The first major conflict of the English Civil War was fought at Edgehill, near Banbury.
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The Battle of Edgehill The first major conflict of the English Civil War was fought at Edgehill, near Banbury. |
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The Battle of Edgehill
Simplistically put, this is the reason for the outbreak of the conflict we know as the English Civil War. The Battle of Edgehill was the first major armed conflict of that war. The Battle The two armies were of approximately the same size; about 14,500 men. The Royal cavalry under Prince Rupert and Lord Wilmot pushed back the wings of the Parliamentary army, but in the centre the royal troops were themselves badly mauled. After only three hours of hard fighting neither side was able to make headway, and they broke off the fight as darkness descended. Essex considered his army too badly pulled damaged to resume the fight next day, and he pulled back his men to Warwick, leaving the road to London open to Charles' army. The Result His natural caution asserted itself, and by the time his troops reached Reading, Essex had regained London and a fresh force of men prevented any further royalist advance. Charles never again had so clear an opportunity to take London as he did after Edgehill. More British Battles
History Article and images © 2004
David Ross |
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October 23, 1642
Edgehill, Warwickshire
Parliamentary troops under the Earl of Essex vs. royal troops under
the Earl of Forth
Charles I believed strongly in the rights of the monarch to rule as
he saw fit - including raising money for his wars or for whatever
reason he saw fit. Parliament, on the other hand, believed equally
strongly in their right to approve or deny funds to the crown as they
saw fit. 
