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Created | Updated Jun 28, 2006
Sir John Merricks A Regiment In The Army Or The Earl Of Essex
It all started in the spring Of 1642 when Parliament decided to raise 5 new Regiments of foot to put down the Irish uprising.
The new regiments were as follows:
- Lord Waltons
- Charles Essex
- Thomas Ballared
- William Bamfields
- Lord Kerrys
After a long delay only one regiment was sent off to Ireland, this was Lord Kerrys. The remaining 4 were transferred to the command of the Earl of Essex forming an army of some 20 regiments, the others being:
- The Earl Of Essex
- The Earl Of Stamford
- The Earl Of Peterborough
- Lord Robarts
- Lord Brooks
- Lord Mandervill
- Lord Rochford
- Lord Oliver St John
- Lord Saye and Seles
- Sir John Merricks
- Sir William Fairfax
- Sir Henry Chomlies
- Sir William Constables
- Thomas Grantham
- John Hampdens
- Denzill Holies
On Thursday 28th July 1642 work was started. London and Southwark men volunteered for service in the first 3 regiments.
On the 8th of August a force of 3 regiments as sent north to Warwickshire. And Sir John Merricks were sent south to take Portsmouth from The King.
During the period of 16th to 21st August another 17 more regiment’s were authorised to be raised in the London area.
After taking Portsmouth Sir John Merrick’s were sent north on 17th September and were the garrison of the King’s Castle in Shropshire by the 9th of October.
Merricks along with the regiments of The Earl Of Stamford, Lord Oliver St John, and Thomas Grantham were at the battle of Edge Hill on the 23rd of October 1642,the regiments of John Hampden and The Earl Of Peterborough were also at Edge Hill but were in garrison or artillery guard and missed the main fighting.
The next move for Merricks was to join up with Lord Oliver St John’s regiment (now under the command of Lt Col Tom Essex as St John was killed at Edge Hill).
Tom Essex set out for Bristol in December 1642. It appears however that Merricks left 2 companies under the command of Lloyds and Lowers at Glouster. Tom Essex war recorded as being in charge of Parliaments forces of Bristol and Bath in April 1643, but Merricks went west through Devon and Cornwall.
Merricks served well in the south west area against the army of Lord Hopton until 1643. In May 1643 the regiment was at the battle of Stratton (Bude area). Merricks suffered badly at Stratton and surrendered on terms when Exeter fell. The survivors of the regiment were allowed back to London and were incorporated in The Earl Of Stamfords regiment. This was the end of Merricks as a regiment, a short but gallant history.
Notes
- Merricks were also known as the London Grey Coats or Sir John Merrick's Regiment Of London Grey Coats and may have used the flag of the trained bands of Southwick.
- Owing to shortages of kit and many men fought in civilian clothing until as late as September 1642.
- Merricks proposed establishment was 1200 men records of October 1642 show the strength at 950 this seems to be constant until Stratton.