Battlefields
 

Does anyone have any knowledge of battles in the Accrington area of an era where there would be soldiers in suits of armour?

Re: Battlefields
 

never actually heard of any,would be interested to know meself, though there was a great battle in 1968 in front of the town/market halls. one side wore Crombies, the other leather Jackets.:D

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EH:confused:

Not mods & rockers then:confused:

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yep n lived to tell the tale.;):D

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I recall a few neighbourhood battles of sticks and stones between the likes of Miller Fold and Fern Gore late 60s early 70s.

I’d love to know more of our areas Ancient a Medieval history, I know there where monks in the area in the Medieval period, but other than the battle of Preston c1648. (English Civil War) and then again in c1715 (Jacobite Rebellion) I don’t recall hearing of any on home turf.

Come to think of it I have a map somewhere of British Battle Grounds and I don’t think there where any local ones on that.

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Remember it well cashy

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I seem to remember that there was a battle between the Cavaliers and Roundheads near Clitheroe during the Civil War.The Cavaliers were on their way to York to fight what became the Battle of Marston Moor when they came across some Roundheads near Clitheroe and they had a short skirmish

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Seem to remember Jim Proctor that the battle you mentioned took place about halfway between Portfield Bar and Read near to Roman Bridge,but would need to be confirmed by a qualified historian.

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According to Accrington Chronology and Men of Mark, there was a battle fought closer to home in November 1642: "After occupying Blackburn, Sir Gilbert Hoghton (of Hoghton Tower) pressed on with his force until they came to Whinney Hill where they encountered the Roundhead forces. A desperate struggle ensued with the result that the Royalists were defeated." I'd love to know more myself!

Andrew

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Interesting read, about east Lancashire in the Civil War.

English Civil War 1642 to 1651 Involving Rishton.

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I was in the Punch Bowl near Hurst Green a few years ago and heard a similar tale. The old chap told me that there had been a bit of a skirmish between the Roundheads and Cavaliers at the site of the pub.

Maybe it was after closing time and they didn't want to leave.

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Them Cavaliers have a lot to answer for Gremlin:D

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It was mid week lunchtime when I called in jaysay, not a Cavalier in sight, just an old Mondeo and my Transit Flareside.

The old chap told me that the tree just over the road by the cross road was where they hung one of the Roundheads.

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Groove thinks Accy has no history of note until the industrial revolution.

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Think I've read somewhere about a Civil War fracas on Whinney Hill - pre landfill site I would imagine.

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Groove thinks such tales are folklore unfortunately...like Oliver Cromwell staying in Spire farm etc...

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As a child at school I was told that a brief skirmish took place somewhere in the region of the pub across the road from the entrance to Accy cemetery and that a building in that vicinity still bore the marks of musketry fire. Anyone else heard this story?.

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Methinks Groove needs a little educating on local history,there was! a skirmish,(battle if you like),on "Henfield Moor" , which is now known as Whinny Hill, there was another skirmish at "Read old Bridge", which is on the old Roman road between Ribchester and Elslack in Yorkshire.
A farmer friend of mine who owns the land between the bridge and Portfield Bar allows my mate to use his metal detecter there and he has given me dozens of musket balls of the same calibre as were used by Cromwells "New Model Army" in the 17th century,
For Henfield, now read Enfield; As in Enfield Cricket Club.
Regards, Taddy, the Lancashire Luddite.

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The pub you refer to is the Whittakers Arms I have never heard of any skirmish or whatever in that area and I don't think the building itself goes back to the times that Muskets were used but maybe Bob Dobson can come up with some information.
Over to you Bob.Regards the Luddite