In the autumn 1642 the tense relationship between Charles I and Parliament erupted in Civil War. In late 1642 hastily erected small forts were built at strategic [points around the City of London, Westminster and Southwark.
In early 1643, as the imminent threat of Royalist invasion subsided, Parliament ordered the construction of a mighty ring of 30+ Forts joined by Lines of Communication some 12 miles in extent.
The defences stood until 1647 when ironically Thomas Fairfax at the head of the Parliamentary New Model Army marched into London and ordered the destruction of the fortifications.
The locations of the Civil War Defences of London have been a troublesome issue for many years. The locations given by an 18th century map have formed the basis of the projected 12 mile circuit.
These have been repeatedly examined by archaeologists. However, no credible Civil War defensive structures have been found. MW Projects were commissioned by Historic England and partially by Southwark & Lambeth Archaeological Excavation Committee to undertake a study of the defences. The research has demonstrated that the 18th century map was incorrect and the accepted design of the defences, a bank and ditch, was also incorrect. As a result, almost the entire defensive circuit has been relocated. All previous historical accounts of the defences are wrong.
Peter Mills, whose excavations have included Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the old Royal Mint by the Tower of London, co-founded Mills Whipp Projects, an archaeological consultancy advising developers across the UK. He is researching the post-medieval growth of inner London as well as pursuing the line of the Civil War Defences.