London Lobsters

in his cuirassier armour. Sir Arthur Haselrig was a prominent leader of the Parliamentary opposition to Charles I during the 1630s. When the First English Civil War began in August 1642, he formed a regiment of "cuirassiers", who wore armour covering most of their body and became known as Haselrig's "London lobsters". They were one of a small handful of similar units, since full armour had largely been abandoned at this time. Most cavalry wore only cuirasses and helmets, while equipping a cuirassier was very expensive. In 1629, cuirassier armour cost four pounds and 10 shillings, while that of harquebusiers (the standard cavalry of the time) was only one pound and six shillings. == War service ==

(in this case in the "Savoyard" style) could have been replaced by a more open form, such as the lobster tailed pot. The "lobsters" were probably the last unit to fight on English soil wearing full armour, and one of the last in Europe. They were credited with being "the first that made any impression upon the King's horse [the Royalist cavalry], who being unarmed [unarmoured], were not able to bear the shock with them; besides they were secure from hurts of the sword..." Haselrig's regiment formed the heavy cavalry in the army of Sir William Waller. Ripple Field During the Battle of Ripple Field (13 April 1643), Prince Maurice's cavalry outflanked Parliament's troops, to the west of the hill. In an attempt to try and halt the now dangerous Royalist advance Sir Arthur Hesilrig charged with his curraisers, however, was swiftly forced back. The rest of Waller's forces routed. On following the retreat of Wallace's forces, they suffered 70% casualties covering the Parliamentarian retreat. Lansdowne The "lobsters" then distinguished themselves at Lansdown on 5 July, as part of successful action of the general parliamentarian cavalry. Roundway Down At the Battle of Roundway Down, on 13 July, they met a Royalist cavalry charge at the halt, using the 'Dutch' tactic of receiving a charge by firing while stationary. After a brief clash they retreated in disorder, the Parliamentarian army losing the battle. Though they were defeated, the armour they wore apparently served them well; Haselrig was shot three times at Roundway Down, with the bullets bouncing off his armour. After firing a pistol at Haselrig's helmeted head at close range, without any effect, Richard Atkyns described how he attacked him with his sword, but it too caused no visible damage. Haselrig was under attack from a number of people and only succumbed when Atkyns attacked his unarmoured horse. After the death of his horse Haselrig tried to surrender; but as he fumbled with his sword, which was tied to his wrist, he was rescued. He suffered only minor wounds from his ordeal. This incident was related to Charles I and elicited one of his rare attempts at humour. The King said that if Haselrig had been as well supplied as he was fortified he could have withstood a siege. The Battle of Cheriton At the Battle of Cheriton on 29 March 1644 the unit attacked a royalist regiment of infantry under Sir Henry Bard. Bard's unit had advanced towards the Parliamentary cavalry, but had moved too fast and were no longer in formation with the rest of the Royalist infantry. The Lobsters saw this and Haselrig led 300 of them against Bard's regiment. The royalist regiment was completely destroyed, with all the infantry either killed or taken prisoner. Parliament eventually won the battle. == Standard or cornet ==

One of the cavalry standards, known in the 17th century as cornets, carried by the regiment is described as an anchor descending from the clouds on a green field, with the motto 'Only in Heaven'. This particular cornet belonged to Haselrig's own troop. == Legacy ==

"Sir William Waller having received from London [in June 1643] a fresh regiment of five hundred horse, under the command of sir Arthur Haslerigge, which were so prodigiously armed that they were called by the other side the regiment of lobsters, because of their bright iron shells with which they were covered, being perfect curasseers." == Notes ==