English Civil War Battles Notes

Edgehill 1642

  • Forces:

    • Roundhead army: 12,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry, 30 cannons
    • Cavalier army: 10,000 total, 20 cannons

  • Battlefield Positioning:

    • King Charles's army was positioned at the top of a steep hill providing a strategic advantage; Lord Essex hesitated to attack uphill.

  • Rupert's Charge:

    • Prince Rupert led a charge against Roundhead soldiers under Sir Fortesque, who defected in fear of the cavalry.
    • This caused chaos among Roundhead forces, leading many to flee.
    • Rupert then rode past the battle into a nearby village instead of attacking further.

  • King's Encouragement:

    • Charles personally rallied his foot soldiers during the battle.

  • Aftermath:

    • Neither army could continue fighting the next day. King resumed march towards London, establishing headquarters in Oxford.
    • Essex's army reached London first, preventing Rupert at Turnham Green, resulting in no definitive winner; Parliament remained at a disadvantage.

  • Oxford Treaty:

    • Negotiated by Parliament for peace, offering a mild version of the Nineteen Propositions with added clauses against Roman Catholics.

  • King's Correspondence:

    • Leaked letters with the Earl of Newcastle indicated Charles encouraged Catholic recruitment in Northern armies.
    • Charles downplayed these concerns, insisting they made matters worse.

  • Charles's Confidence:

    • Charles believed he was winning the war and sought to revoke all concessions made to the Long Parliament.

Newbury/Siege of Gloucester 1643

  • Forces:

    • 10,000 Roundheads returning to London after defeating Cavaliers at Gloucester.

  • Cavalier Blockade:

    • Charles’s army blocked their path back to London, spreading across Newbury to prevent passage.

  • Battle Dynamics:

    • The Roundheads had the superior position but saw impatience from Rupert who attacked prematurely, leading to a Roundhead victory.

  • Outcome:

    • Roundheads succeeded in holding back Cavalier forces as Charles retreated to Oxford; Parliament risked its best field army to save the city.

Battle of Marston Moor 1644

  • Forces & Leaders:

    • Date: July 2, 1644
    • Roundhead army: 28,000 men
    • Cavalier army: 18,000 men
    • Key figures: Prince Rupert, Lord John Byron, Oliver Cromwell, Duke of Newcastle.

  • The Encounter:

    • Prince Rupert entered York on July 1st, prompting battle initiation at Marston Moor.
    • Cavalier commanders were impatient for battle, leading to disarray when they were not fully organized.

  • Failed Attacks:

    • Lord Byron ordered an attack without complete readiness, failing against Cromwell’s forces.
    • Prince Rupert's forces were flanked on both sides, leading to a breakdown in the center of the Cavalier line due to panic.

  • Outcome:

    • The Roundheads emerged victorious, significantly weakening King Charles’s influence in Northern England.

Battle of Naseby 1645

  • Formation of the New Model Army:

    • Unified under new professional commanders rather than political leaders; Sir Fairfax became Lord General.
    • Training relied on battlefield experience but hampered by the purge of officers through the Self-denying Ordinance.

  • Strategic Movements:

    • Fairfax pursued Charles after abandoning the siege of Oxford; the Royalists sacked Leicester.

  • Battle Strategy:

    • Despite a favorable position for the King, he engaged in battle at Naseby against a nearly double-sized parliamentary force.

  • Cavalry Engagement:

    • Rupert led successful charges but took too long to regroup after being drawn away to pursue retreating enemies.

  • Outcome:

    • Parliament won decisively, resulting in 1,000 dead and 4,500 captured for the loss of only 200.

  • Aftermath:

    • Rupert surrendered Bristol to Parliament; Charles acted against him in anger, exiling Rupert.
    • Charles planned to consolidate forces with Montrose for a Scottish defense.