Oliver Cromwell, acknowledging the justice of the…

Oliver Cromwell, acknowledging the justice of the soldiers' financial grievances, defuses the pay issue and secures ten thousand pounds towards payment of arrears from Parliament, but four hundred  troopers under the command of Captain William Thompson who are sympathetic to the Levellers set off from Banbury, where they are billeted to speak with other regiments at Salisbury about their political demands.

Major White is sent by Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax to mediate with Thompson's troops and give assurances that force will not be used against them.

Cromwell on May 13 launches a night attack, however.

Several mutineers are killed in the skirmish.

Captain Thompson escapes only to be killed a few days later in another skirmish near the Diggers community at Wellingborough.

After being imprisoned in Burford Church with the other mutineers, three other leaders are shot on May 17, 1649: Cornet James Thompson (William Thompson's brother), Corporal Perkins and John Church.

This destroys the Leveller's power base in the New Model Army, which by now is the major power in the land.

Although Walwyn and Overton are released from the Tower, and Lilburne is tried and acquitted, the Leveller cause has effectively been crushed.