What was the Second Battle of Newbury?

The Second Battle of Newbury was a military engagement that occurred during the First English Civil War on October 27, 1644. It took place in Speen, adjacent to Newbury in Berkshire, England, near the site of the first battle fought there the previous year.

When did the Second Battle of Newbury take place?

The Second Battle of Newbury was fought on October 27, 1644. This date marks it as a significant event within the broader context of the First English Civil War.

Where was the Second Battle of Newbury fought?

The Second Battle of Newbury was fought in Speen, a location adjoining Newbury in Berkshire, England. The battle took place close to the site of the First Battle of Newbury.

What was the outcome of the Second Battle of Newbury?

The Second Battle of Newbury concluded indecisively. While the Parliamentarians attempted to trap the Royalist forces, they were ultimately unsuccessful in preventing King Charles I's army from retreating.

Which two main factions fought in the Second Battle of Newbury?

The two main factions that fought in the Second Battle of Newbury were the Royalists, loyal to King Charles I, and the Parliamentarians, who opposed the King's rule.

Who were the principal commanders for the Royalist forces at the Second Battle of Newbury?

The principal commanders for the Royalist forces at the Second Battle of Newbury included King Charles I himself and Prince Maurice. The Earl of Brentford served as the Lord General.

Who were the principal commanders for the Parliamentarian forces at the Second Battle of Newbury?

The Parliamentarian forces at the Second Battle of Newbury were commanded by a triumvirate: the Earl of Essex, the Earl of Manchester, and Sir William Waller.

What were the approximate strengths of the Royalist and Parliamentarian armies at the Second Battle of Newbury?

The Royalist army numbered approximately 8,500 soldiers, while the Parliamentarian army was significantly larger, estimated at around 19,000 soldiers. This numerical superiority did not translate into a decisive victory for the Parliamentarians.

What were the reported casualties for both sides in the Second Battle of Newbury?

The Second Battle of Newbury resulted in approximately 1,500 casualties for the Royalists and around 2,000 casualties for the Parliamentarians.

What modern-day location is associated with the site of the Second Battle of Newbury?

The site of the Second Battle of Newbury is now associated with the Donnington Grove Country Club. This indicates how the landscape has changed since the 17th-century conflict.

What were some significant Parliamentarian victories in early 1644 that affected the Royalist position?

In the early months of 1644, the Parliamentarians achieved important victories at the Battle of Cheriton in the south of England and the Battle of Nantwich in the northwest. These successes weakened the Royalist forces.

How did the Parliamentarian successes and the involvement of Scottish Covenanters impact the Royalist forces around Oxford?

The Parliamentarian victories and the presence of a Scottish Covenanter army in the northeast distracted the Royalists and diminished their military strength, particularly around Oxford, which served as King Charles I's wartime capital.

What strategic decision did the Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller make in June 1644 regarding their armies?

Despite disliking each other, the Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller met at Stow-on-the-Wold and decided to divide their armies. This division proved to be a critical strategic error.

Where did King Charles I escape to after his forces were threatened by Essex and Waller near Oxford?

After his forces were threatened near Oxford in early June 1644, King Charles I made a night march to escape towards Worcester.

What was the consequence of King Charles I's decision to march back to Oxford and collect reinforcements?

By returning to Oxford to gather reinforcements, King Charles I was able to gain an advantage. He then marched after the Earl of Essex's separated army, which was campaigning in the West Country.

How did King Charles I achieve a victory over Waller at Cropredy Bridge?

King Charles I achieved a victory over Sir William Waller at the Battle of Cropredy Bridge on June 29, 1644. This victory further complicated the Parliamentarian strategy.

What issues did Waller's army face after the Battle of Cropredy Bridge, and why?

After the Battle of Cropredy Bridge, Waller's army experienced significant problems, including desertions and threatened mutinies. This was partly because many soldiers were unwilling to serve far from their home regions, particularly London and the southeast.

How was the Earl of Essex's army trapped near the coast, and what was the outcome of this encirclement at Lostwithiel?

The Earl of Essex's army was trapped against the coast at Lostwithiel. Despite relying on support from the Parliamentarian navy, which was hampered by contrary winds, Essex himself escaped, but the remainder of his army was forced to surrender on September 2, 1644, losing their arms and equipment.

What role did the Parliamentarian navy play in the events leading up to the surrender at Lostwithiel?

