The Siege of Hawkesley . -

Nash gives the following account of Hawkesley House and the siege

"In this Chapelry [King's Norton] on the North-side of the Lickey, about half a mile from the Turnpike road leading to Birmingham, and near three miles from Bromsgrove town, is Hawkesley House, which having been fortified and garrisoned by the rebels was taken by the King's army, May 15, 1645, and Captain Gouge the Governor, and eighty men, were made prisoners. Lord Clarendon says the number of prisoners was 120. The house at that time belonged to the Middlemores; a younger branch of the Middlemores of Edgebaston, in Warwickshire, in which family it still continues, 1779, though their property is much lessened."

Concerning the siege of Hawkesley House, the following account is taken from Mr. Richard Symonds' Journal of the King's Army, in the Harleian Library

"Sunday, May 11, 1645. The King marched from Inkborough-Magna to the rendezvous of the whole army of foot; and his Majesty, with his own regiment of foot and horse-guards only, marched to Salt-wiche [i.e. Droitwich], in Worcestershire.

The head-quarters of the army this night was at Bromsgrove.

His majesty stayed at Droitwich till Wednesday; in the meantime, his highness, Prince Rupert, set down before Hawkesley House, belonging to one Mr. Middlemore; lord Astley's tertia of foot made the approaches which were left for us with a great deal of advantage; viz., banks, a lane, and trees.

"Captain Backster of the horse was killed here, and some foot soldiers and pioneers.

"On Wednesday, about two o'clock in the afternoon the King left Wiche [i.e. Droitwich], and went with his guards to the leiguer before Hawkesley, and just as his Majesty appeared in view, it was delivered unto the mercy of the King and the officers, on condition they might be free from theinsolence of the common soldiers. In the house was found a month's provision and ammunition; but the soldiers would not fight when they perceived it was the King's army.

"The son to Dr. Gouge was the captain of foot, and governor, and Whichcot commanded the horse; there were 60 foot and above 40 horse. "After lord Astley had pillaged the house, and taken the soldiers prisoners, the house was set on fire. This night the King lay at Cofton-hall, two miles off, and afterwards marched to Hombley-hall, in Staffordshire, then inhabited by the Lord Ward."

C C