Sunday 28 February 2021

Last Battle Upon English Soil


       The last battle to be fought in England was in fact at Clifton in Cumbria, although some would try to have this downgraded to nothing more than a skirmish. If this was to be the case then there are quite a number of other British Battles which could be similarly downgraded.

      The battle was fought between the armies of Prince Charles Edward Stewart upon their retreat to Scotland, following the failed conquest of England, and their pursuers the army of the Duke of Cumberland.

      The battle itself isn't well documented but is as important as any other of the Jacobite Rising. The Duke's Army was getting to close to the Prince's retreating forces and a stand was made at Clifton, which resulted in a Highland Charge, which broke the Hanoverian lines and scattered the Duke's troops. Actual losses on either side were no more than a dozen each or less, though wounded numbers are uncertain but the result was a success for the Jacobite Forces as this bought them more time and kept the Hanoverian forces at bay.