Monument record 26/1 - Possible Civil War Battlefield (6th May 1643)

Documentary references to a battle fought on 6th May 1643 in Town Field, Middleton Cheney. A small number of finds that may be related to the event have been found in the vicinity.

{1} Documentary references to a battle fought on 6th May 1643 in Town Field, Middleton Cheney in which the Earl of Northampton defeated some Parliamentarians. Its reputed location is at SP49654141.

{3} A mound recorded at c SP 4959 4145 was locally reputed to be the site of horse burials from the Civil War. However, the mound had been destroyed by 1991 and it may have been of any date or origin. No evidence for horse or human burials was found during the watching brief maintained during the construction of the bypass in 1991.

{4} Mr Wilkins, (41 The Avenue, Middleton Cheney) an interested local whose family has lived in the area since the early 1600's, said that the battle, known locally as the "Battle of the Moors", is reputed to have taken place in the field centred to SP49654141.
The name Town Field is unknown locally. 46 Royalists are said to have been killed and 217 Parliamentarians. The former were buried outside the north nave of Middleton Cheney Church. Some cannon balls are preserved in the Church Chest.

{5} A metal detecting survey of two fields was undertaken by the Battlefields Trust in February 2023. A single lead bullet was recovered with impact damage on one side. Although the bullet may date to the Civil War period, a single bullet itself does not inidcate battlefield use as it could have been deposited in the field as a result of earlier or later hunting/sporting activity.

<1> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.657 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP44SE21 (part checked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Cadman G, 1991, A422 Middleton Cheney Bypass: Archaeological Watching Brief Note (Note). SNN111518.

<4> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 02-APR-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<5> Marsh, S, 2023, Middleton Cheney Battlefield Survey Report (Report). SNN115012.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:52PM