Battle of Gunnislake New Bridge

Battle of the First English Civil War

50°31′43″N 4°12′43″W / 50.52861°N 4.21194°W / 50.52861; -4.21194Result Royalist victoryBelligerents Royalists Kingdom of England ParliamentariansCommanders and leaders Sir Richard Grenville
Thomas Southcott Earl of Essex
William BalfourStrength ~ 2000 ~ 2500Casualties and losses 200 40
  • v
  • t
  • e
First English Civil War
1642

1643

1644

1645

1646

The Battle of Gunnislake New Bridge took place on 20 July 1644 on and around Gunnislake New Bridge, a bridge over the River Tamar between Cornwall and Devon, during the First English Civil War.

Background

During the Civil War the county of Cornwall was entirely loyal to King Charles I and the Royalist cause. However, Devon was Parliamentarian, making the River Tamar the site of many battles. Each side understood that if they were to either invade the other county or defend against invasion, they had to have control of the Tamar's crossings. Gunnislake New Bridge was one of four bridges crossing the River Tamar.[1]

Battle

The Parliamentarian forces, headed by Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, pushed into Cornwall over the bridge. They were met by Richard Grenville's forces, who were quartered at the garrisons of Cotehele House and Harewood House, Calstock. The battle was hard fought and lasted all day. The Royalists prevented the Parliamentarians from advancing further into Cornwall, at a cost of 200 casualties and many taken prisoner. The Parliamentarians lost about 40 men.[2][3][4]

Aftermath

After the battle both sides continued to defend their ends of the bridge. Lord Essex travelled north to Launceston, leaving half of his troops defending New Bridge. He then regrouped with his other forces based in the northern half of the Tamar Valley. On the 26th of July Essex crossed the Tamar at Horsebridge, penetrating the Royalist defences and continuing into the heart of Cornwall. This advance culminated in the Battle of Lostwithiel, a disastrous defeat for the Parliamentarians.

See also

References

  1. ^ Discovering the River Tamar, Chapter 7
  2. ^ Royal Institution of Cornwall English Civil War and Captain Southcote pg 32
  3. ^ Gunnislake history
  4. ^ Gunnislake New Bridge History

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gunnislake New Bridge.
  • v
  • t
  • e
Government
Unitary authority
Local government
Places
Villages
Hamlets and other
small settlements
School
Places of interest
Religious Buildings
Country Houses
Railway Stations
Valleys or Waterways
Mining
Transportation
Bus
Rail
Other
Other topics
Boat Building
Ships
Events