Battle of Sourton Down

Battle of Sourton Down
Part of the First English Civil War
Sourton Down; the hedges and landscape helped the Parliamentarian ambush
Date 25 April 1643 Location near Okehampton, Devon 50°42′18″N 4°03′36″W / 50.705°N 4.060°W / 50.705; -4.060 Result Parliamentarian victory
Belligerents
Royalists	Parliamentarians
Commanders and leaders
Sir Ralph Hopton Lord Mohun Sir Bevil Grenville Sir Nicholas Slanning	James Chudleigh
Strength
c. 3,000 infantry 300 cavalry 300 dragoons 4 guns	c. 108 cavalry 1,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
60 dead[1]	Minimal

The Battle of Sourton Down took place on 25 April 1643, near Sourton, in Devon, during the First English Civil War. A Parliamentarian force under James Chudleigh defeated a Royalist army under Sir Ralph Hopton. Casualties on both sides were light, and the result had little impact on the strategic position in the West Country.

Hoping to surprise their opponents, the Royalist army undertook a night march on the Parliamentarian base in Okehampton. However, they in turn were ambushed by a small force of cavalry led by Chudleigh, and routed. Hopton was forced to abandon most of his baggage and supplies, but won a decisive at Stratton three weeks later.