Battlefields Trust

Portsmouth and Harwich raided. 24 March 1338. On the same day the French raided the towns of Portsmouth and Harwich. Due to minimal defences both towns were severely damaged. Portchester Castle provided a limited defence for Portsmouth.

Great event yesterday commemorating the battle of Stow on the Wold 21 March 1646 organised by @StowCivicSoc and supported by @Sealed_Knot and St Edward's church Stow, including a well attended @battleftrust walk of the revised battlefield location. shorturl.at/kts4y.

Battle of Meretun. 22 March 871 On this day the forces of Wessex were defeated by the Vikings leaving both King Æthelred of Wessex and Heahmund, Bishop of Sherborn slain. King Alfred succeeded his brother as King of Wessex.

Battle of Stow-on-the-Wold. 21 March 1646 The last royalist field army under Jacob, Lord Astley was defeated by the parliamentarians under Colonel Thomas Morgan. This was the last major battle of the First Civil War of 1642-46.

Battle of Nibley Green. 20 March 1470 In the last ‘private’ battle in England, Viscount Lisle is slain in a battle against William, Lord Berkeley. The battle occurred over a disputed inheritance.

Thursday 26th March 2026, 8pm. Battlefields Trust Online Talk: The storming of Bristol 1645. Details at 'Events' in our bio.

Battle of Hopton Heath. 19 March 1643 A parliamentarian force attempting to capture Stafford was thwarted by a royalist force under the 2nd Earl of Northampton. The Earl was killed at the battle

16 March 1322. Battle of Boroughbridge Royalists under Sir Andrew de Harcla defeated a rebel army led by the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford at two river crossings. Harcla’s use of archers to repel Lancaster’s cavalry anticipated later English tactics in the Hundred Years War

1ST Battle of Middlewich. 13 March 1643 Sir William Brereton defeats a royalist force under Sir Thomas Aston at Middlewich, thereby securing most of Cheshire for the parliamentarian cause.

Siege of Hopton Castle. 25 Feb-13 March 1644 #OTD in 1644 the small garrison at Hopton Castle surrendered to the royalist Sir Michael Woodhouse. Except for Captain Samuel More all the defenders were massacred in one of the wars most notorious incidents.

Raid on Winchelsea. 15 March 1360 On this day the French raided Winchelsea. Although they destroyed the town, the French lost two ships and several hundred men.

Saturday 11th April 2026, 1:30pm Battle of Littledean 1643 Join Gregg Archer for the Mercia Region’s first exploration of the battle at Littledean which saw Sir William Waller’s army driven out of the village by Prince Maurice’s royalists Further details at 'Events' in our bio

Sunday 29th March 2026, 10am. Battle of Cheriton 1644 Joint Wessex Region chairman Chris Gravestock leads a walk around the battlefield of Cheriton. N.B. Please let Chris know in advance if you plan to attend. For further details see 'Events' in our bio.

7-10 March 1322. Battle of Burton Bridge Thomas of Lancaster’s rebel army prevents Edward II’s royal forces crossing the river Trent at Burton bridge, but retreats northwards once Edward crosses nearby and the size of the royal army becomes apparent.

Skirmish at Radway Field/Chadshunt. 5 March 1644 In 1644 #OTD a small parliamentarian force, returning its prisoners to Warwick was defeated by Sir William Compton on Radway Field. The parliamentarians then took shelter in Chadshunt Church.

Storming of Hillesden House. 5 March 1644 #OTD in a force of parliamentarians under Sir Samuel Luke and Oliver Cromwell stormed Hillesden House, nr. Buckingham capturing the garrison and firing the house.

Battle of Maes Moydog. 5 March 1295 Using a night march, the Earl of Warwick surprises and defeats a Welsh Army under Madog ap Llywelyn, effectively ending the Welsh Revolt of 1294-95

Wednesday 11th March, 8pm. Battlefields Trust Online Talk: Palm Sunday 1461: Rethinking the Battle of Towton. A re-examination of the earliest sources for the fighting, arguing that the course of events was quite different to later narratives Details at 'Events' in our bio.

Saturday 21st March 2026; 12 noon-5pm. The Palm Sunday Campaign 1461 and the battle of Towton symposium. NB: NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE; now Wakefield Exchange, Union St, WF1 3AD Details at 'Events' in our bio.

Skirmish at Welcombe Hills. 25 Feb 1643 Determined to eject the royalists from Stratford, Lord Brooke marches upon the town. The royalists block his path in the Welcombe Hills but, after a brief skirmish, retreat. Their powder magazine, stored in the old market hall detonates.