Re-enactment by The Sealed Knot.


Stratton has a very long history as a centre of community and commerce. Reference is made to ‘Stratone’ in King Alfred’s will of 880AD and mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1087. A Charter was granted in 1207. During the time of the Civil Wars, Stratton was a thriving small town with most if not all, the commercial skills to support a rural and agricultural community
By 1643 the town would have had many cottage industries from taking in of washing to leather work and carpentry. It was a market town and, as a leather centre, tanning was prominent. Workmen would have been hired and fired on the day of the cattle market. There were some thirteen gin houses/inns and at Church House the clerks brewed ale for sale to raise money for the church.

At the beginning of our Civil Wars, Cornwall stood firmly in Royalist hands. The situation changed when in 1643, a large parliamentarian army, known as the Roundheads, under command of the Earl of Stamford launched itself across the Tamar to invade the county. Stamford eventually barricaded his forces on the hill near Stratton that now bears his name. At his disposal he had 5,400 infantry, 200 horses, 13 cannon and a great mortar
To face Stamford, the Cornish lead by Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir Bevill Grenville, whose house was at Stowe near Kilkhampton, had less than 3,000 men. They nevertheless resolved that – come what may – they must assault the near impregnable enemy camp.
The battle began at dawn on Tuesday 16th May 1643. ‘Hedgehogs’ of Royalist pikemen moved into the attack, with support from musketeers and light artillery including cannon fire.
For nearly ten hours the fight moved to and fro, until the Cavaliers had all but expended their ammunition. At this crucial moment they wavered. However with a final courageous and silent assault, victory was clinched by Grenville, whose wing scaled the summit, rolling up Stamford’s line, and carried all before them.
Hopton’s men, who made an assault on the hill from the direction of Stratton, captured the enemy cannon, baggage, money and supplies. More parliamentarian prisoners were taken than the Royalist forces knew what to do with. Many were released after assurances that they would not take up arms against the king.
Cornwall was saved for the Parliamentarian threat and not for nothing was the battle hailed as
‘The Roundheads’ Remembrancer!’

( Taken from http://www.visitcornwall.com/site/things-to-do/whats-on/battle-of-stratton-commemoration-weekend-battle-of-stamford-hill-p991383 )