"1642          King Charles I establishes his capital at Oxford. Benson now in war zone, with Parliament forces in Henley and Reading, but Royalist troops frequenting the Red Lion. King Charles issues orders from his "Court at Benson".

1643          Prince Rupert attacks a force of Parliamentary troops, probably near Rokemarsh, pursues them, and John Hampden is fatally wounded in Battle of Chalgrove. Siege of Reading. Ralph Verney, Benson’s Lord of the Manor goes into exile for ten years."  ..................

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