The Cavalier Pub in Michaeston Ely Cardiff

Image: © Eddie Reed Taken: 6 Feb 2010

This Pub used to have a nice graphic on its main sign outside which now seems to have disappeared. Anyway the name of the Pub derives from the Battle of St Fagans which took place nearby in 1648 between the Roundheads led by Colonel Thomas Horton and the Cavaliers under the command of Colonel John Poyer, who was Governor of Pembroke Castle at that time. Colonel Thomas Horton with a detachment of just under 3,000 well-disciplined troops from the New Model Army, was sent by Sir Thomas Fairfax to secure south Wales for Parliament and to crush the rebellion. He had one and a half regiments of Horse (cavalry), most of Colonel Okey's regiment of Dragoons and most of a regiment of Foot (infantry). Horton at first advanced westwards through Wales towards Carmarthen, but then had to march hastily to Brecon to forestall an uprising there. From Brecon, he then marched south to Cardiff, occupying the city before the Royalists could do so. His force took up quarters in and around St. Fagans, west of the city. Another army under Oliver Cromwell himself was also marching towards Wales. Laugharne was anxious to defeat Horton before Cromwell could reinforce Horton's detachment. After a brief skirmish on 4 May, he launched an attack on 8 May. Laugharne's army consisted of about 7,500 infantry but only 500 cavalry.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0