32 



The outline of a field work may still be clearly traced on 

 Ludnam's Hill, near to Mr. Pakky's churcli, and two cannon 

 balls found on or near tbe spot, and 'still in Mr. Paeet's 

 possession, together with the relics discovered at the Cross 

 Hands, when the road was diverted, sufficiently identify the 

 site of the battle referred to by Samuel Colwall, and the 

 trenchments which he described on the Newent road, near the 

 three mile stone, are obviously those thrown up to command 

 that road, as recorded in the Bibliotheca Gloucestrensis, page 34. 



The events of the 24th March, 1643 are thus sufficiently 

 established, 1st by Local Traditions ; 2nd by Historical evidence j 

 3rd by Existing and recently discovered Relics of the Fight. 



It is true that the tragic scene which has been supposed by 

 some to have given its name to the Bridge is not amongst the 

 historical details we yet possess, but an unbroken tradition, 

 and the relics tell the same tale, and are supported by legitimate 

 inference drawn from such facts as may be considered to be 

 established. 



It is also true that the name of Eudford nowhere occui's in 

 the records, but S^xtoit's maj), the only one which could have 

 been in use does not place Rudford and Highnam in such juxta- 

 position as to require that it should be mentioned. 



Waller tells us himself in his letter that he crossed the 

 Severn at Framelet Ferry, and forthwith to Huntley, and so to 

 Highnam. Now he could only have approached Highnam from 

 "Framelet" by way of Huntley for the purpose of getting 

 round and behind the Welsh army, which was thus taken in a 

 trap — for with Masses in front, the Severn on the one side, 

 and the Leadon on the other, it was only necessary to possess 

 the Ross and Newent roads, and there was " no ways to escape 

 them." To effect this object Waller had only to march part 

 of his force from Huntley through Tibberton to the Newent 

 road, about three miles. But the old road, which is still used 

 as a farm road, would bring him straight to the little hillock, 

 aiow much reduced in height (having been first cut down by the 

 Canal Company and since by the present owner,) which com- 

 manded the Highleadon passage, and on which the skeletons 



