Battle of Briggate 23rd January 1643

[Leeds Hippo]

Coming up to the anniversary of probably the most important battle to take place in Leeds. (I'm surprised there is no sign on Briggate to commemorate the battle - which I'm aware of)I still find it hard to visualise Leeds during these days - wonder if anyone has ever done an artists' impression of the battle or reconstructed it (Isn't there a society that recreates famous battles?)In 1643 during the Civil War, Leeds was the scene of a skirmish sometimes called the Battle of Briggate. Leeds was held by the Royalists under Sir William Savile, and to improve the defences of the town a trench was dug west of Briggate from near St. John's Church, round to the River Aire. The Parliamentarians, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, were encamped on Hunslet Moor, and just outside the town to the north west. When Sir William Savile refused to surrender, the Parliamentarians stormed the town. There was fierce fighting, the Royalists were driven out, and Leeds was captured by the Parliamentarians. Sir Thomas Fairfax gave an account of the battle, which had resulted in surprisingly few casualties. He wrote 'we took … five hundred prisoners, among whom were six commanders, most of the rest were common soldiers, who, upon taking a common oath never to fight in this cause against the King and Parliament, were set at liberty and suffered to depart but unarmed. There were not above forty slain, whereof ten or twelve at the most on our side, the rest on theirs'.Forty Slain on Briggate! - now there's a reason for hauntings!

[tyke bhoy]

Leeds Hippo wrote: (Isn't there a society that recreates famous battles?) Sealed KnotNo criticism meant Hippo but unless I'm in Deja Vu mode this has been mentioned before, although from that I seem to remeber skirmishing up the Meanwood valley towards Woodhouse Moor/Ridge

[Leeds Hippo]

tyke bhoy wrote: Leeds Hippo wrote: (Isn't there a society that recreates famous battles?) Sealed KnotNo criticism meant Hippo but unless I'm in Deja Vu mode this has been mentioned before, although from that I seem to remeber skirmishing up the Meanwood valley towards Woodhouse Moor/Ridge Did a search before hand but didn't find anything. Will look again Found this - Battle of Meanwoodhttp://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messages.aspx ... ght=1Seems to imply 2 battles took place (though may be same) Interesting the Sealed Knot did commemorate the battle - wonder if there are any pictures? Some pics here from 2010 - page down to "Under Siege at St. Johns Church"http://exploringleeds.blogspot.com/2010 ... chive.html    

[weenie]

Quite a few years ago ..... I was still in Primary/Middle school,... Local traffice could still go down Briggate! i use to be part of the English Civil War Society, as my friend and her family were and still are highly involved with them. I remember we did a parade from Woodhouse moor, all the way down and ended at Briggate, to commemerate the Battle of Briggate. and then did a small re-enacment there.

[Leeds Hippo]

weenie wrote: Quite a few years ago ..... I was still in Primary/Middle school,... Local traffice could still go down Briggate! i use to be part of the English Civil War Society, as my friend and her family were and still are highly involved with them. I remember we did a parade from Woodhouse moor, all the way down and ended at Briggate, to commemerate the Battle of Briggate. and then did a small re-enacment there. Wow that's great - must be a great lesson for kids to relive the civil war in Leeds

[weenie]

I really enjoyed it, they do visit a lot of schools all over the UK to do talks on the Civil war.

[Leodian]

The diagrammatic map shows a '6ft deep trench' whose path is that of, or close to, Albion Street. I wonder if there are still any remains of that trench? The television's Time Team always like to come across ditches!     

[Steve Jones]

as mentioned earlier both the Sealed Knot and the english Civil War society recreate battles from the Civil War.I recall I once asked a friend in the English Civil War Society what the difference was between the two? His reply was that "Those "edited for content<g>" in the Sealed Knot wash their uniforms so aren't as authentic as us!"

[The Parksider]

Leeds Hippo wrote: Coming up to the anniversary of probably the most important battle to take place in Leeds. (I'm surprised there is no sign on Briggate to commemorate the battle - which I'm aware of) Great stuff - thanks for that.The memorial of the "Skirmish" I seem to recall is south of the bridge near to Salem Church and the petrol Station, by the bus stops.There was a concrete plinth and brass plaque.No reason for it not to be there still - anyone passing the area soon??

[Cardiarms]

that it?http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?client=sa ... 7,,2,10.27