Events
Events
The Battle of East Farleigh bridge took place in 1648, during the 'Second' English Civil War. Sir Thomas Fairfax, in charge of the Parliamentarian forces (consisting of 8,000 men) was advancing towards Maidstone, and rather than go via Aylesford, he went across East Farleigh bridge. The Royalist forces, led by the Earl of Norwich, sent 3,000 of his men into Maidstone, while the others were sent to East Farleigh and Aylesford. The forces clashed at East Farleigh bridge and the Royalist forces, heavily outnumbered, quickly fell back to Maidstone, where the main battle took place. After heavy fighting which lasted several hours, the Royalists were again defeated and forced to retreat.