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www.stmichaelstorrington.org.uk...
“This Church was blowen up with powder Febr ye 16th Anno 1645 and rebuilt Ao 1651”.
This happened during the Battle of Torrington, which was the biggest battle ever fought in Devon, when Fairfax and Cromwell defeated the Royalist army under Lord Hopton, thereby ultimately gaining command of the South West. The Royalists who held the town had stored 80 barrels of gunpowder in the church. The Roundheads as they captured new ground looked for a suitable place for their prisoners and shut them up in the church. Somehow the explosion resulted, with great loss of life. In the churchyard a cobbled mound covers a mass grave.
Experts differ over how much of the church was destroyed in 1645. Experience of blitzed churches inclines one to think that reports of the damage were exaggerated. The PILLARS at the east end of the nave must be the work of the 14th century, while the solid square pillars farther west are presumably the work of 1651. The blast came from the south transept (the old tower) in a north-westerly direction.
The North Devon Journal has contacted Torridge and North Devon district councils in an effort to confirm the BBC report.
The Home Office has not confirmed the BBC report, which said 50 to 70 youngsters – mostly teenagers – were on their way to a hostel near Great Torrington.
Read more at www.northdevonjournal.co.uk...
The Royalists who held the town had stored 80 barrels of gunpowder in the church.
1971 - Worlds Tallest Bonfire
www.torrington-cavaliers.co.uk...
Great Torrington has always been a "different" town.
www.bbc.co.uk...
The Battle of Torrington marked the end of Royalist resistance in the Westcountry and led to the eventual defeat and execution of King Charles I.
originally posted by: Kester
It's no mistake they've chosen Torrington. This will be a remarkable failure in care for war refugees. It has to be deliberate. No chance could lead to this. The history and 'vibes' of the town are why it was chosen.
www.bbc.co.uk...
The Battle of Torrington marked the end of Royalist resistance in the Westcountry and led to the eventual defeat and execution of King Charles I.
www.bbc.co.uk...
Devon County Council says 23 children from the "Jungle" camp have arrived at the temporary centre near Great Torrington.
The youngsters - who are all believed to be male and under the age of 18 - arrived by bus at about 03:00 BST.
The migrants, originally from Afghanistan, Sudan and Syria, could stay in Devon for up to six weeks.
It's believed they will receive medical checks before they are reunited with family members or moved to other parts of the country.