Site of the Battle of Maidstone - 1st June 1648

You would not guess this now, but this is Gabriel's Hill, a site of the last desperate stages of the Battle of Maidstone between the Royalists under the leadership of the Earl of Norwich and the Parliamentary Army led by Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Kent was a significant area of Royalist uprising in the second English Civil War. The Earl of Norwich had 10,000 troops in Kent and they were assembled on Penenden Heath to the north of the town. Many of these troops were dispatched to other towns in Kent, leaving a force of only 2000 men in the town. The Parliamentary forces were also divided, with Cromwell occupied in suppressing a rebellion in South Wales, leaving Fairfax with 6000 men to deal with the uprising in Kent.

Fairfax arrived in Maidstone easily and relatively unscathed, and early skirmishes began on Penenden Heath. Owing to the ease of Fairfax's march across mid Kent apparently the Earl of Norwich did not realise the significance of these attacks until late afternoon when Fairfax decided to use his advantage to storm the town itself from the south side.

The battle moved into a phase of intense fighting in heavy rain, street by street and 'inch by inch' as each Royalist barricade was ferociously defended. The battle lasted for the rest of the day with the Royalists retreating towards Gabriel's Hill, then Week Street before their last position in St Faith's Churchyard. Fairfax finally overcame fierce resistance to take command of the town just after midnight during a raging thunderstorm.

It's a shame that such a pivitol battle should be marginalised in the town. Admittedly there is an information board nearby describing the events of 1st June 1648 but the street itself, scene of such horror, death and history is so nondescript in the 21st century. Street furniture, including the "in your face" No Entry signs and shop signs spoil what is essentially a very photogenic street, curving downhill and into the distance. Surely the Council could make something of this street and give it an atmosphere and appearance which reflects its status?