Royalist forces led by
Henry Wilmot and John
Byron encountered William Waller
and his Parliamentary army at Roundway Down, near Devizes, on 13th
July, 1643. Arthur Haselrig, commander
of Parliamentary forces on the right, made the first charge but it
was easily repelled by Wilmot's men. Waller now attacked but failed
to make any headway against the Royalist forces. Wilmot and Byron
now counter attacked and the Roundheads
were forced to flee. The battle at Roundway Down resulted in Parliament
losing 1,500 soldiers and established that Charles
II had full control
over the West Country.
(1)
Richard Atkins, was a Captain in the Royalist army. On 13 July, 1643,
he took part in the Royalist victory at Roundway Down. In this extract
Atkins describes trying to kill General Arthur
Haselrig, the leader of the parliamentary
army at Roundway Down.
It was
my fortune to charge Sir Arthur Hesilrige... He discharged his carbine
first but at a distance not to hurt us... I then... discharged mine;
I'm sure I hit him, for he staggered and wheeled off from his party
and ran... I pursued him... and in six score yards I came up to him,
and discharged the other pistol at him, and I am sure I hit his head...
but he was too well armed all over for a pistol bullet to do him any
hurt, having a coat of mail over his arms and a headpiece that was
musket proof... I employed myself in killing his horse, and cut him
in several places... the horse began to faint with bleeding, and Sir
Arthur fell off. Then a group of troopers... charged and rescued him.
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