BattlefieldsAction at Haywards Heath — Sussex skirmishing 1643
English Civil War

Action at Haywards Heath — Sussex skirmishing 1643

1643
West Sussex, England
Also known as: Haywards Heath 1643 · Mid-Sussex parliamentary action
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
West Sussex, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist raiders
Forces
Royalist raiders c.150-300. Sussex contested skirmish.
VS
Victor
Parliament (local committee forces)
Forces
Parliament c.300-500
Outcome
Parliamentary forces repelled Royalist foragers and raiders in mid-Sussex
The Battle

History & Significance

Mid-Sussex was contested between parliamentary and royalist forces throughout 1643. The area around Haywards Heath was subject to raids by Royalist cavalry from the Arundel direction and counter-operations by parliamentary committees. The parliamentary county committee for Sussex, based at Lewes, sought to control the roads and deny Royalists access to the wealden iron districts whose cannon production was strategically vital for Parliament's war effort.

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