Hampshire Papers Series 2

No 14: First Line of Defence: Hessian troops in Hampshire 1756
by Bill Hoade and Tom Watson

In the 21st century, the thought of German troops coming to England to defend against a potential invasion would be anathema. Yet this is what happened in the mid-18th century at the outset of the Seven Years’ War with France and Austria.

The main action of that war was in North America. It included the fall of Quebec and the defeat of the French in that conflict. At the outset of the war, the South of England was exposed to attack and only lightly defended as the professional army was elsewhere. So, George II and his government, led by the Duke of Newcastle, called in 20,000 troops from allied German states.

This monograph tells the story of the Hessian troops who came to the central South in 1756 to be the first line of defence. After initially being quartered in several centres, they came together at Winchester in July 1756 where they spent five months in an encampment at Barton Farm, on the northern side of the cathedral city and county capital.

This study explores the context of the Hessian’s deployment and traces its story from early 1756 until their return to northern Germany in April 1757. It also considers Winchester’s subsequent role as a centre for militia training until the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763.

Hampshire Papers, Series 2, No 14 ISBN 978-0-907473-27-5

Please download the form, complete and send it, along with your cheque, to the address given to purchase a copy.