Sir William Pennyman’s Regiment of Foot

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Believed to be one of the first Regiments to be raised in support of the King.

Sir William Pennyman commanded a  Yorkshire Trained Band which was raised in 1639 and fought in the First Bishops War (they are believed to have worn grey coats).


This incarnation was raised in 1642, many of Sir William's Trained Band joining his regiment of volunteers.


Believed to have been at the siege of Hull, they fought at Edgehill, Brentford and were present at the Turnham Green standoff. They stormed Marlborough before taking up a garrison posting in Oxford. Venturing out of Oxford with Prince Rupert to storm Cirencester, and fight at the Battle of Caversham Bridge.

Sir William died in the Oxford 'epidemic' of August 1643 (Pennyman Papers held at Hull University  Archives). It is believed that there was a large outbreak of typhus in the Thame valley, and this was what the phrase 'the epidemic' referred to; although outbreaks of plague were also common place, so plague too is a potential contender. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography gives his death as 'consumption' (TB), so we have no definitive cause of death.

On Sir William's death command of the Regiment passed to his half-brother Sir James.


James led the Regiment at the Siege of Gloucester, First Newbury. They were part of the muster at Aldbourne Chase where from Symonds's reports we can deduce that they wore either all red, or all blue (I plumped for blue).

They went on to fight at Cropredy Bridge, Lostwithiel, Second Newbury, Ledbury, Leicester and Naseby.

Brushwork on these by Alan Tuckey, basing by my own fair hand.

Sir William, who was briefly Governor of Oxford is buried at Christ Church in Oxford.



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