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Wallingford's Key Role

Wallingford played an important part in the war between Charles I and his supporters (Roundheads and Cavaliers) and Oliver Cromwell and his supporters (Parliamentarians or Roundheads).

A Royal Garrison

After Charles I had raised his standard as a call to arms against the Parliament, Wallingford became a garrison for Royalist troops, with Colone Thomas Blagge’s foot regiment and Lord Digby’s horse regiment stationed here. The Wallingford troops were involved in many local skirmishes. Charles visited Wallingford several times during the war, and once struck Blagge about the head for not providing enough soldiers. On another occasion the Queen and Prince Rupert were Godparents at the Christening of one of Blagge’s children. Later, Parliamentarians came to Wallingford believing the king to be there, and there, and were received somewhat brusquely by Blagge, who told them he had left for Oxford.

Churches Damaged

To protect the town, part of the stone bridge across the Thames was replaced with a wooden drawbridge. St Leonards Church used as a troop garrison was badly damaged during the war, and two other churches, All Hallow’s and St Peter’s was destroyed.

Siege and  Surrender

As the parliamentarian new model army began to win the war, many Royalist strongholds surrendered, but Blagge refused to surrender Wallingford Castle without Charles’s agreement. After a siege of 12 weeks, Sir Thomas Fairfax managed to pursuade Blagge to surrender

After the war

Cromwell ordered the destruction of the castle, and the remains were used around the town, including the building of the tower of St Mary Le More church.

David Hemming