Battle of Gunnislake New Bridge
Part of the English Civil War

Gunnislake New Bridge
Date20th July 1644
Location50°31′43″N 4°12′43″W / 50.52861°N 4.21194°W / 50.52861; -4.21194
Belligerents
Royalists Kingdom of England Parliamentarians
Commanders and leaders
Sir Richard Grenville
Thomas Southcott
Earl of Essex
William Balfour
Strength
c. 2000 c. 2500
Casualties and losses
200 40

Durig the Civil War Cornwall was a devoted county of England, entirely loyal to King Charles I and Royalists cause. However Devon was Parliamentarian, as such this forced the River Tamar into the site of many battles. Each side of the Tamar understood that if they were to either invade or defend themselves they had to have control of the Tamar's crossings. Gunnislake New Bridge was one of four bridges crossing the River Tamar.[1]

Battle

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The Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, force of roundheads pushed into Cornwall over the bridge. They were met with great defence from Grenviles forces, quartered at the garrisons of Cotehele House and Harewood House, Calstock. The bridge was hard fought for however the Roundheads failed to advance into Cornwall. The battle lasted only for a day. It culminated in 240 casalties, many royalist were taken prisoner.[2][3][4]

Aftermath

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After the stalemate at New Bridge the forces continued to defend either side of the bridge. Lord Essex's force traveled north to Launceston, leaving half of his force defending New Bridge. Lord Essex then regrouped with his other force based to the northern half of the Tamar Valley. On the 26th of July Lord Essex was victorious at a bridge on the River Tamar this allowed him and his forces to penetrate the Royalist defences and to continue into the heart of Cornwall. This was culminated in the Battle of Lostwithiel, resulting in a disastrous defeat for the Parliamentarian force.

See Also

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References

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Category:Calstock Category:River Tamar Category:Battles involving the Cornish 17th century in Cornwall Category:Military history of Cornwall Category:History of Cornwall Category:Southcott Family Category:1664