The most traumatic event to occur in the seventeenth century was the English Civil War.  It is safe to conclude that the war had a profound affect on the people of Houghton and Bossington, as it did on most communities throughout the country.  The war’s toll on the population was proportionately much greater than either of the world wars.  0.6% of the population died in the Second World War.  2.6% died in the First World War.  Yet, a staggering 3.6% of the population is estimated to have died in the Civil War.  The Battle of Cheriton in 1644 was the only major battle to take place in Hampshire.  Nonetheless, there were numerous skirmishes across the county during the course of the war.  Musket shot dating from the Civil War period has been discovered on land in Pittleworth and it is clear that soldiers were in this area at various times.

 

The records largely fail to record the experiences and feelings of the ordinary people.  That they suffered much is beyond doubt.  The records show that, at the very least, the conflict led to the replacement of the Parish rector.  Francis Alexander is recorded as having been “plunder’d in those Times” and was removed as Rector of Houghton.  His successor, James Sessions, was clearly no more acceptable to Parliament and was himself ejected as Rector in 1650 and replaced by a Presbyterian called Thomas Warren.  Warren remained in possession until the Restoration of the Monarchy.  He refused to comply with the Act of Uniformity of 1662 and was duly turned out of the living in August 1662.