Mass ‘Giants Grave’ In Saint Michael’s Churchyard, Great Torrington. Burial Site of Cavalier Soldiers & Royalist Prisoners Killed in Church Explosion
This large, cobbled mound known locally as the ‘Giants Grave’ is the mass grave of Parliamentarian prisoners and Royalist soldiers who were in and around Saint Michael’s Church. They were killed on February 16th 1646 when there was an explosion inside the church, caused by a spark igniting the gunpowder magazine stored here. It is thought that 63 soldiers were buried in this mound but accounts differ and there may be 67 or 68 bodies according to the source. The Battle of Torrington was the biggest battle fought in Devon. This was led by Lord Hopton for Fairfax and Cromwell and gave the Roundheads control of the South West following the confusion this explosion caused. It was normal practice at that period in history to store arms and gunpowder in church towers. The Royalists had 80 barrels of gunpowder cached here. A wreath is now laid here annually on 17th February during events to commemorate the Battle of Torrington.
Size: 6000px × 4000px
Location: Saint Michael’s Churchyard, Great Torrington, Devon, England.
Photo credit: © John Insull / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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