The Parliamentarian navy was intended to support the Earl of Essex's army when it was trapped at Lostwithiel. However, contrary winds prevented the navy's ships from leaving Portsmouth, thus failing to provide the crucial assistance needed.

What was the condition of Essex's surviving infantry troops after the Lostwithiel campaign?

After the surrender at Lostwithiel, the surviving Parliamentarian infantry troops were paroled but suffered greatly from exposure and attacks by local people during their march back. Although re-equipped, only about 3,000 infantrymen, out of an initial 6,000, were fit for service.

After the victory at Lostwithiel, what were King Charles I's initial military actions?

Following the victory at Lostwithiel, King Charles I initially probed the Parliamentarian defenses around Plymouth. He then marched back across southern England to relieve several garrisons that had been isolated during his western campaign.

Which garrisons did King Charles I aim to relieve after returning from the west?

After returning from the west, King Charles I aimed to relieve garrisons including Banbury, Basing House, and Donnington Castle, which was located near Newbury.

How did Prince Rupert's actions, following his defeat at Marston Moor, affect the Royalist forces?

Prince Rupert, after being defeated at the Battle of Marston Moor, was ordered by King Charles I to march into Gloucestershire. This maneuver was intended to draw Parliamentarian armies away, but instead, it divided the Royalist forces rather than those of Parliament.

What was the Parliamentarian response to Prince Rupert's maneuver into Gloucestershire?

The Parliamentarian armies did not send any units to follow Prince Rupert when he maneuvered into Gloucestershire. This allowed Rupert's movement to divide the Royalist forces without significantly impacting the Parliamentarian army's disposition.

By mid-October 1644, how had the Parliamentarian forces positioned themselves to counter the Royalists?

By October 19, 1644, the Parliamentarian forces had converged. Sir William Waller was at Basingstoke, joined by the Earl of Manchester with the Eastern Association army the following day. The Earl of Essex also arrived with his army, composed of survivors from Lostwithiel, creating a combined force to block any Royalist advance towards London.

Which Parliamentarian commanders and armies converged at Basingstoke in October 1644?

Sir William Waller, the Earl of Manchester with the Eastern Association army, and the Earl of Essex with his army (largely comprising survivors from the Lostwithiel campaign) converged at Basingstoke in October 1644.

What significant action did King Charles I take on October 22, 1644, regarding Donnington Castle?

On October 22, 1644, King Charles I successfully relieved Donnington Castle. He also knighted and promoted the garrison commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Boys, to the rank of colonel.

Why did King Charles I decide to wait near Newbury instead of advancing on London or relieving Basing House immediately?

King Charles I decided to wait near Newbury because the combined Parliamentarian armies were too strong for him to risk an immediate advance on London or to relieve Basing House. He was waiting for reinforcements, including Prince Rupert and a detachment under the Earl of Northampton.

What were the three main strongpoints held by Charles's army around Newbury?

The three main strongpoints held by King Charles's army around Newbury were Donnington Castle to the north, Shaw House to the northeast, and the village of Speen to the west.

How did the River Kennet influence the Parliamentarian strategy?

The River Kennet prevented the Parliamentarians from executing any outflanking maneuvers to the south of the Royalist positions. This geographical feature constrained their strategic options.

What role did the River Lambourn play in dividing the Royalist positions?

The River Lambourn flowed between the Royalist forces located at Speen and Newbury and those positioned at Shaw House and Donnington Castle. This division created a gap that the Parliamentarians could potentially exploit.

Who was responsible for defending Shaw House, and which infantry commanders were under his command?

Lord Astley was responsible for defending Shaw House and its grounds. The infantry commanders under his command included his son, Sir Bernard Astley, Colonel Thomas Blagge, and Colonel Sir George Lisle.

Who was stationed at Speen, and what forces did they command?

Prince Maurice, the brother of Prince Rupert, was stationed at Speen. He commanded a mixed detachment drawn from the Royalist forces operating in the west country.

Who commanded the Royalist cavalry in reserve, and under whom were these brigades organized?

George, Lord Goring, commanded the Royalist cavalry in reserve. These cavalry forces were divided into four brigades, organized under Goring himself, Lord Wentworth, the Earl of Cleveland, and Sir Humphrey Bennett.

Who held the position of Lord General for the Royalists, and who commanded their artillery?

The Earl of Brentford, Patrick Ruthven, held the position of Lord General for the Royalists. Lord Hopton commanded the Royalist artillery.

What was the Parliamentarian plan formulated on October 26, 1644, to engage the Royalist forces?

