English Civil War

Marston Moor

In December 1643, John Pym died, but before he did he had struck a deal with the Scots. This was always Charles' great worry, that the rebels would ally with the Scots. So, just when he was feeling stronger, Charles found himself visited with a new calamity.

January 1644 the Scots invaded England again, 20,000 strong. A royalist army, led by Prince Rupert, went north to meet them and on 2 July 1644, the Battle of Marston Moor occurred. It was a day-long confrontation with only skirmishing for most of it.

Toward the end of the day, Oliver Cromwell led a cavalry charge that swept through the Cavaliers, around back, and then charged again into their flanks. Cromwell's charge brought a complete victory for the Roundheads.

York fell soon after, giving the Roundheads the two largest cities in the realm. Charles found himself very much on the run.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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