English Civil War

Tewkesbury’s role has not attracted much attention mainly because it found itself between “Parliamentarian” Gloucester and Royalist Worcester. Accordingly the tide of war ebbed and flowed around Tewkesbury with little military significance.

However, the war had a significant effect on the governance of Tewkesbury - which does deserve further research. We learn a little from The Feoffee Book presented by Charles Hilton

1639
This year the baylives and 2 Senior JP's were made deputie Leiftenants for the towne & parish of Tewkesberrie. Spencer Erle of Northampton being Lord Lieftenant.

1640
Great differences about our burgesses 2 being returned by one bailiff & 2 by another. So the election was quashed because we admitted some free holders to give voices and we resolved whether the election should be by freemen only or by all the inhabitants except almsmen.

1642
Civil War. 6 Feb our towne, by composition was delivered up to Sir William Russell who made us pay £500 having formerly lent so much to the King. He tooke away all our armes both the townes in general and every man's in particular and carried them to Worc'ter.

1649
Thos Boustrode Esq. chosen as Recorder and sat with the Baylives in court. Later he became disinterested because he was not exempted from payment quartering soldiers.

_{We are grateful to the executors of the late Mrs Dorothy
Hilton for making this script available and Linda Smith for transcribing it
(with its confusing spelling).}

Peter E. Bloomfield

Tewkesbury and the English Civil War

During the Civil War, Tewkesbury saw much action and frequent changes with leading figures from both sides occupying the town at different times. This was due to the strategic importance of its position in relation to Parliamentary Gloucester and Royalist Worcester along with its position on the rivers Avon and Severn providing a crossing station.

Bulletin articles filed under War-1642 Civil

Tewkesbury and the English Civil War	Peter E. Bloomfield	Bulletin No 2 (1993)

In English Civil War

Tewkesbury and the English Civil War