THOMAS BALLARD

"COL"

BATTLE OF EDGEHILL

23 of October 1642

Who were Colonel Thomas Ballard's Regiment?

The Regiment was originally thought to have been formed in 1641 to fight in Ireland, however, the Irish Rebellion broke out on 23rd October 1641 (one year before Edgehill, wasn't that clever of them!). The king and parliament both wanted to send troops to help the protestant settlers, but neither trusted the other, fearing - correctly as it transpired - that each would likely use any troops raised against the other. The war of (mostly) words continued through the winter. The king attempted to force the issue a couple of times, in January by attempting to arrest the 'five members', then in April by attempting to seize the arms stored in Hull after the two Bishop's Wars. By spring, Parliament had had enough of Charles's shenanigans and passed the Militia Ordnance on May 5th 1642. So any troops raised by Parliament (including Thomas Ballards Regiment) must date after this period. According to Peacock, the officer list for Ballard's 'Regiment for Ireland' was very similar to that he eventually commanded at Edgehill. In October 1642 the Regiment fought with great distinction for Parliament at Edgehill, helping to avert a Royalist victory in the first of the major battles of this period.

FOR MUCH MORE ON THOMAS BALLARD AND HIS REGIMENT FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW

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