At the end of July 1648 a force of cavaliers from Pontefract took Lincoln, released prisoners from the jail and withdrew in the direction of Grantham. Colonel Rossiter (Parliamentarian) raised a force ... caught up with the Royalists ... and forced them to make a stand "in a large bean field at Willoughby" (05/07/1648). (1)
The fight at Willoughby Field 05/07/1648 ws a major skirmish or minor battle of cavalry (with c 1000 men on each side) and a Parliamentary victory. Very few people were killed. The exact battlefield is uncertain, but the initial engagement is more likely to have been at SK 6430 2570 (L361) - a good cavalry site, and the Royalists had time to choose suitable ground - than at the alternative site SK 6310 2560 (L282). (2)
Eelpool field as the site of the battle is obviously a local tradition. Thoroton and Kelly's Directory give date and "Willoughby Field" only. (4)
This was a fluid cavalry engagement, precise site cannot be determined. (5)
See L361and L282 for alternative locations suggested by (2).

<1> Thoroton Society, 1902, TTS, pp 53-54 (Published document). SNT329.

<2> Thoroton Society, 1913, TTS, pp 145 - 162 (Published document). SNT339.

<3> Firth CH (ed), 1885, Lucy Hutchinson: Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson (Published document). SNT688.

<4> OS Archaeology Division, 1916, NE Revn ONB Notts 50, 15 (Unpublished document). SNT981.

<5> Colquhoun FD, 1975, Pers Comm (Personal comment). SNT583.