Sir Michael Earnley’s Regiment of Foot

Regiment that was raised for service in Ireland, returned to Britain in late 1643 and fought for the Royalists

• Spring: Raised in England
• June: Arrive in Ireland¹⁾
• Garrison of Dublin

• November: Shipped to Mostyn, Flintshire reinforced by a detachment of Lord Ranelagh’s Regiment of Foot
• November to December: Siege of Hawarden Castle
• December: Storm of Barthomley Church?
• December: Second Battle of Middlewich

• January: Siege of Nantwich
• January: Battle of Nantwich
• March: Skirmish at Lilleshall?
• May: Storm of Stockport
• May: Storm of Bolton
• June: Siege of Liverpool
• July: Battle of Marston Moor
• September: Skirmish at Montgomery
• September: Siege of Montgomery Castle
• September: Battle of Montgomery Castle
• Garrison of Shrewsbury

• February: Loss of Shrewsbury
• October: Garrison of Bridgenorth (1 coy)

• March to April: Besieged at Bridgenorth (1 coy)

A list of the regiment's officers is also shown in An English Army for Ireland by Ian Ryder, Partizan Press.

Sir Michael Earnley or Erneley.

Sir Bernard Astley (k. 1645) was the son of Sir Jacob Astley, Sergeant Major General of the King's infantry. He served as Major of his father's regiment in the Bishops' Wars, then as Major of Erneley's regiment in Ireland. In 1643 he returned to England and became Lieutenant Colonel of the Marquis of Hertford's Foot. After the Storm of Bristol in 1643 Hertford withdrew from military command and returned to Court at Oxford, Astley being promoted to Colonel after recovery from an illness. He commanded an infantry brigade of the Oxford Army during the 1644 campaign and at Naseby in 1645. Astley then accompanied Prince Rupert to Bristol, and was mortally wounded during the Second Siege of Bristol on 4th September 1645.

Sir Michaell Ernleyes regiment ²⁾

• Colonel Sir Michaell Erneley
• Lieutenant Colonel William Gibbs
• Serjeant Major Barnard Astley,
• Captain Sir William Bronckar
• Captain Henry Bertie
• Captain Daniell Nicholls
• Captain Francis Ranger
• Captain Francis King
• Captain Thomas Long.

• Colonel Sir Michael Earneley
• Lieutenant Colonel Gibbs
• Sargeant Major Astley
• Captain Ranger
• Captain Barthu
• Captain Sir William Brounker
• Captain Long
• Captain Nichols
• Captain King

• Colonel Sir Michael Earneley
• Lieutenant Colonel William Gibbs
• Sargeant Major Bernard Astley
• Captain Francis Ranger
• Captain Sir William Brunker
• Captain Daniel Nicholls
• Captain Robert King
• Captain John Daniell formerly Captain Thomas Vaughan
• Captain Thomas Cary

• Colonel Sir Michael Earneley
• Lieutenant Colonel William Gibbs
• Sargeant Major Richard Kirkbie (1)
• Sargeant Major Francis Ranger (3) Ment. I.O.
• Captain (Thomas) Cary Ment. I.O.
• Captain William Long I.O. L + W
• Captain Pagenham Ment. I.O.

• Lieutenant Thomas Ady I.O. Wilts. to Capt. Cary
• Lieutenant James Hisland (2)
• Lieutenant John Kirk I.O. L + W to Capt. Pagenham

• Ensign Thomas Cole I.O. Salop. to Sgnt. Maj. Ranger

From original research by Victor Judge aka BCW user 1642

8th May 1643 King Charles wrote to Ormonde that Bernard Astley, Sgt. Major to Sir Michael Erneleys Regiment was in England and that his rank was to be kept open.

(1) Add. Mss. 18981 f.305

Sir, I wonder I should write six or seaven severall tymes and never receive anie answere from you but nowe hoping this will com to you, I desire you wilbee pleased to present my service to the doctor.

Sir I fynd myselfe soe dangerouslie sicke as I have putt all my forces to Sir John Girlington, and Francis Middleton I have made Lieutenant Colonell of my Troopes, whom I doubt not but you will bestowe such a grante of, when he comes to you; The Countrie was soe ill desposed and men soe sicke in Furness, that fewe men could bee raysed, onely my cozin Kirkbie, which the Maior to of Sir Michael Earnleys brought out about a hunderd men, soe not being able to give you anie further account I rest, Your humble servant John Preston Newarke this 25th of October 1644

Somewhat confusing. Richard Kirkby Captain Edward Stanton I.O. Lancaster Apparently Kirkby became Governor of Cockermouth

(2) St. Marys Shrewsbury Parish Register Christened Shusanna Daughter of Mr James Hisland, Lieutenant 9.1.1644/5

He could equally have served Colonel Billingsley's Regiment and I have therefore listed him under both regiments.

(3)Add. Mss.22085 Committee of Wiltshire f.20 Francis Ranger. Whereas we have seized more of Mr Rangers Mony, A Major in the Kings Army the sum of 28 pounds 1st October 1645

• 1642: Establishment of 1000 men³⁾
• November 1642: 400 men shipped to Flintshire