Battle of Chalgrove Field

Battle of Chalgrove Field
Part of the First English Civil War
Date 18 June 1643 Location Between Chalgrove and Chiselhampton, Oxfordshire Result Royalist victory
Belligerents
Royalists	Parliamentarians
Commanders and leaders
Prince Rupert	Major John Gunter Colonel John Hampden +
Strength
1000 cavalry.	1150 cavalry and dragoons

The Battle of Chalgrove 18 June 1643 of the English Civil War was led by Prince Rupert for the Royalists with three crack regiments and Rupert’s Lifeguard. Over 1,000 Royalist Horse engaged a similar number of Parliamentarian cavalry. Parliament’s forces consisted of three of the Earl of Essex’s troops of Horse, over 150 dragoons and 700 – 800 of Essex’s most senior officers, an approximation of 1,100 mounted troops.

It took place around 09:00 hours on the morning of 18 June 1643 in Chalgrove Field, northeast of Chalgrove in Oxfordshire. It was a Royalist victory and has become notable for the mortal wounding of Parliamentarian colonel, John Hampden, who died six days later of his wounds.

Prior to the Battle Prince Rupert’s forces had attacked the village of Chinnor killing and capturing the new levies and leaving fire and destruction behind them on their retreat to Oxford. Survivors took the alarm to Sir Philip Stapleton in Thame. Sanders and Buller’s Dragoons were sent to Chinnor and Dundasse’s Dragoons were sent out towards Chalgrove. Sanders sent a detachment back to Thame to report to Stapleton. These dragoons followed the Royalists' retreat who were by 7.30am near the village of Aston Rowant two miles from Chinnor.

The Royalists reported that a body of Rebels were discovered in Aston Rowant, referred to as ‘in the village hard upon the left hand of us, which Essex confirmed was Major John Gunter, Captain James Sheffield and Captain Richard Crosse’s Troops. These 200 troopers were soon joined by Sanders and Buller’s Dragoons and together these 300 men engaged the Royalists in a skirmish around South Weston. (The skirmish that Earl of Essex, by accident or design, confused with the Battle of Chalgrove.) The skirmishers were joined by Col. John Hampden, Sir Samuel Luke and Col John Dalbier along with Dundasse’s Dragoons. Dundasse sent a detachment to Stapleton in Thame to report that would not get to him until at least 9.30am. NB. Stapleton rounded up those fleeing from the battle. Leaving Thame after 9.30am and riding hard the six miles across country to Chalgrove with the best of horses would take 35 – 40 minutes. This timing marks the duration of the battle and confirms why the casualties on Parliament’s side were so high.

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