Battlefield Tour – Basing House

Armchair General

THE “NEW HOUSE”

It can literally be said that there remains nothing above ground of the “New House” since the end of the siege in 1645. Having established a breach in the walls, and since the “New House” was constructed from the outset as a stately home and not a Fort or Castle, it was relatively easy for Cromwell’s troops to secure the entire area by breaking through the “New House” and into the “Old”.

The final assault took less than three quarters of an hour from start to finish. As a result of mortar weapons being used during the final battle, fire took hold in the “New House” and, as if this were not bad enough, the victorious Parliamentarians looted the building after their victory. Finally, on October the 19th, 1645, a mere five days after the siege, the House of Commons decreed that the entire House should be demolished.

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As you can see from these pictures, this was done with remarkable efficiency. It is only by looking closely at the ground that one can see the remains of old walls beneath the soil.

Here, my friend Roach, helpfully demonstrates the direction (the South East) from which Cromwell’s army stormed the house after 5 months of siege.

This is the remains of the Stables.

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