Information for record number MWA1198:
Site of 1642 Battle of Edge Hill

Summary The site of the Battle of Edge Hill, October 23rd 1642. It was the opening battle of the Civil War with the Royalists led by the King and the Parliamentarians by the Earl of Essex. The battle was fought in the area between Edge Hill and Kineton.
What Is It?  
Type: Battlefield
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Burton Dassett
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 34 49
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Registered Battlefield (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

7
8
14 The Civil Wars of the mid seventeenth century were a reflection of profound political, constitutional, religious and social conflict which was expressed in a struggle for control between King and Parliament. In the late summer of 1642, as the King made to move against London, the Earl of Essex in command of Parliament's army sought to block his advance. The two armies blundered into each other near Edgehill on 23 October. The Royalists occupied the ridge of Edgehill with some 14,000 men, while the Parliamentarians, almost equal in numbers, deployed south-east of Kineton. It was the Royalists who were the first to attack, but despite gaining some ground their raw troops failed to press home their advantage. The battle drifted into confusion as a result of poor leadership, panic and exhaustion. As dusk fell, he fighting subsided and the armies parted. The Battle of Edgehill presented the King with the opportunity to advance to London and perhaps to bring the War to an end at a stroke. Having taken Oxford, however, the city which was to remain his headquarters for the remainder of the war, Charles I failed to pursue his strategic objective with vigour, and both armies looked instead to their winter quarters.
1 The Battle of Edge Hill, October 23rd 1642, was the opening battle of the Civil War with the Royalists led by the King and the Parliamentarians by the Earl of Essex. The battle is often described as a draw, but was really a victory for the King.
4 The battlefield was searched with a metal detector producing 52 musket balls and one cannon ball.
10 Metal detector survey of a development site within the Registered Battlefield. A scatter of finds dating from the 17th to 20th centuries was recorded. A single musket ball was the only find which was probably from the battle.
 
Sources
Source No: 11
Source Type: Aerial Photograph
Title: 58/RAF/1235
Author/originator: RAF
Date: 1953
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 13
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: An Archaeological Survey at Westcote House, Tysoe Road, Radway,Warwickshire
Author/originator: Gilbert D
Date: 2011
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 2340
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Battlefields of England
Author/originator: Burne A H
Date: 1951
Page Number: 186-200
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: The site of the battle of Edge Hill
Author/originator: Grant J G
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Archaeological Metal Detector Survey at Diana Lodge Paddocks, Little Kineton, Warwickshire
Author/originator: B Gethin
Date: 2007
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Archaeological Metal Detector Survey of land at Kent's Farm, Little Kineton
Author/originator: Gethin B
Date: 2005
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Report 0535
   
Source No:
Source Type: Internet Data
Title: Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Database
Author/originator: British Museum
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Statuatory List
Title: National Heritage List for England
Author/originator: Historic England
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Map
Title: Register of Battlefields
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Photograph of musket balls
Author/originator: Grant J G
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Plan
Title: Plan of findspots
Author/originator: Grant J G
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Plan
Title: OS Card, 34NE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1969
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 34NE2
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 34NE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1969
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 34NE2
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: History from the Field: The Edgehill Battlfield Survey (Interim Report)
Author/originator: Dr Glenn Foard
Date: 2005
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Register of Battlefields
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Edge Hill Battlefield, Kineton
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1979
Click here for larger image  
 
back to top

Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designatio Registered Battlefield Battlefields have been the setting for important turning points in English history. They can contain archaeological evidence that helps our understanding of the events that took place. Those battlefields that are of significant historic importance are placed on the Register of Historic Battlefields. For each battlefield on the register there are maps showing the position of the armies and features that were part of the original battlefield. The maps help to identify those features that are important for understanding the battle, which should be conserved. There is one Registered Battlefield in Warwickshire, that of the Battle of Edge Hill. The battle took place in 1642 and was the first battle of the Civil War. back
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. back
monument CIVIL * This is the top term for the class. See CIVIL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument PADDOCK * An enclosed field for horses. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument LODGE * A small building, often inhabited by a gatekeeper, gamekeeper or similar. Use specific type where known. back
monument BATTLEFIELD * The field or area of ground on which a battle or skirmish was fought. back
monument FINDSPOT * The approximate location at which stray finds of artefacts were found. Index with object name. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument CANNON * A large mounted gun, now disused and placed in a prominent position as a piece of street furniture or as a "feature". back
monument FARM * A tract of land, often including a farmhouse and ancillary buildings, used for the purpose of cultivation and the rearing of livestock, etc. Use more specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record