With reference to John Wood's query, the following account of the same action from the Royalist "Mercurius Aulicus" of November 15th 1644 (page 1257), may be of interest.

"This loyal Welchman [referring to previous item] did his work more handsomely then Major Pont the Scot, who this week went about to steale a Troop of Horse (for such Thefts sometimes we heare of.) This Pont having intelligence, that Colonell Sandys was comming from Worcester, lay with his fellow Rebells near Evesham to intercept him; the Colonell on Monday last marched to Pershore with his own Troop and the Reformado Troop of Worcestershire, the rest of his Troop [Regiment?] in the Villages neare Pershore; Hereupon the Rebells advanced from Evesham to a Village called Piddle [Wyre Piddle, about 1 1/2 miles north-east of Pershore], where Colonell Sandys had a Guard; the Rebells charged those Troopers at Piddle, who being overpowered retreated towards Pershore to give the Alarme to the Colonell; the Rebells in the meanwhile came over [probably a reference to the River Avon], and sent 60 Horse to pursue those who fled from Piddle, while their Major Pont drew up his body on Pinvin heath; [ a mile north-west of Wyre Piddle, on the modern B4082] the Alarme being received at Pershore, Colonell Sandys drew forth the Reformado Troop (consisting of 80 gallant Worcestershire Gentlemen) and with those he had made so a gallant a charge upon the Rebells, that he quickly broke them, routed their whole Body (these were Gentlemen that charged) and had execution upon the Rebells as farre as he pleased, wherein he killed and took 62 of the Rebells, slew Major Pont himselfe (their Commander in chiefe) two Coronets and twenty more, took another Coronet which was Ponts sonne, who lost his Colours as well as his fellowes, for all the rebells Colours were taken, and good store of their Armes gathered up, besides the Pillage of the field, and many Horses, all which the brave Gentlemen brought safe to Worcester, without the losse of any one man, and onely 4 hurt."

As might be expected the rival versions of events differ considerably in detail; John Bridges, (Parliamentarian Governor of Warwick Castle) may well be more reliable as his account was, unlike "Aulicus", not intended for public consumption and propaganda, but the Royalist description is useful for geographical information - it seems that the skirmish should be called the action on Pinvin Heath. It also seems clear that it took place on November 11th, as Bridges says in his second letter. The date of his first communication must be an error, either of transcription or by Bridges himself, and should read "November" not "September".

A few other relevant snippets. Abraham Pont had been Major of Colonel William Purefoy's Warwickshire Regiment of Horse since at least the early part of 1644. He may well have been one of the ubiquitous Scottish professional soldiers. There are some references to him, as well as a useful overview of the war in the area, in Philip Tennant, Edgehill and Beyond, the People's War in fhe South Midlands, 1642-45,1992. Purefoy's Regiment was an experienced regional unit, which saw a good deal of action throughout the war.

Samuel Sandys was one of the leading Worcestershire Royalists, and raised his Regiment of Horse in the county in early 1643. Though normally based on Worcester, it was an active unit, being at the Siege of Gloucester (1643) Cheriton, a number of minor actions in the Midlands, and later taking part in the Naseby campaign after Sandys had become Governor of Worcester. The "reformado" troop, perhaps permanently attached to the Regiment, was probably raised as a result of a "re-modelling" of the Worcestershire forces which was undertaken around this time. 92

More Replies

Skirmish Near Warwick or the Action near Pinvin Heath
Parlimentry Army Notes And Curiosities

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