Bude-Stratton Commemorates the Battle of Stratton

On Sunday 18 May, Bude-Stratton held its annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Battle of Stratton memorial on Stamford Hill to mark the anniversary of the 1643 battle – a significant event in local and national history.

The strategically important battle, fought on 16 May 1643 during the English Civil War, saw Royalist forces repel Parliamentarian troops from Stratton, securing Cornwall for the King. The conflict lasted around eight hours and resulted in the deaths of approximately 300 Parliamentarian soldiers – several from Barnstaple and Bideford – and around 90 Royalists, who were almost exclusively Cornish.

The Mayor laid a wreath at the memorial to remember those who lost their lives during the battle and to honour the historical significance of the site.

Dating from 1713, the Battle of Stratton memorial was commissioned by George Granville, Lord Lansdowne. Although it has been altered over time and commemorates only the Royalist side, it is still considered by many to be one of Britain’s oldest known war memorials.

This annual commemoration offers a moment for reflection and remembrance, while recognising the role this historic battle played in shaping the region’s past.

Images from the ceremony can be viewed below.