Battle of Launceston - 23 April 1643. On 23 April 1643, with the end of the winter truce, James Chudleigh an energetic young Parliamentary Commander crossed the River Tamar and moved to-wards Launceston with the aim of suprising the Royalists. Hopton the Royalist Commander reacted quickly delaying the parliamentary forces with one regiment, Grenvilles, whilst calling up his army from dispersed bivouacs. In the resulting battle the Parliamentary forces were driven back over the Tamar in confusion.

The Battle of Sourton Down - 24 April 1643. Following up his victory over Chudleigh, Hopton attempted to catch the parliamentary forces in Okehampton, but was ambushed at Sourton Down by Chudleigh with a small force of cavalry. The Royalists were forced to retreat and Hioton lost his despatches which allowed the Parliamentary Commanders to know his next moves.

• Series: Episode ;Two

• Running time: 15mins

• Format: 16:9

• Delivery: Download

• Rights: Limited copy and Transfers

  Photographs Courtesy of:

• The English Civil War Society
• The Sealed Knot Society
• The Marquess of Winchesters Regiment