The Parliamentarian plan involved dividing their forces. Sir William Waller was to take a large contingent on a long march to attack Speen from the west, while the Earl of Manchester would conduct a diversionary attack on Shaw House with a smaller force.

What was the specific role assigned to the Earl of Manchester's forces in the Parliamentarian plan?

In the Parliamentarian plan, the Earl of Manchester was assigned to demonstrate with 7,000 infantry against Shaw House. This was intended as a diversionary attack to occupy the Royalist defenders there.

What was Sir William Waller's assigned task, and what route did his forces take?

Sir William Waller was assigned the task of attacking the Royalist position at Speen from the west. His forces undertook a long march of approximately 13 miles (21 km) around the Royalist lines to reach their objective.

What was the intended timing for the Earl of Manchester's attack on Shaw House?

The Earl of Manchester's full-scale attack on Shaw House was intended to commence only after he heard the opening cannonade from Sir William Waller's guns attacking Speen. This coordination was crucial for the plan's success.

When did Waller's outflanking force begin its attack on Speen?

Sir William Waller's outflanking force began its attack on Speen at approximately 3 o'clock in the afternoon on October 27, 1644.

How were Prince Maurice's forces positioned when Waller's attack commenced?

When Waller's attack commenced, Prince Maurice's forces at Speen had been dispersed to forage and were caught unprepared for the assault.

What happened during the initial stages of Waller's assault on Speen?

During the initial stages of Waller's assault, Prince Maurice's forces managed to repel the first attack on Speen. However, the Parliamentarian infantry rallied and subsequently stormed the village, capturing several cannons.

Which Parliamentarian commanders led the different flanks and the center of Waller's attacking force?

In Waller's attacking force, Oliver Cromwell led the cavalry on the left flank, Philip Skippon commanded the infantry in the center, and Sir William Balfour led the cavalry on the right flank.

How did Sir William Balfour's cavalry fare against Maurice's cavalry and the Earl of Cleveland's brigade?

Sir William Balfour's cavalry routed Prince Maurice's dispersed cavalry and also defeated the Earl of Cleveland's brigade during the battle.

What checked Sir William Balfour's advance after his initial successes?

Sir William Balfour's advance was checked by fresh troops, specifically the Queen's Regiment of horse and musketeers under Sir Thomas Blagge, who were positioned along hedges east of Speen.

What was Oliver Cromwell's role in the battle, and how did his wing fare?

Oliver Cromwell commanded the cavalry on the left flank of Waller's attacking force. He was uncharacteristically slow to engage, and his wing was eventually thrown back by a charge from Lord Goring's remaining cavalry.

Why was the Earl of Manchester's attack on Shaw House delayed?

The Earl of Manchester's attack on Shaw House was delayed because he claimed that the noise of Waller's guns attacking Speen could not be heard over the ongoing artillery exchanges at Shaw House.

What was the outcome of the Earl of Manchester's attack on Shaw House?

The Earl of Manchester launched a determined attack on Shaw House just before dark, but his forces were ultimately beaten back by the Royalist defenders.

How were the casualties distributed between the two sides on the day of the battle?

On the day of the battle, casualties were heavy but roughly even between the two sides. The Royalists suffered approximately 1,500 losses, while the Parliamentarians lost around 2,000 men.

Despite holding off the Parliamentarians, why did King Charles I decide to retreat after the battle?

King Charles I decided to retreat after the battle because, despite holding his positions, his army was outnumbered and vulnerable. The loss of Speen meant his forces were exposed to another Parliamentarian attack the following morning.

What did the Royalists leave behind in Donnington Castle during their retreat?

During their hasty retreat, the Royalists left behind their wounded soldiers, along with most of their cannons and baggage, in Donnington Castle.

Clash at Speen

An analytical deep dive into the Second Battle of Newbury (1644), a pivotal engagement of the First English Civil War.

Context 📜 The Battle ⚔️

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Background

The Civil War Context

By early 1644, the First English Civil War was well underway. Parliamentarian forces had secured significant victories, notably at Cheriton in the south and Nantwich in the northwest. Crucially, they had also secured the alliance of the Scottish Covenanters, who deployed an army into northeastern England. These successes simultaneously diverted Royalist resources and weakened their hold around Oxford, King Charles I's wartime capital.

