The Battle of Hinckley

 It is 382 years since the Battle of Hinckley, 4-5 March 1644.

About 350 Royalist cavalry, from Ashby de la Zouch, were combing this part of the county for supplies and had collected a huge herd of cattle, oxen and horses to take back to their base. They had also taken 26 men and clergy hostage. They had arrived late afternoon and planned to stay in Hinckley overnight, locking all their prisoners in St Mary’s Church.  Parliamentarian forces from Leicester decided to rescue the prisoners and free all the livestock.  The Parliamentarian force, about 170 cavalry, advanced from Barwell and along Derby Road and clashed with the Royalists in the Market Place.  The Royalists were scattered and galloped up Castle Street, out of town, followed by the Parliamentarians.  The Royalists reformed in the fields where the Parliamentarians attacked them, shooting at them first with their Dragoons (mounted infantry). The Royalists turned and fled.  The prisoners were then freed from the church and the livestock returned to their original owners.  13 Royalists were killed and 48 taken prisoner. We are told that no Parliamentarians were killed and only four wounded so they must have totally surprised the Royalists.

I decided to make this a bit more visual as it was for Facebook.

The Parliamentarians arrive from Barwell, the Dragoons dismount and advance.

The loot and the prisoners were held at St Mary’s Church.

They battle in the Market Place.

The scattered Royalists are chased up Castle Street.

But reform in the fields where they are attacked again, the Dragoons shooting at them first.