Green Lane in Ledbury was the Worcester Road until a few hundred years ago. It was the main road during the English Civil War.
Colonel Massey (Roundhead) besieged Ledbury as a means to delay the Cavalier attack on Gloucester
April 22nd 1645. Prince Rupert was amassing a force of 6,000 men to march on Shrewsbury and had withdrawn the Cavalier defenders of small towns in Herefordshire and Gloucester. To delay Prince Rupert, Colonel Massey, the Roundhead leader of Gloucester, besieged Ledbury. As anticipated Prince Rupert did come to the aid of Ledbury but, instead of arriving later it was decided that the Cavalier force march through the night to catch the Roundheads by surprise.
The Roundheads were defeated because of the night march tactic. Many died but some escaped. Some might have escaped along Green Lane and along the lane which crosses it. The name of that lane is Cut Throat Lane. Some reckon it is so named because escaping Roundheads were captured and had their throats cut.
Music Inspired by Green Lane
Click here for a link which takes you to a site with a picture of Green Lane in Ledbury. Green Lane inspired the music you can listen to when you're there - just press play. We were pleasantly surprised - chill out and share one person's experience captured by their music.
