Battle of Marston Moor

Marston Moor, scene of the battle

Battle of Marston Moor

Where is it – England, Yorkshire and the Humber

Who looks after it –  Unknown 

What is it –  Battlefield, Free access, Memorial, Royal connection 

When is it from – Stuart

The Battle of Marston Moor was fought on the evening of 2 July 1644 and was one of the major battles of the English Civil War. It engaged an estimated 18,000 Royalists and 28,000 combined Parliamentarians and Scots, lasted approximately 2 hours and resulted in a decisive defeat for King Charles. Some 4,000 Royalists were killed and a further 1,500 captured. One of the consequences was that the King lost control of the North of England, which had been largely sympathetic to the Royalist cause. This was the battle that helped make Oliver Cromwell’s name as one of the commanders.

The battlefield is situated on mainly agricultural land between the villages of Long Marston and Tockwith. A road runs across the area of the fighting, as it did in the 17th century and there is an obelisk memorial with an information panel. Many of the Royalist dead are said to have been buried en masse close to where they fell in a spot called White Sike Close Their ghosts are reputed to haunt the lanes nearby to this very day.

Post Code is approximate.

 


Address

Tockwith Road, North Yorkshire YO26 7PJ 

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