BattlefieldsAlton Colonel Boles Last Stand in Church 1643
English Civil War

Alton Colonel Boles Last Stand in Church 1643

1643
England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist garrison under Colonel Richard Boles
Forces
Royalist garrison under Colonel Richard Boles approximately 1,000
VS
Victor
Parliamentary forces under Waller
Forces
Parliamentary forces under Waller approximately 5,000
Outcome
Parliamentary victory; Colonel Boles killed inside the church in the final stand; the whole Royalist garrison of approximately 1,000 was killed or captured; the action secured Alton for Parliament.
The Battle

History & Significance

The action at Alton on 13 December 1643 was one of the most dramatic engagements of the Civil War. Colonel Richard Boles and approximately 80 Royalist musketeers retreated from the town into St Lawrence Church and fought until their ammunition was exhausted. Boles was killed fighting inside the church; bullet holes and pike marks are still visible in the door and font. Waller called him the bravest soldier he had ever seen.

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