Battle of Chalgrove Field

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Date	June 18, 1643
Location	Between Chalgrove and Chiselhampton, Oxfordshire
Result	Royalist victory

Belligerents

Royalists

Parliamentarians

Commanders

Prince Rupert

Sir Philip Stapleton, Colonel John Hampden

Strength

1000 cavalry ^[1]

1150 cavalry and dragoons ^[1]

The Battle of Chalgrove was a skirmish during the English Civil War in the county of Oxfordshire. It took place around 09:00 hours on the morning of 18 June 1643 in Chalgrove Field, between Chalgrove and Chiselhampton in Oxfordshire. It was a minor Royalist victory and is notable for the mortal wounding of Parliamentarian Colonel John Hampden who died six days later of his wounds.

v • d • e

First English Civil War

1st Hull - Powick Bridge - Edgehill - Aylesbury - Brentford - Turnham Green - Hopton Heath - Chalgrove Field - Braddock Down - Stratton - Lansdowne - Seacroft Moor - Roundway Down - Sourton Down - Adwalton Moor - Gainsborough - 2nd Hull - Winceby - Reading - Gloucester - 1st Newbury - Alton - Cheriton - Nantwich - Boldon Hill - Newark - York - Bolton - Cropredy Bridge - Marston Moor - Lostwithiel - 2nd Newbury - Taunton - Naseby - Langport - Rowton Heath - Stamford Hill - Stow-on-the-Wold - Oxford

1 Prelude
2 The battle
3 Aftermath
4 References
5 Further reading

[edit] Prelude

Acting on information from Colonel Hurry, Prince Rupert took 1,800 men on 17th June on a raid to harass the Earl of Essex's army and attempt to capture his payroll of £21,000^[2]. He surprised and destroyed Parliamentary garrisons at Postcombe and Chinnor^[3]. The pay convoy avoided Rupert and Parliamentarian troops, led by Sir Philip Stapleton and Colonel John Hampden, pursued Rupert back towards Oxford. Ten miles south-east of the city, at Chalgrove, Rupert ordered his infantry ahead while his cavalry set an ambush.

[edit] The battle

The Parliamentarian horse closed quickly before the ambush could be set, leaving the two sides separated only by a large hedge. Leading the charge, Rupert

... set spurs to his horse, and first of all, in the very face of the [enemy], lept the hedge that parted [him] from the Rebells^[4]

. The Royalist troopers quickly followed and routed the Parliamentarians in the short, sharp skirmish that followed. During this fight, John Hampden's pistol exploded in his hand and he was mortally wounded^[4].

[edit] Aftermath

John Hampden retired to Thame where he died six days later^[3].

Poor Hampden is dead ... I have scarce strength to pronounce that word.

So wrote Anthony Nichol, M.P., on hearing the news^[5].

Following Chalgrove, Colonel Hurry led another raid a week later which swept around Essex's army and plundered Wycombe. This led to sharp criticism of Essex in London, and he offered his resignation, which was refused.