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A ferocious battle fought in Alton during the English Civil War, provided a victory for Parliamentary forces under Sir William Waller over the Royalist Forces of Lord Crawford. Waller was based in Farnham whereas Crawford had his forces thinly deployed in Alton, Winchester and southwards.

An initial raid by a unit of Parliamentary cavalry caused Crawford to prepare defences and deploy scouts assuming an attack along the Alton to Farnham Road. However, during the night of 12 December 1543, Sir William Waller led his 5,000 strong army west towards Basing before turning south and then descending upon the town successfully outflanking Crawford’s defences to launch a surprise attack early in the following morning.

The first approach, supported by artillery, began with an assault on Amery Hill Farm, from what are now Greenfields Estate and Flood Meadows. This attack was initially held off but the Parliamentary artillery continued to inflict casualties on the Royalist defenders.

A second assault was initiated along the other side of Flood Meadows down Lenten Street into Market Square. Lord Crawford, who probably had about 1500 troops in town, decided that his cavalry would be vulnerable in the enclosed streets and despatched it to Winchester, leaving Colonel Bolle with about 1,000 infantry to defend the town until reinforcements could be deployed from Winchester.

The Parliamentary troops forced their way from Lenten Street, down Market Street, Amery Street and the High Street with their colours flying. Colonel Bolle organised a fighting withdrawal into the prepared defences of St. Lawrence churchyard. The churchyard was fiercely defended and by early afternoon it was soon filled with dead and dying. Eventually under heavy musket fire the Southeast gate (off Church Street) was breached. Whilst many Royalists were captured, Colonel Bolle and about eighty of his cavaliers fell back into the church itself, refusing to surrender. The fighting continued into the late afternoon when the Parliamentarians broke into the church but the carnage in such close quarters was terrible and at one stage the Royalists were driven back onto their own pikemen. Fighting stubbornly Colonel Bolle killed or wounded many of his assailants but he was eventually slain and the remaining Royalists asked for quarter.

The King acknowledged that with the death of Colonel Bolle he had lost one of his most experienced field commanders. In addition some 800 Royalists, including 50 officers, were captured. There would have been many of these prisoners who changed sides, as is the nature of civil war, making the battle an even bigger loss to the Kings Cause.

The battle marked the end of fighting for that year and left Parliament in control of the Southeast of England and in a much stronger position to recommence their campaign in 1644.

The English Civil War Society has re-enacted the Battle of Alton on several occasions.

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Credit for photos: Ian Parker, Mid Hants Railway, Alton Town Council, Alton Camera Club (Anstey Mill).