FOR KING & KINGDOM

n their fifteen-month existence from the Battle of Marston Moor to October 1645, the Northern Horse developed an unrivalled reputation both for notorious behaviour off the battlefield and for their bravery and elan in the face of the enemy. One of their most famous exploits was their march on Pontefract Castle in early 1645, the success of which briefly reawakened hopes of a Royalist revival in northern England.

By David Hiscocks

Following the Battle of Marston Moor, the survivors of the Royalist army scattered amidst recriminations and political infighting. After many trials and tribulations, on 1 November 1644, the Northern Horse, commanded by Sir Marmaduke Langdale, arrived at Stow-on-the-Wold. Finally united with the king's army, they were reequipped and probably reorganized into two brigades, about 1500 men in total. The tactical unit was the squadron, theoretically about 200 men strong, each usually comprising the remains of multiple regiments. Desertion had been rife on the march south, so the Northern Horse had an unusually high number of officers, leading to command and control issues as well as disciplinary problems. Anxious to return to the north to revive Royalist (and their own) fortunes, in February 1645 the men of the Northern Horse petitioned the…

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Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy (Digital) - 1 Issue, WSS 126

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