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Without a doubt the most stirring chapter in the history of Ashby is that which deals with its part in the Civil War. Neither the aged fifth Earl of Huntingdon nor his eldest son, who succeeded to the title in 1643, played a part in the struggle, but his second son, Henry Hastings, Lord Loughborough, became the main champion of the Royalist cause in Leicestershire, and the regional commander.
Shortly after the battle of Edgehill, Hastings occupied the castle and placed the garrison on a war footing. For over three years it was the center of operations for most of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire, becoming a critical lynch-pin of Royalist operations in the Midlands, and strengthened their hold on the port of Chester. This, together with the fact that cavalry from the garrison were involved in many actions in the Welsh Marches in 1645-46, including attempts to disrupt Parliament's siege of Newark, earned Hastings the nickname of 'Rob Carrier' amongst the Parliamentarians. Several improvements were made in the defenses, notably the building of the Mount House that stands to the east of the castle, plus various earthworks. Mount House was both as a fortified outpost, as well as accommodation for reinforcement of Irish troops, to avoid racial and religious disputes between them and the English members of the garrison. In addition, underground passages were dug to improve communications in the event of a siege; one apparently ran from the kitchen to the Mount House, and another (possibly in existence before the Civil War and now restored) joins the kitchen with Hastings Tower. By the end of 1644, Parliamentary forces were gaining the upper hand in the county, the town being occupied and the castle closely besieged. For a year the fortunes of the opposing forces fluctuated, but after the battle of Naseby the situation became desperate for the Royalists. Although the castle proved too strong to be taken by storm, an outbreak of plague and dwindling food supplies took their toll of the garrison, which was finally compelled to surrender on 28 February 1646. The terms of surrender were remarkably generous, suggesting that the Parliamentarians were relieved at the removal of a great thorn in their side. As was usual, terms included provision for "slighting" of the castle, but apparently none of the principal buildings were damaged. In November 1648, a Committee of the House of Commons, sitting at Leicester, recorded that Hastings Tower was still habitable and defensible, and resolved that "the Garrison of Ashby-de-la-Zouch be forthwith slighted and made untenable". The following year the tower and kitchen building was slighted on the usual lines; one complete wall of each building being destroyed by undermining and gunpowder, accounts for Ashby Castle as it appears today. Compared to the Sealed Knot's 350th Battle of Naseby, the 350th Siege of Ashby was superb. It involved all elements of an enjoyable muster; field and siege battles involving charges and counter-charges over the castle's defensive wall (erected for the battle and designed to appear as part of the castle from the public's view), ground charges, street fight in town, the King's evening march through town and review of his Lifeguard, plus trials and subsequent executions of captured rebels, and even a small, but very authentic, living history encampment set-up at the castle. By far, of the two Sealed Knot 350th weekends, this was THE best, and the host unit (Northampton's Regt.), is to be praised highly! The Lifeguard was called upon to perform pivotal parts in the engagements, such as leading the push on the enemy from the castle wall after their failed petard attempt. When Colonel Walker ordered "Over the top men, right at 'em", those ECWSA members did so with gusto, and not going unnoticed by the Colonel, whom I was staff officer to. Colonel Walker, observing how fast our fully accoutred and armored pikemen (Cunningham, Chuck-a-Beast & Cpl. Slater) got over the wall to drop to the road below said, "Your lads are eager aren't they? Great elan, good show!". I replied, "They're quite use to this type of engagement (siege) back in the Colonies". The Colonel also remembered how the ECWSA Royalists performed when asked to take the enemy fort at the Avalon Siege a few years ago, remarking then how good we were! When the Lord General asked the Lifeguard to hold the field against a major part of Parliament's army while the rest of the Royalists formed up, it was done steadfastly. This led to some severe pushes, where even though outnumbered, the Lifeguard held. In fact, at one point during Saturday's battle the Lifeguard had pushed completely through the enemy's lines, forcing them back onto the spectators, far past the scripted mid-way point. A nice touch, which as re-enactors in the Colonies we have not been able to take part in, was the arrival of the King Saturday evening, escorted by his Lifeguard and Prince Rupert's Horse, marching through Ashby after arrival from Naseby (historically the King spent time at Ashby to regroup his forces and encourage the garrison after Naseby). It was a proud moment to be escorting the King through a town of cheering public. Before the march the King, along with his staff, reviewed the Lifeguard (naturally outside a pub!). The King (and Col. Walker) took special notice of a Lifeguard veteran who's always been there for the Cause, Musketeer Gregory Robin. Who though with foot still bandaged from his old wound, marched on through every action from Naseby to Ashby, never with a complaint nor lagging behind - Huzzah! Although for his efforts he ended the trip with more battle scars; this time a severely hacked musket and broken serpentine. The King lavished the greatest attention, equally returned, to the li'l blonde wench, Roni. Of all campfollowers in review, she was the only one which the King stopped and admired, and turned to look at more then once, finally telling Colonel Walker to "make sure this one is at my lodgings tonight". Yes the li'l wench really caught the King's (as well as many Lifeguard soldier's) eye during our stay, and even Colonel Walker came to "adopt" her as one of his daughters (the little minx...!). I should mention that Saturday night, after dinner at one pub, we then revelled at another with a group of Lifeguard (including Colonel and family). During the night of singing, carousing and laughing, Roni was formally initiated into the Lifeguard, standing atop a table, almost falling from her continuous laughter. I will add that a certain Lifeguard Ensign has her laughing beat, as he laughs uncontrollably for nearly an hour, and according to his wife was taken to the hospital once for being unable to stop! He sat in a corner for nearly a half hour laughing by himself after Roni surprised him with a nose warmer, which the British lads knew nothing of, although now all were red-faced, but more than eager to partake! At Ashby we had a chance to watch the one-man show 'Heavy Hangs the Head that wears the Crown', a performance by Arthur Starkey, the actor portraying King Charles I. The Colonel's wife, Gil Walker, plus everyone we met, urged us not to miss this, as "whether Cavalier or Roundhead it never leaves a dry eye in the crowd". It was great indeed, as Arthur takes his audience through Charles' life from birth until his death. Naturally the Civil War is covered in detail. It was riveting to sit and listen to someone who portrayed the King perfectly, in proper attire (first a black suit with cape bedecked with the King's emblem as in one of his portraits, then in battle attire) amongst a tent with rich trappings and period props for the King, with music at key times throughout. As Arthur finished the King's trial, he slowly removed parts of his attire. At the end saying, "then on the 31st of January, 1649, King Charles I was beheaded and, became a martyr", he slowly and quietly walked off through the crowd with his shirt open and wearing no hat, as the King appeared at his death. This was a beautifully built and gripping moment, and truly, there was not a dry eye in the large crowd of public, which also included Parliamentarian as well as Royalist re-enactors. The saddest part of Ashby was the fact it was the last time during our trip we would see Colonel Walker, his family (who graciously put us up for a few nights, complete with breakfast cooked by Gil), and our fellow Lifeguards and friends from across the Atlantic. On Sunday the Colonel, before dismissing the regiment, called the Colonials out to receive a salute and praise for how we looked, acted and the fact that "it was nice to see that the Lifeguard is in good hands in the Colonies". Colonel Walker stated we will be missed, and would not know what to do next muster when he looks around for us, and expecting my quick and courteous response as his staff officer, only to find we would not be there. The last good-byes at camp were of course the hardest, and tears were shed by all (even by the Colonel), and friends made of all, with promises to return in 1998. In the end it was a lot of fun, cost a bit, but would not have missed it for the world, and the weather and people were great. It's nice to be on a field amongst a sizeable army of our period, as for the American Civil War here in the States. Those that journeyed across are looking forwards to 1998 when we will go again, plus many that could not go are starting to save now. Hopefully we can bring at least twice as many next time. It's great to be on a trip with fellow Society members! |
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