Alresford Saved
Alresford in the Civil War
The town of Alresford played a significant part in the battle of Cheriton. In the days leading up to the battle both armies played “cat and mouse” across the Hampshire Downs looking for a position of advantage. Whilst heading for Arundel, Lord Hopton, commanding the royalist army, realised that William Waller’s parliamentarians had cut his lines of communication to Basing House. Potentially disastrous, Hopton about-faced and headed north. A race to take possession of the strategic town of Alresford ended with Hopton’s troops victorious by a whisker. Billeting his army in and around Alresford, concentrated on Tichbourne Down, Hopton felt confident about giving battle to the parliamentarians camped around Hinton Ampner.
On the 29th March 1644, the fateful battle of Cheriton was fought, ending in disaster and defeat for Hopton. Retreating to Basing House, his dispirited troops trudged through Alresford and the surrounding villages. Desperate to slow Waller’s pursuit, the rearguard actually set fire to several houses in Alresford, although these were extinguished by the parliamentarians before too much damage was done.
The Re-enactment
Alresford came alive to the sound of soldiers and civilians on Sunday 19th June as dozens of members of the Sealed Knot Society re-created the scenes from 1644. Hundreds of members of the public enjoyed the drill displays and had the opportunity to have-a-go themselves. The baggage train, comprised sutlers, families and suppliers to the royalist army including two cannons.
As news filtered back from the front-line that all was not going well, the royalist garrison stood to arms in the afternoon. A sharp skirmish ensued as marauding parliamentarians from the White Regiment, London Trained Bands attempted to plunder the baggage train. After a desperate defence, the garrison was overwhelmed with parliament emerging victorious.
