BattlefieldsSkirmish at Sourton Down 1643
English Civil War

Skirmish at Sourton Down 1643

1643
Devon, England
Also known as: Action at Sourton Down Devon 1643
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Devon, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalists (Hopton)
Forces
Hopton c.200–300; night surprise attack.
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians (Chudleigh)
Forces
Chudleigh c.300–400 cavalry
Outcome
Parliamentary cavalry surprised Hopton army at night on Sourton Down; Royalists fled in panic
The Battle

History & Significance

Before his defeat at Stratton Hopton was surprised at night at Sourton Down by Parliamentary cavalry using improvised firecracker alarms to simulate volley fire; the Royalists panicked and the incident revealed the vulnerabilities of Hopton army that would later be overcome at Stratton; one of the more dramatic night actions of the Civil War.

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