Page 76 - History of War - Issue 25-16

THE NEW MODEL

but remembered by history as the ‘Ironsides’. was to have 22,000 men in which there would
This force was at irst composed of determined be 12 regiments of foot – 1,200 men in each
Puritan farmers, deliberately chosen for their section. Each regiment would contain two-thirds
strict religious resolve. Cromwell’s training musketeers and one-third pikemen. Additionally,
of his Ironsides made him stand out against there would be 11 cavalry regiments, one
other commanders, particularly his Royalist regiment of dragoons and an artillery train of
counterparts. He followed the common practice 50 guns. The highly experienced Sir Thomas
of arranging his cavalry in three ranks, while Fairfax would command the army and Philip
leading them forward for impact rather than Skippon the infantry.
irepower. However, he also encouraged his In April 1645, Cromwell forced through the
troops to charge in close formation, riding ‘Self-Denying Ordinance’ bill, preventing MPs in
knee-to-knee – a tactic already familiar in the House of Lords and Commons from holding
Right: Sir
Europe, but entirely new to English shores. military positions. Essex and Manchester Thomas
Cromwell quickly became an ambitious resigned, but Cromwell, as MP for Cambridge, Fairfax was
professional soldier and his Ironsides an asset was considered too important and so kept the talented i rst
commander-in-chief
on the battleield. his command. Fairfax made Cromwell the
of the New Model Army. The
Cromwell’s cavalry played a notable part commander of the cavalry, with the Ironsides decisive Battle of Naseby was won
in the Parliamentarian victory at the Battle forming the nucleus of parliament’s force. The under his command
of Marston Moor on 2 July 1644. Unlike their New Model Army was born.
Royalist counterparts, the Ironsides stayed Cromwell and Fairfax quickly developed the hindered by factional ini ghting at Charles I’s
on the battleield after their initial charge and New Model into an eficient force. In a unique court in Oxford, where key decisions often
attacked the Royalist infantry. This show of move for the period, oficers were appointed ended in confused squabbling.
discipline secured the north of England for and promoted on merit rather than social Key to the strength of the New Model was
parliament and sealed Cromwell’s reputation. standing. Like Colonel Pride, a former brewer, its highly religious outlook. Cromwell believed
Nonetheless, the army was still commanded these oficers also often came from humble that military victory was the outcome of God’s
by incompetent nobles who did not follow up origins. Discipline was strictly enforced but will. He wanted the army to “valiantly i ght the
Marston Moor with similar victories, much soldiers were compensated with regular pay. Lord’s battle” as “an army of saints”. To that
to Cromwell’s frustration. After the Earl of Infantrymen were paid eight pence a day while end, recruits were drilled using a book called
Manchester failed to chase Charles I to Bath the cavalry received two shillings, as they had The Soldier’s Catechism. This instilled the
at the Second Battle of Newbury, Cromwell to supply their own horses and pay for their troops with a sense of divine mission. One of
decided that the existing commanders had to upkeep. The New Model’s structure was also the i rst questions in the book asked: “What
be replaced by professionals. He was not alone well organised. Oficers undertook speciic are the principal things required of a soldier?”
in this view – another Roundhead commander, duties, such as the administration of justice The answer was: “That he be religious and
Sir William Waller, wrote to parliament stating: and the acquisition of supplies. These tasks Godly.” Additionally, the men were encouraged
“Till h l h ll under a uniied to be honest, principled, politically motivated
yalists were and sober. They were fed propaganda that the
“This show of discipline secured the

north of England for parliament and
sealed Cromwell’s reputation”

Left: Oliver Cromwell. MP Cromwell’s Ironsides were instrumental in the
for Cambridge and militant Parliamentarian victory at Marston Moor in 1644
Puritan. Cromwell was
chiel y responsible for
the success of the New
Model Army

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