S t r a t t o n  M o n u m e n t

Two miles east of Bude and the Tower of the winds is Stratton.

Stamford Hill was the site of a battle during the civil war fought between the parliamentarians and the royalists, on May 16th 1643. The parliamentarians were commanded by the Earl of Stamford, who had an army of over 5,500 men. Sir Ralph Hopton,the commander of the royalist's had a company of just 3000. Although his army was far less in number, he still decided to attack Stamford. The conflict that took place around the hill went on all day and was a very terrible battle.

However, although Stamford's parliamentarians had many advantages, incredibly they were defeated! Royalist troops fought hard, and they gained eventual control of the hill. The Earl of Stamford lost nearly 2000 men by way of capture or death.

On the spot where the battle took place is a curious little arch, the Stratton Monument. It was built sometime in the 17th century. The arch is crowned with a single knobbly pinnacle, which some say was snaffled from the church in neighbouring Poughill.

The plate's inscription reads:

Site of Battle of Stratton 1643

"In this place ye army of ye Rebells under ye command of Earl of Stamford

Receiv'd a signall over -throu by ye valour of sr Bevill Cranville & ye cornifh

army on Tuesday ye 16th May 1643"

The above wording appeared on the first memorial placed at the site of the

battle, by Lord Lansdown in 1713.

The arch is situated at the far end of the field. It leads into a private garden, hence the iron bar visible in the photo above.

Stratton monument's octagonal crocketed pinnacle, very similar to spires at the nearby Poughill church.

 

Visiting

This little monument is fully accessible to the public but please respect the privacy of the owners of the garden it backs on to. There is parking on the road running past the field, Stamford Hill. You can walk around the field to the monument.

 

Co-ords 222784 107198 / SS 227071  

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