DEFEATING A ROYALIST FORCE IN THE MIDLANDS CHARLES’ LAST ROLL OF THE DICE

After the New Model Army's pacification of the West Country in early 1646, the force moved to besiege Oxford, where the king was headquartered. Charles I left the city in disguise, avoiding the Parliamentarians, and surrendered to the Scottish commander David Leslie besieging Newark. Leslie took the king to Scotland. With the collapse of the Royalist cause, the English Civil war was over, for now.

By David Davies

Both the Scottish and English parliaments wanted peace, and they drew up a list of concessions for the king. Charles I, however, had other plans, and he stalled, buying time while secretly negotiating with the Scots. Meanwhile, the English parliament divided into three factions. The Royalists supported the restoration of the king, the English Presbyterians wanted to promote their faith, and the Independents – a growing faction – believed (correctly) that Charles had no intention of making concessions and also opposed reforming the church. This faction backed the New Model Army; it had been the instrument to bring down the king and would be so again if Charles I attempted to raise an army. The New Model Army became a pawn in the factional infighting. While the arguments raged, the army wasn't…

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Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy (Digital) - 1 Issue, WSS 123

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