Page 74 - All About History - Issue 33-15

Greatest Battles

The Royal Army 01 The road to Naseby
June 1645 and the civil war is reaching fever pitch.
INFANTRY 6,000 King Charles is persuaded to march from his stronghold
in Oxford to relieve Chester, which is being besieged by
Parliamentarian forces. Away from the siege, the main crux
CAVALRY 5,500 of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army is assembling and
evading any confrontation as it moves north. This delay
allows it to reach maximum strength on the road to Naseby.

02 Leaving the ridge
Fresh from sacking Leicester, the king’s
men arrive atop a ridge but soon make their
descent to the battlefield. Cromwell and Fairfax
meanwhile move their dismounted dragoons
(musket-armed horsemen) along the Sulby Hedge,
KINGCHARLESI positioning them to fire into the Royalist flanks.
The small skirmish works as Prince Rupert gives up
LEADER his superior position on the high ground to charge
at the New Model Army. The battle has begun.
Dismissive of parliament’s role in
governing the country, Charles
preferred absolute rule, which led to
tension and eventually civil war.
Strengths Unshakable belief in his
God-given right to rule.
Weakness Declining support base
duetohisactionswhileinpower.
Initial
03Royalist
success
Rupert’s cavalry attacks with 05
intense ferocity and the
Parliamentarian line buckles
under the pressure. Instead
of turning in to harass the
infantry, they decide to
focus on the Parliamentarian
baggage train.

CAVALIER 03

KEY UNIT
The iconic mounted units were key
to Charles’s military strength.
Strengths Experience of a long and
hard civil war.
Weakness Position was based on
status, not fighting ability.
07
02

04 Fairfax’s master plan
By 11am, the Royalist infantry has engaged the
MATCHLOCK Parliamentarians and is also enjoying some early successes. However,
with a significant amount of the Royalist mounted troops now occupied
KEY WEAPON with the baggage train, Fairfax seizes the initiative. Cromwell, who is
A type of musket, it was wielded by marshalling the left flank, moves against the right side of the Royalist
both the cavalry and infantry. ranks, which are led by Langdale. The Ironside left wing is unleashed to
Strengths Power and range of shot. devastating effect.
Weakness Slow reload time and
poor aim.

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