Royalist Maneuvers

In June 1644, the Parliamentarian armies under the Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller converged, threatening Oxford. King Charles I executed a strategic night march, escaping to Worcester. Following a conference at Stow-on-the-Wold, Essex and Waller fatally decided to divide their forces. While Waller shadowed the King, Essex marched west, relieving Lyme Regis and campaigning in Devon and Cornwall. This maneuver allowed Charles to return to Oxford, gather reinforcements, and subsequently defeat Waller at Cropredy Bridge on June 29th.

Essex's Defeat and Parliament's Strain

Charles then pursued Essex's isolated army, trapping it near Lostwithiel. Despite relying on naval support, adverse winds prevented timely resupply. Although Essex escaped by sea and his cavalry broke through, the remainder of his infantry surrendered on September 2nd, losing vital arms and equipment. The surviving troops suffered greatly during their subsequent march, significantly weakening Parliament's southern forces.

The Campaign Trail

Royalist Return and Reinforcement

Following the victory at Lostwithiel, King Charles I initially probed defenses at Plymouth before marching back towards Oxford. His objective was to relieve key Royalist garrisons, including Banbury, Basing House, and Donnington Castle near Newbury, which had been isolated during his western campaign. Prince Rupert, having suffered defeat at Marston Moor, was ordered to march into Gloucestershire, ostensibly to draw Parliamentarian forces away. However, this maneuver ultimately divided the Royalist forces rather than Parliament's.

Parliament Consolidates

By late October, the Earl of Essex had regrouped, incorporating survivors from Lostwithiel. He joined forces with Sir William Waller and the Earl of Manchester's Eastern Association army near Basingstoke. This combined Parliamentarian strength presented a significant obstacle to Charles's advance towards London.

Donnington Castle's Stand

On October 22nd, Charles successfully relieved Donnington Castle, a vital Royalist stronghold. He knighted its commander, Lieutenant Colonel John Boys, promoting him to Colonel. Charles aimed to relieve Basing House next, but the consolidated Parliamentarian army's strength deterred him. He opted to wait near Newbury, hoping for reinforcements from Prince Rupert and the Earl of Northampton.

Strategic Positions

Royalist Strongholds

The Royalist army established three primary defensive positions around Newbury:

Donnington Castle: North of Newbury.
Shaw House: Northeast of the town, incorporating defensive earthworks.
Speen Village: West of Newbury.

The River Kennet blocked southern flanking maneuvers, while the smaller River Lambourn separated the forces at Speen/Newbury from those at Shaw House and Donnington Castle.

Command Structure

Key Royalist commanders included King Charles I, Prince Maurice (at Speen), Lord Astley (at Shaw House), and George, Lord Goring (commanding the cavalry reserve). The Earl of Brentford served as Lord General, with Lord Hopton overseeing the artillery.

King Charles I
Prince Maurice (Speen)
Lord Astley (Shaw House)
Sir Bernard Astley, Colonel Thomas Blagge, Colonel George Lisle (Infantry under Astley)
George, Lord Goring (Cavalry Reserve)
Lord Wentworth, Earl of Cleveland, Sir Humphrey Bennett (Cavalry Brigades)
Earl of Brentford (Lord General)
Lord Hopton (Artillery)

Parliamentarian Plan

On October 26th, Parliamentarian leaders Waller and Manchester devised a plan. Recognizing the strength of the Royalist positions, they eschewed a direct assault. Instead, Manchester would feint an attack on Shaw House with 7,000 infantry, while Waller led the main force of 12,000 (including Essex's infantry, London Trained Bands, and cavalry) on a wide flanking maneuver to attack Speen from the west. Manchester was to launch his full assault upon hearing Waller's cannons.

The Battle Unfolds

Waller's Flanking Attack

Waller commenced his march late on October 26th and attacked Speen early on the 27th. Despite being caught off guard, Maurice's forces initially repelled the assault. However, Parliamentarian infantry stormed the village, capturing artillery. While Balfour routed some Royalist cavalry, they were eventually checked by reinforcements. Cromwell's cavalry wing experienced initial setbacks but rallied.

Manchester's Delay

Manchester's attack on Shaw House was delayed, reportedly because the sound of Waller's guns was muffled. When he finally launched his assault just before dark, it was repulsed with significant losses for the Parliamentarians.

Engagement Summary

The battle resulted in heavy, though roughly equal, casualties on both sides. The Royalists successfully defended their positions against the divided Parliamentarian assaults, but the strategic initiative was lost.

