Sgt Maj Gen Lawrence Crawford’s Regiment of Foot
| Active | 1644 to 1645 |
| Country | England |
| Allegiance | Parliamentarian |
| Conflicts | First Civil War |
| Type | Foot |
| Colonel | Lawrence Crawford |
| Area Raised | Suffolk |
| Coat Colour | Blue |
| Flag Colour | Red? |
| Flag Design | |
| Field Armies | Manchester 1644-5 |
Parliamentarian regiment of foot of the Eastern Association serving at Marston Moor
Service History
1644
- February: Raised in Suffolk
- May to July: Siege of York
- 2nd July: Battle of Marston Moor - Eight companies
- July: Siege of York
- July to August: Siege of Sheffield Castle
- August: Siege of Staveley House
- August: Siege of Bolsover Castle
- August: Siege of South Wingfield
- October: Second Battle of Newbury
1645
- March: Storm of Hillesden House
- March: Ordered north to assist Brereton, may not have gone
- April: Disbanded at Beaconsfield (17th April), probably incorporated into Colonel Robert Hammond’s Regiment of Foot of the New Model Army
Notes
Coats and Flags
Crawford’s are probably the regiment referred to at Marston Moor as Manchester’s blewcoats under the bloody colours are cut off. Alternatively this might refer to Sir Miles Hobart’s Regiment of Foot but it must be noted that Hobart's Regiment were referred to as the 'Norfolk red coats' when they were at Newark in March 1644, Marston Moor was just four months later. Whilst the re-equipping of regiments did take place, there doesn't appear to be one recorded for Hobart's: whilst not definitive this would lend credence to Crawford's wearing blue coats and perhaps carrying red colours if that's what's meant by bloody colours.
Notable Officers
A list of the regiment’s officers is shown in Laurence Spring’s Regiments of the Eastern Association1)
Sgt Maj Gen Lawrence Crawford
Lawrence Crawford Presbyterian Scottish professional who commanded the Eastern Association infantry but quarrelled with Cromwell over his toleration of religious extremism in the ranks. Crawford refused to serve in the New Model Army and joined Massey's western brigade. He was killed at the siege of Hereford in August 1645.
Lieutenant-Colonel William Hamilton
Officer List
In addition to the Officers noted by Spring
- Captain William Puckle
- Captain William Disney
- Captain Richard Harvey (these three companies totalling 130 men were transferred from Sir Miles Hobart’s Regiment of Foot 10/04/45 N.A. SP28/29/15)
Strength
- January 1645: Companies varied between 18 and 60 men
See Also
- Colonel Robert Hammond’s Regiment of Foot New Model Army
