Battle of Edgehill

From Freepedia

The Battle of Edgehill (or Edge Hill) was the first pitched battle of the First English Civil War. It was fought near Kineton in southern Warwickshire on 23 October 1642. The inconclusive result denied the Royalists the chance to march on London and achieve a quick victory over the Parliamentarians, and led to three years of civil war.

On 12 October King Charles I set out with his Royalist forces from Shrewsbury heading for London. In parallel to Charles' southerly movement, the Earl of Essex with the Parliamentarian forces set out from Worcester, also headed for London. By 21 October they were barely seven miles away from each other.

Perceiving the dangers of a flanking attack, Charles was persuaded by Prince Rupert to deploy on the side of Edge Hill. Essex, unaware of their proximity, drew dangerously close before actually preparing his troops. Battle commenced in the afternoon of 23 October.

As Charles rode past his forces to raise morale, the Parliamentarian artillery opened fire. This started a mutual exchange of artillery fire that lasted for about an hour. At this point Prince Rupert started the battle properly by leading the Royalist cavalry charge, whereupon a substantial number of the Parliamentarian cavalry defected and rode off to join the Royalists. A swath was cut through the Parliamentarian infantry on that flank and they broke and ran. In a critical error, the Royalist cavalry continued in pursuit of the fleeing infantry, leaving the Royalist forces entirely unsupported.

The Parliamentarian cavalry reserve was brought up and the Royalist infantry centre, unprotected by cavalry, was cut apart from the rear. However, the Royalists managed to regroup and form a new defensive line. Essex, seeing that Rupert's cavalry were returning, and also conscious of the gathering darkness, decided to disengage.

Although neither side at Edgehill could claim a decisive victory, the result was that Charles "won" in so far as the road to London was now open to him. However, Charles did not take advantage of his opportunity. 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.