Book 82

Edgehill 1642

by Keith Roberts and John Tincey

Published 15 February 2001

This, the first ever Osprey campaign title to deal with the English Civil War, looks at the battle of Edgehill, the first major clash of the Wars. In 1642 both Royalists and Parliamentarians expected that one great contest of arms would see the crushing of their enemies. In the morning after their field armies blundered into contact on 22 October 1642, the tide of battle swept Prince Rupert's cavalry to triumph, but saw victory snatched away as the Royalist infantry was hurled back by the defiant Parliamentarians. The chance for decisive victory was lost and the bloody civil war raged on.

The battle of Edgehill was the first major clash of the English Civil Wars. In 1642 both Royalists and Parliamentarians expected that one great contest of arms would see the crushing of their enemies. When their field armies blundered into contact on the evening of 22 October 1642, Prince Rupert urged King Charles to array his army on the great ridge of Edgehill and give battle. The next day, amidst abject cowardice and absolute courage, the tide of battle swept Rupert's cavalry to triumph, but saw victory snatched away as the Royalist infantry was hurled back by the defiant Parliamentarians. The chance for decisive victory was lost and the bloody civil war raged on. This first-ever English Civil War campaign title from Osprey uncovers remarkable new evidence to transform the accepted view of this key battle.


Book 116

First Newbury 1643

by Keith Roberts

Published 15 January 2003
Newbury 1643 is one of the decisive campaigns of the English Civil War, marking a turning point in the course of the conflict. This work shows that the battle of Newbury represented the last realistic chance for the king to win a military victory over Parliament. When on 10 August 1643, King Charles summoned the City of Gloucester to surrender, the city's only hope lay in a relief expedition from London and the Earl of Wessex was forced to send his weakened army to face the king. The two forces met at Newbury and the Londoners more than held their own against the best of the king's cavalry. After a battle both the armies withdrew in good order, the King returning to Oxford. The capital was secure, her people committed to Parliament and the King's cavalry were no longer invincible - the balance of power had shifted irretrievably.