330 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



context leads us to suppose a pass over the little river ; but the 

 rivers are mere brooks. It is not impossible, therefore, that the 

 pass might be some particular situation in the road, which the ar- 

 mies must or had travelled. After the Earl had made a pretence of 

 guarding some pass, he is said to have feigned a precipitate re- 

 treat, and retired in the night; yet marched so as, at break of 

 day, his enemy could still see the rear of his army. Without 

 making arrogant pretensions to military knowledge, I think I may 

 hazard an opinion, that it is very improbable that a General at the 

 head of 5000 men could feign a retreat, so as to induce his enemy, 

 who was twice as strong, to pursue him in disorder, from an appre- 

 hension that his retreat was the effect of fear and a conscious in- 

 feriority, unless he had continued to retreat to the distance of four 

 or five miles. If we imagine a shorter distance, it is probable that 

 the enemy would have discovered his intentions. Besides, where 

 was the necessity of the Earl retiring in the night, yet marching so 

 as, at break of day, his rear could be seen by the Royalists, if he 

 had retired only half a mile or so? I think we may be justified in 

 supposing, that the two armies first met, or were within sight of 

 each other, at the distance of five or six miles from the scene of 

 action. No place can be assigned, where they were so likely to 

 approach each other, as somewhere between the field of battle and 

 Heleigh Castle, the seat of Lord Audley ; who would, of course, 

 think of defending his castle by placing his troops between it and 

 the enemy. Heleigh Castle is situate about four miles to the 

 north of the Camp-hill ; and very near the latter there is a road 

 which leads to Madeley and to Heleigh. Also, at the foot of the 

 Camp-hill, there are, or, previous to the late alterations made on 

 the common by inclosures and cultivation, there were to be seen 

 the vestiges of an old road, which took a southward direction, and 

 passed by the foot of the Byrth-hill, and from thence towards the 

 village of Maer. From the latter place is an old road to Ashley, 

 which lies in the direct way, or nearly so, to Blore-heath, where 

 the battle was fought. It is not improbable that this track was 

 the ancient road, or one of the principal old roads from Heleigh 

 to Drayton. In which case the Byrth and Camp-hills may be 

 considered as stations in the direct road between Heleigh Castle 

 and the scene of action. However, from the above considerations, 

 I have indulged an opinion, that Lord Audley was encamped on 

 that part of Maer-common called the Camp-hill ; and that the 

 Earl of Salisbury was posted on the Byrth-hill, opposite to Lord 



