January 19th Royalist Victory at Braddock Down  
 

    Sir Ralph Hopton

The Battle of Braddock Down (1643) was a victory of the Royalists under Sir Ralph Hopton (1598 – 1652) which was of great importance, since it secured Cornwall for King Charles, and for the mercy shown to the Parliamentarians of whom 1500 were captured. 

The battle arose due to an attempt by Hopton's forces to enter Cornwall which was deterred by the Parliamentarians under the Earl of Stamford and William Ruthven.  Short of ammunition and supplies, the Royalists retreated across Bodmin Moor but were fortunate in being able to replenish themselves from three Parliamentarian ships that were captured in Falmouth after a storm. 

The Royalists reassembled at Boconnoc, an important estate which was later owned by Thomas ‘Diamond’ Pitt (April 29th).  Meanwhile the  depleted Parliamentarians forces, still believing they were in sight of a quick victory,  did not wait for reinforcements and attacked what they believed were some Royalist stragglers but which was, in fact, Hopton's entire army.

 Outnumbered in terms of cavalry the Parliamentarians were superior in numbers of infantry and light cannon.  Hopton ordered his foot solders, commanded by Sir Bevil Grenville (March 23rd), to attack the Royalists. 

The inexperienced and newly raised Parliamentarians panicked, firing just one volley before fleeing.  They were pursued towards Launceston where another 1,200 soldiers were captured before retreating to Saltash from where they were also driven out

   
         

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