BattlefieldsKentish rising — Penenden Heath muster
English Civil War

Kentish rising — Penenden Heath muster

1648
Kent, England
Also known as: Penenden Heath 1648 · Kentish assembly at Penenden 1648
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliament
Forces
Parliament c.500–1,000
VS
Victor
Royalists (initial mobilisation)
Forces
Royalists c.2,000–4,000
Outcome
Mass Royalist muster; 10,000+ men assembled; precursor to Battle of Maidstone
The Battle

History & Significance

Penenden Heath outside Maidstone was the traditional gathering place for the Kentish county levy. In May 1648 it became the assembly point for the Royalist uprising — one of the largest armed gatherings in Kent's history. The subsequent military defeat at Maidstone did not exhaust the rising; survivors crossed the Thames and continued at Colchester.

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