Musket ball holes, Abbotsbury church

Less than 400 years ago, Englishmen slaughtered Englishmen in the pitched battles of the Civil War. There were many smaller skirmishes as well, including one in Abbotsbury, which was held for the King by the Strangways family. In 1644 the Parliamentarians attacked the village. Some of the Royalist garrison hastily retreated to the church of St Nicholas, where the battle continued. Today, when the preacher mounts the pulpit, behind them in the panel supporting the canopy are two holes made by musket balls, identifiable in the photo by the lighter background showing through them.

 After a six-hour fight, the Parliamentarians took the village, but as they entered the Strangways’ manor house, a store of gunpowder exploded, killing 60 of them.

 Nearest postcode: DT3 4JJ
OS reference: SY577852
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