BattlefieldsSmugglers battle at Goudhurst Kent 1747
modern

Smugglers battle at Goudhurst Kent 1747

1747
Kent, England
Era
modern
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Hawkhurst Gang
Forces
the Goudhurst village militia defending the church and village.
VS
Victor
Goudhurst militia
Forces
Hawkhurst Gang smugglers approximately 100 strong
Outcome
Gang repulsed at Goudhurst. Government crackdown followed. Hawkhurst Gang leaders tried and executed. Smuggling suppressed in Kent and Sussex through military intervention.
The Battle

History & Significance

The Hawkhurst Gang of smugglers attacked Goudhurst in Kent after the village formed a militia company to resist them. The gang was repulsed at the Battle of Goudhurst by armed villagers in an engagement that led to the gang's destruction by government forces.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Kent

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Kent