The Battle of Bossenden Wood: The last pitched battle on English Soil
The question “When was the last pitched battle on English soil?” has a surprising answer. It wasn’t the Second World War (the Battle of Britain was fought in the skies, not on the land). And by referring to England, I deliberately exclude the other Home Nations. No, the question refers to the last occasion on which armed forces took the ground against each other, shooting and killing soldiers and civilians.
The answer is 1838.
The location was Bossenden Wood, near Canterbury in Kent.
The little-known story behind the battle features discontented farm workers and a man whose insanity was beyond doubt, yet who captivated the hearts and minds of a lot of people who saw in him a messianic figure who promised to revolutionise their lives.
The strange story of the non-existent Sir William Courtenay, King of Jerusalem, Knight of Malta…
The leader and commander-in chief of the rebellion which culminated in the battle at Bossenden was the soi-disant Sir William Courtenay, whose real name was John Nichol Tom.
