Pembroke 1648

1648 was a big year for Pembroke - we were at war! There have been many civil wars in our history and Pembroke was often in the thick of it. The 17th century struggle 1642-48 was the last, and at its end Pembroke bowed out of national affairs, its power broken with the destruction of much of its castle and town walls.

Guided Civil War Walks

This was the dramatic story told by Terry John who led the first of his Civil War guided walks last week. I must say it was a sweltering hot day, but not to be deterred, Terry led the way and recounted events that happened all those years ago, pointing out where they had taken place. "When the Civil Wars began in 1642, most of Wales declared for the King," Terry told us, "but led by its influential Mayor, John Poyer, Pembroke was one of the few strongholds that declared an allegiance to Parliament. Threatened with attack and often short of supplies, the castle and its garrison held out until the summer of 1645 when King Charles became a prisoner of Parliament and the fighting ended in an uneasy peace.  Pembroke, however, still had a surprising and dramatic part to play in the nation's fortunes. With King Charles a prisoner, Parliament began to disband some of its regiments. Many soldiers, however, were owed large amounts of back pay and officers, who had used their own money to equip the troops, were heavily in debt. John Poyer claimed to have spent most of his fortune in Parliament's service and in 1648, he demanded compensation. He refused to hand over control of Pembroke Castle to Parliament and declared for King Charles."

Poyer's last stand

Terry's walk took us up the Main Street to the castle which stood defiant first against the King and then against Parliament. "Poyer's stand attracted discontented Royalists," Terry continued and they began making their way to Pembroke. Anxious to smother the flames of revolt, Parliament sent Oliver Cromwell and a large force of soldiers to Pembroke. Our walk then led us around the castle where Terry pointed out where Cromwell established 'The Camp of the Leaguer' on St. Daniel's Hill towards the end of May 1648, and a smaller one in Monkton. "For the next six weeks, Pembroke endured a long and bitter siege. On one occasion, Parliamentary troops forced an entry into the town and a battle took place along Main Street in which 130 men were killed. A few days later, the town was battered by mortar fire and over 30 people died. Along the Millpond, we looked towards Golden Hill where Cromwell had established a further camp to the north of the town. Then, back up to the Main Street we stopped at John Francis, Estate Agents, said to be Poyer's town house and 29 Main Street, formerly the York Tavern, where Cromwell was reputed to have stayed following the siege. For the first time in its history, Pembroke Castle capitulated faced with dwindling supplies and with no help in sight. On July 11, 1648, the siege was formally ended. John Poyer along with two other leading protagonists, Rowland Laugharne and Rice Powell, were tried for high treason. All were found guilty, but only Poyer suffered the death penalty.

The final act

There is a story that while all three men were condemned to death, the Council of State decided on leniency. Only one man need die and it was ordered that lots should be drawn to decide which prisoner would be executed. Three pieces of paper were prepared - on two of them were the words 'Life given by God', while the other was blank. A child drew the lots. Poyer was handed the blank paper and he declared 'Son est contra me' - 'Fate is against me'. Poyer was shot at Covent Garden in April 1649. 

Hooked on the Civil War

Terry is a well-known and respected historian. By profession a teacher, Terry subsequently became education officer for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, also acting as a guide in the park's walks and talks programme. After retirement, he continued to do this for local organisations, as well as teaching history in adult education. A popular speaker, he has given talks to the history society. Terry is an expert in the Civil War period, and not only has he written books on the subject, but is a leading light in the Sealed Knot which was seen last weekend in Pembroke Castle. I asked Terry where the interest came from. "One of the events organised by the National Park was a bus tour based on the battle of Colby Moor, which was fought in 1645 between Royalist and Roundheads. On the very first tour, several local members of the Sealed Knot Society turned up in costume and I was hooked. I joined the Knot in 1996, when I took early retirement from the National Park, and I've been a member ever since."

The Sealed Knot

The Sealed Knot is a charity with some 5,000 members which re-enacts life during the Civil War. It provides education support and commemorates the story of the Civil War, an important chapter in the nation's history. The Sealed Knot holds events all over the country, and regularly visits Pembroke Castle. You'll normally find Terry in the living history encampment, working as a limner. He tells me that a limner specialised in painting miniature portraits on vellum and that he uses all the materials that would have been used four hundred years ago. So an accomplished artist as well!

Guided Walks

Terry is repeating the Civil War walks each Wednesday afternoon until August 20. Meet him outside the Town Hall at 2 pm - there is a small charge and all money will go towards the museum funds. You can book a place at Pembroke Town Hall on 01646 683092 or just turn up. In the museum, we are selling a booklet on these events which Terry produced for the Pembroke Civic Trust. Just £1. We also have a very interesting artefact dating from this time - the Cat Stone: no room to tell the story here, come and take a look! The museum, which is purely voluntary, always welcomes donations of photographs, memorabilia, artefacts - and volunteers to man it! It is open daily from 10 am to 3 pm, 10 am to 12.30 on Fridays.

Other events

Flower Festival at Monkton Priory Church from August 10-17 on the theme of War Poems. Floral displays, raffles, refreshments, light lunches. The history society is taking part. Talk by Mr. Harry Mount on 'The Loveliest Buildings in Pembrokeshire' on Wednesday, August 13, at 7 pm, at Warren Church. All welcome, free entry, retiring collection.