The Defence of Basing House, 1645.

For Sale is a Full Page Engraving removed from "Nine scenes from English History, after the originals designed by C.W. Cope, R.A., Danuel Maclise, R.A.,  & E.M. Ward, R.A."
Published by the "Art-Union of London."
Date- 1881.
This Engraving is called "The Defence of Basing House."
Artist- C. W. Cope.
Engraved by Goupil & Co.
Size of Engraving- 32.5cm. x 24.5cm.

                                        The Defence of Basing House, 1645.
Basing House, the mansion of Pawlet, Marquis of Winchester, stood at a small distance from Basingstoke, in Hampshire.  It had been besieged in vain for four years when "Lieut.-Genl. Cromwell, gathering all the artillery he can lay hold of, firing about200 or 500 shot at some given point till he sees a hole made, and then storming like a fire-flood, hr, perhaps. may manage it."
The particular incident represented in the picture is that when the head of the storming column, in the close order of high discipline, the foremost rank was levelled pikes, presses with irresistible resolution onwards along a terrace to the door of what, judging by the architecture and the niched statue of the Virgin and Child, is the private chapel of the mansion.   The soldiers heading this column are doubtless picked men of Cromwell's Ironsides.  A barricade has been erected before the door of the chapel, just within which a priest is seen elevating a crucifix and, with frantic gesticulations, vainly urging those within to come out to the defence.  On the nearer and lower part of the picture, other of the attacking soldiers and clambering up from the left through a moat, over the  dislodged and broken stones.  In the foreground the last hopeless struggle of some of the defenders takes place. In the centre, clad in a full suit of armour, lies an aged Royalist, who still looks indomitable, though bleeding profusely from a severe and mortal wound.

Condition of Engraving is Very Good, with a Damp stain in the Margins. (See Photo).