Captain Richard Atkyns shoots Sir Arthur Haselrigge in the head at the battle of Roundway Down, 13 July 1643. Atkyns wrote about the incident in his journal:
"He discharged his carbine first, but at a distance not to hurt us, and afterwards one of his pistols, before I came up to him and missed with both: I then immediately struck into him, and touched him before I discharged mine; and I'm sure I hit him, for he staggered, and presently wheeled off from his party and ran. I came up to him, and discharged the other pistol at him, and I'm sure I hit his head, for I touched it before I gave fire."
Fortunately for Sir Arthur, his armour was so thick all the bullets and swords bounced off. After Atkyns shot his horse Arthur tried to surrender, but was rescued while fumbling with his sword, which was tied to his wrist. When he heard of the incident Charles I cracked one of his few recorded jokes: the king remarked that if Haselrig had been as well supplied as he was fortified he could have withstood a siege.
Boom! Boom!
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