where both sides choose to fight at a chosen location and time and where either side has the option to disengage either before the battle starts, or shortly after the first armed exchanges....
on English soil was the battle of Sedgemoor
Battle of Sedgemoor
The Battle of Sedgemoor was fought on 6 July 1685 and took place at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset, England.It was the final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion and followed a series of skirmishes around south west England between the forces of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and the...
fought in 1685, which was the decisive battle in Monmouth Rebellion
Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion,The Revolt of the West or The West Country rebellion of 1685, was an attempt to overthrow James II, who had become King of England, King of Scots and King of Ireland at the death of his elder brother Charles II on 6 February 1685. James II was a Roman Catholic, and some...
. However either of the former, or possibly the Battle of Bossenden Wood
Battle of Bossenden Wood
The Battle of Bossenden Wood, also known as the Battle of Bosenden Wood, took place on 31 May 1838 near Hernhill in Kent; it has been called the last battle on English soil....
(1838
1838 in the United Kingdom
Events from the year 1838 in the United Kingdom.-Incumbents:*Monarch — Queen Victoria*Prime Minister — Lord Melbourne, Whig-Events:* 10 January — A fire destroys Lloyd's Coffee House and the Royal Exchange in London....
), can also be considered the last battle, depending on how a battle is defined. There is also, of course, a certain semanticism in the expression "last battle on English soil", for it specifically excludes the subsequent Second World War air battles over English soil, particularly the Battle of Britain
Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain is the name given to the World War II air campaign waged by the German Air Force against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940...
(10 July to 31 October 1940) which was fought in the skies over Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
and the winter blitz of 1940-1941 which is sometimes called the Battle of London. The claim to be the most recent battle site in England, for what were relatively small armed confrontations, is useful for promoting tourism at the locations.
See also
- Duke of CumberlandDuke of CumberlandDuke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British Royal Family, named after the county of Cumberland.-History:...
- Charles Edward StuartCharles Edward StuartPrince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain , and Ireland...
- Jacobite Uprisings
- Clifton, CumbriaClifton, CumbriaClifton is a small linear village and civil parish south east of Penrith in Cumbria, England.-History and geography:The civil parish of Clifton has its western boundary defined by the River Lowther, to the north and east lie the civil parishes of Brougham and Great Strickland, to the south is the...