Basing House, the palatial seat of the Marquis of Winchester, commanded the main road from the Wiltshire Downs to London. Wool flowed on this road to trade in the capital. In 1642 on the eve of the English Civil War, the Marquis's mansion became an important stronghold, with an invaluable position, which would cut of the trade with London and severely hamper any forces moving through the area. John Paulet, 5th Marquis of Winchester, fortified his mansion for the King on the outbreak of hostilities. The huge fortress and earthworks proved an impressive site, giving it a strong position. The defences were tested out on 6th November 1643. William Waller, Parliamentarian commander of the new South Eastern Association drew up his army at Basing under the cover of a thick fog. After refusing to surrender, Waller’s men submitted a heavy bombardment to the mansion, before assaulting it. Again the weather proved too much and he was forced to withdraw when it became stormy. Five days later, Waller again attacked and fighting between his army and the small pocket of men in the garrison was fierce. The extremely thick Norman and 16th century walls stood stoically in defiance of Waller’s guns; shot after shot seemed not to dent them. Darkness began to fall and only until then did the fighting break - another narrow defeat for Waller. After one more attack on 13th, Waller retreated from the mansion, leaving his men demoralised. He left behind him Lord Winchester’s jubilant and brave garrison, who had gained a good reputation. On 11th July 1644, once again forces draw close to the mansion with the intention of avenging the previous humiliation. Two thousand men under Colonel Richard Norton arrived to try a different tactic to storming; they would starve the garrison to submission. Siege Surrounding the house, the siege commenced. September 4th, some 36-pound mortars arrive, firing on the house. After a demand to surrender, the 46-year-old Marquis returned a defiant reply. On September 11th, after a fast and dangerous march, Colonel Gage chopped his way through the enemy besiegers with his tired scratch force from Royalist Oxford. They got into the mansion to deliver much needed supplies. Around 19th September, after a long siege of over 8 weeks, Norton's men retired - defeated. Once again the courage of Basing and Gage's relieving force had thwarted an enemy, which heavily outnumbered them. In defiance, Lord Winchester scraped "Aimez Loyaute" with a diamond, on every windowpane. Love Loyalty, the by then famous phrase relating to "Loyalty House." Time however, was not on the Marquis's side. The King had lost the battle of Naseby by June 1645, as well as most of his experienced foot soldiers. Parliament had reorganised its forces into the new model army and was rapidly winning against the dwindling Royalist forces. On August 21st 1645, Colonel John Dalbier again besieged Basing. By now the mansion was full of royalists and well-known people, who wanted protection. Wenceslaus Hollar, Inigo Jones and Jesuit priests had sought the safety of the mansion. The summons to surrender was rejected with Lord Winchesters proud reply, "Sir, it is a crooked demand and shall receive its answer suitable. I keep this house in the right of my soveraigne and will do it in despight of your forces. Your letter I will preserve in testimony of your rebellion. Winchester." The Marchioness was equally determined when the enemy offered her leave to take out all the woman and children, to protect them from the "disorderly guns". The Marchioness replied that she thanked God she was not in that condition to accept of fair quarter, being resolved to run the same fortune as her Lord, knowing that there was a just and all-seeing judge above who, she hoped, would have an especial hand in this business. On October 15th, Oliver Cromwell attacked the house and this time after another fierce fight, Lord Winchester finally lost. He was captured with Inigo Jones and was stripped. The jubilant enemy entered the house, firing in all directions, lashing out with swords at soldiers, civilians and a young woman alike. The victors looted the house fully, taking gold, food, clothes and burning religious books and any pictures, which looked Popish. After stripping the lead from the roof, the looters were just about finished their greedy plunder when the house caught fire. Cromwell had the remains destroyed. The house had withstood the fury of so many assaults; it had bolstered the royalist’s moral even when the cause was waning. With the destruction of the house ended the valiant and loyal fight of the small garrison. Their bravery and loyalty was immense and although clouded by major engagements, should not be overshadowed. The Marquis and his wife were brought to London and imprisoned in the Tower accused of high treason. At the restoration of the Monarchy, the old Marquis received little reward for his past loyalty, effort and losses, amongst the many petitioners for rewards. Moving to Berkshire, he lived in a house, which belonged to his second wife and died in 1675. More Info? www.kingorparliament.com run by the author... Back to War Lore: The List Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by Russ Lockwood. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com