Newsletter - Issue 12

The Civil War

It was in the month of August 1642, that one of the most significant periods of not only our national, but local history also, commenced. King Charles I, after months of verbal sparring with Parliament, raised his standard at Nottingham and the English Civil War had begun.

In September, Parliamentarians under Sir Richard Buller of Shillingham, formed a committee at Saltash and issued a proclamation to the militia, known as trained bands, to meet at Bodmin. However, Sir Ralph Hopton, in command of the Royalists, seized Bodmin and Buller had to abandon the plan. Saltash remained in Parliamentary hands until, after capturing Launceston in October, Hopton moved down the Tamar and forced the 200 Scottish troops who were garrisoning Saltash to retreat across the river to Plymouth, which remained staunchly Parliamentarian throughout the war

Saltash changed hands no fewer than eight times during the hostilities and, although only a few civilian lives were lost, there was much destruction of property. It was not until March 1646 that the last Royalist troops surrendered Ince Castle and as far as the Saltash district was concerned the war was over.

Few traces of the Civil War remain in Saltash. There were earthworks and gun emplacements in the upper Fore Street area, outside the old town gate and a 16 gun position at the Waterside, in the vicinity of the former gasworks. This latter site has been known as "The Battery" right up to modern times and a public house so named existed there in the 19th century.

The Civil War devastated Saltash, which had previously been a thriving community, and it was not until the late 18th century that real signs of recovery became evident, with many fine houses being erected. However, Saltash never regained its former importance as a port and although this role was bound to decline, the Civil War hastened the process dramatically and marks a significant turning point in the history of Saltash.

David Coles

Saltash Heritage, 17 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6JQ --- Tel: 01752 848466 --- Email: info@saltash-heritage.org.uk --- Registered Charity No. 297525