Second Battle of Newbury

Part of First English Civil War

Site of the battle, now Donnington Grove Country Club

Date	27 October 1644
Location	Newbury, Berkshire
Result	Indecisive

Belligerents

Royalists

Parliamentarians

Commanders and leaders

Charles I
Prince Maurice

Earl of Essex
Earl of Manchester
Sir William Waller

Strength

8,500^[a]

19,000^[b]

Casualties and losses

1,500

2,000

Consequences and Reforms

Royalist Retreat

Although tactically holding their ground, the Royalists recognized their precarious position. Outnumbered and vulnerable, Charles I ordered a strategic withdrawal towards Oxford during the night. Despite the Parliamentarians' numerical superiority, they failed to effectively block the Royalist retreat, allowing Charles's army to escape largely unmolested.

Parliament's Council and Pursuit Failure

The day after the battle, Parliamentarian commanders convened a council of war. A pursuit was eventually sanctioned, led by Cromwell and Balfour, but the Royalists had already crossed the Thames at Wallingford and reached the safety of Oxford. The pursuit was called off, and a subsequent attack on Donnington Castle by Parliamentarian forces resulted in heavy casualties, marking a failure to capitalize on the battle.

Seeds of the New Model Army

The perceived failures in command, control, and strategic execution at Newbury, particularly the inability to decisively defeat or capture Charles's army, fueled dissatisfaction among Parliamentarian leaders like Cromwell. This discontent contributed significantly to the eventual implementation of the Self-denying Ordinance and the formation of the professional, centrally controlled New Model Army in 1645, which would prove decisive in the remainder of the war.

Citations

Source Attributions

The following citations provide the basis for the information presented:

^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 184.
^ Rogers 1968, p. 131.
^ Rogers 1968, p. 162.
^ Plant, Lyme & Lostwithiel, 1644.
^ Rogers 1968, p. 164.
^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 214.
^ Plant, The Second Battle of Newbury, 1644.
^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 215.
^ Rogers 1968, p. 169.
^ Rogers 1968, p. 171.
^ Rogers 1968, p. 172.
^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 220.
^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 221.
^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 222.
^ Young & Holmes 1974, p. 223.

References

Source Materials

Plant, David (29 July 2006). "Lyme & Lostwithiel, 1644". BCW Project. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
Plant, David (27 October 2010). "The Second Battle of Newbury, 1644". BCW Project

Rogers, Colonel H.C.B. (1968). Battles and Generals of the Civil Wars. London: Seeley Service & Co. Ltd. OCLC 38806.

Young, Peter; Holmes, Richard (1974). The English Civil War. Wordsworth Military Library. ISBN 1-84022-222-0.

Further reading is available in Walter Money's "The First and Second battles of Newbury and the Siege of Donnington Castle during the Civil War, 1643–6" (1884).

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References

References

Plant, The Second Battle of Newbury, 1644.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Second Battle of Newbury Wikipedia page

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This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, synthesizing information from historical sources, primarily the Wikipedia article on the Second Battle of Newbury. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

This is not professional historical analysis. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source, the content may contain nuances or interpretations not present in the original text. Historical events are complex, and this overview provides a specific perspective derived from the source data.

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Clash at Speen

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Background 📅

🇬🇧 The Civil War Context

👑 Royalist Maneuvers

📉 Essex's Defeat and Parliament's Strain

The Campaign Trail 🗺️

↩️ Royalist Return and Reinforcement

🛡️ Parliament Consolidates

🏰 Donnington Castle's Stand

Strategic Positions 📍

🧱 Royalist Strongholds

⚔️ Command Structure

🛡️ Parliamentarian Plan

The Battle Unfolds 💥

⚡ Waller's Flanking Attack

⏳ Manchester's Delay

📊 Engagement Summary

Consequences and Reforms ⚖️

🚶 Royalist Retreat

🏛️ Parliament's Council and Pursuit Failure

⭐ Seeds of the New Model Army

Citations 📝

🔗 Source Attributions

References 📖

📚 Source Materials

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Background

The Civil War Context

Royalist Maneuvers

Essex's Defeat and Parliament's Strain

The Campaign Trail

Royalist Return and Reinforcement

Parliament Consolidates

Donnington Castle's Stand

Strategic Positions

Royalist Strongholds

Command Structure

Parliamentarian Plan

The Battle Unfolds

Waller's Flanking Attack

Manchester's Delay

Engagement Summary

Consequences and Reforms

Royalist Retreat

Parliament's Council and Pursuit Failure

Seeds of the New Model Army

Citations

Source Attributions

References

Source Materials

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice