Monday 30th August "The Battle for Basing"
1645 - Fire and Brimstone
On Monday we will conclude the programme with a portrayal of the last days of the siege. Key themes will be religious and political conflict; the increasing hardships faced by the besieged garrison as the war began to turn against the King; and the final storming and fall of the House in October 1645.
Photograph by John Beardsworth - SK
Nutshell's guide to Basing in 1645
The Marquis petitioned King Charles for the removal of all Protestants from Basing. Sir Marmaduke Rawdon (the military governor, who had led the defence since 1643) and 500 men marched out on May Day 1645. B
asing sheltered many Royalist fugitives and refugees, including the architect Inigo Jones and the engraver Wenceslas Hollar, and Catholic priests - Puritans regarding it as a "nest of Papists".
- On 14 June, Parliament won a decisive victory at Naseby.
- On 21 August, Colonel John Dalbier, a skilled military engineer, began the Third Siege of Basing House. The bombardment began in September and Dalbier methodically weakened the defences.
On 8 October, Cromwell arrived with New Model Army regiments and more artillery, having taken Winchester 3 days previously.
A final summons to surrender was rejected on 11 October and Cromwell stormed the house at daybreak on 14 October. The assault, led by the regiments of Colonels Pickering, Hartop, Dalbier, Montagu and Sir Hardress Waller, lasted 2 hours. The Marquis and other survivors were taken prisoner.
Photograph by Rusty Aldwinckle - SK
Cromwell allowed his troops to plunder the House, taking goods to the value of £200,000. Having been looted bare, Basing House itself caught fire. Some of the prisoners were still in the House when the fire began and were left to burn to death.
Monday's event - "Battle for Basing 1645"
Like the battle on Sunday, Monday's battle will be in two phases, spanning the beginning and end of the Third and final Siege of Basing House. "Part 1" will enact Dalbier's arrival and a Royalist sortie from the House to attack the Parliament guns. The focus of "Part 2" is the final storming of the House on 14 October 1645.
Once again, the living history displays will form the backdrop to the day's narrative. On the Bailey and New House site we are portraying a house and garrison under siege as the war turns against the King. "Outside the walls" in the siege camp, visitors will be able to mingle with the besiegers.
As well as the usual pre-battle displays, we plan several cameos including the discovery of a traitor in the House (the Marquis's brother) and the eviction of the Protestant members of the garrison, highlighting to visitors the religious tensions which were at play. If you think you might like to take part in the cameos, volunteers are warmly welcomed so please get in touch with the event team (contact details in Orders).
Photograph by John Beardsworth - SK
Come back later for more information about Monday's programme and timings.
This page was last modified on 26 August 2010