Battle of Alton

Alton

Farnham

Basing

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Hampshire County and Alton

The Battle of Alton (also Storm of Alton),^[7] of the First English Civil War, took place on 13 December 1643 in the town of Alton, Hampshire, England.^[α] There, Parliamentary forces serving under Sir William Waller led a successful surprise attack on a winter garrison of Royalist infantry and cavalry serving under the Earl of Crawford.^[3] The Battle of Alton was the first decisive defeat of Sir Ralph Hopton, leader of Royalist forces in the south, and the event had a significant psychological effect on him as commander.^[7] More important to Hopton was the loss of men, however, as he was already short-handed in much-needed infantry. The successful Parliamentarians were able, after their victory, to attack and successfully besiege Arundel, a larger and more formidable Royalist outpost to the south-east of Alton.^[2][5]

At dawn on 13 December, as Waller's army approached Alton, Crawford fled with the cavalry to Winchester, leaving Colonel Richardus Boles to defend Alton with only the infantry.^[β] Outnumbered and overpowered, Boles's men were soon forced to seek refuge in the Church of St Lawrence, where they made a desperate last stand. Boles was killed, along with most of his remaining men. The Parliamentarians won a clear victory, losing only a few men and taking many prisoners.^[8]

Boles's fight is also notable for its demonstrated drama and heroism.^[2] Stories boast that Boles killed a number of his enemies before falling himself. The battle is known as one of the "most savage encounters" of the English Civil War.^[5] Musket holes from the fight can still be seen in the south door to the church and inside, where so many cornered men were killed or captured.^[9] The Battle of Alton was also the first battle in the English Civil War to use leather guns, employed effectively by Waller before and during the battle proper.^[10]