AN ACT OF WAR
The preserved foundations of Beverley Gate in the heart of the bustling shopping centre at Hull in East Yorkshire bear a
plaque which testifies to the first overt act of The Civil War on St. George’s Day in 1642.
A panel in the so called Plotting Room at Ye Olde
White Harte pub in Silver Street tells of the events of 23rd April, 1642 :
‘Whilst Sir John Hotham, the Governor
of Hull, was giving a dinner party he received an intimation from the King that
His Majesty, who was then only four miles from the town, deigned to dine with
him that day. The Governor, filled with surprise at the unexpected news,
retired to his private room (since called The Plotting Room) and sent for
Alderman Pelham, the M.P for the Borough. It was then resolved to close the
gates against the King and his followers and a message was dispatched to his
Majesty informing him of the decision.The soldiers were called to arms, the
bridge drawn up, the gates closed and the inhabitants confined to their houses.About
11 o’clock the King appeared at Beverley Gate but the Governor refused to allow
him to enter the walls. The King then
called upon the Mayor but that official fell upon his knees and swore that he
could not assist as the gates were guarded by soldiers. Whereupon the King, after much strong
discussion and proclaiming Hotham
a traitor, withdrew to Beverley.’
Ye Olde White Heart
The Plotting Parlour
THE LEVELLER'S
A poignant signature scratched on
the lead lining of the font in Burford Parish Church recalls an incident of
mutiny within Cromwell’s New Model Army.
It reads :
‘ANTHONY SEDLEY
1649. PRISNER’
He was one of the supporters of
'The Levellers', a group of radicals who were crushed by Cromwell. On May Day 1649 the army had reached
Salisbury on its way to Ireland when eight soldiers refused to go any further
until their complaints were satisfied.
They wanted a levelling of the ranks within the army and an end to
Cromwell’s campaign in Ireland, as well as the considerable back pay owed to
them. Several hundred troops ended up
deserting, eventually meeting up with more comrades in Banbury. The upshot was that they were defeated by
loyal troops and imprisoned in Burford Church, the only building in the area
big enough to contain them. Three of
their leaders were court martialled on the spot and sentenced to death. On the morning of 17th May the
majority were taken up onto the church roof so that they could watch whilst
Cornet Thompson, Corporal Church and Private Perkins were put against the
church wall and shot.
Burford Church
ROYALIST SURVIVOR'S
In 1664, Royalist Sir William Ingilby of Ripley Castle had raised a
troop of horsemen from the Ripley district and had joined the King’s army in
the battle. Sir William was also accompanied by his sister who was known as
'Trooper Jane' and disguised as a man she wore a full suit of armour. The
Ingilby’s had managed to escape back to Ripley and must have been most alarmed
when Cromwell arrived at their gate demanding admission. Jane quickly hid her
brother in a secret priest’s hideaway in the castle and then admitted Cromwell who
insisted on staying overnight in the castle. Jane granted his wish on the
understanding that she would remain armed with two pistols and Cromwell was
allowed to sleep in the castle library with Jane standing guard.
Ripley Castle |
The bullet marks |
Before he left Ripley, Cromwell is said to have had a carved
inscription added to the church memorial and tomb of a former Sir William
Ingilby which can still be seen today. It reads:
‘NO POMPE, NOR PRIDE
LET GOD BE HONORED'
degenerating the rhyming inscription on the memorial praising Sir
William.
Sir Richard Graham of Norton Conyers Hall near Ripon in North Yorkshire also fought for the King at the Civil War Battle of Marston Moor. Graham was wounded in the battle but his horse returned him safely home and even tried to take Sir Richard up the stairs to his bed chamber. A scorched hoof print is still visible on a landing at Norton Conyers.
No comments:
Post a Comment