Panoramic View of Hopton Heath Battlefield and Memorial

Description:Panoramic view of the battlefield looking east, across the Royalist positions and the direction they approached from Stafford. The battlefield memorial and information panel can be seen just inside the chain-link fencing, which marks the boundary of Ministry of Defence land.

Hopton Heath was only pitched battle of the 17th century civil wars to be fought in Staffordshire - other military action was confined to sieges (such as at Lichfield) or smaller-scale skirmishes. A Parliamentarian force advancing on Stafford was confronted by Royalist troops who were occupying the town. The fighting was marked by repeated Royalist cavalry charges and the death of their commander, the Earl of Northampton. However, the Parliamentarians withdrew from the field at the end of the fighting, abandoning their artillery which was subsequently captured by the Royalists. Both sides claimed victory, but it is largely considered indecisive by modern historians. However, the Parliamentarian aim of capturing Stafford was thwarted - although the town would later fall to them due to treachery.

The battlefield today is partly agricultural land and partly property of the Ministry of Defence. However, public footpaths crossing the area allow a good view of much of the field.