The First Battle of Newbury -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 20th September 1643 Location: Newbury, Berkshire Parliamentarian Commander: Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex Royalist Commander: Charles I, King of England Victor: Inconclusive -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Essex had bravely marched from London, through enemy territory to Gloucester in order to relieve the besieged city. Charles, who had been besieging the city, withdrew, unwilling to be caught between two enemies. Having resupplied the garrison, Essex then attempted to elude Charles and return to London. Prince Rupert caught Essex at Aldbourne Chase and made a short attack. He did not have enough men to make much difference, but did slow Essex down, and confirm his probable route. Charles managed to get to Newbury before Essex, forcing the parliamentary army to sleep in the open, since they had hoped to billet in the parliamentarian town. Charles deployed his army across Essex's route, South of Newbury. Essex would have liked to avoid a fight, but to his North was the River Kennet, and to the South marshy ground that would have been dangerous to travel through. Charles' main force was either side of Skinners Green with Rupert's cavalry on their left flank. Perhaps overconfident, Charles allowed Major-General Phillip Skippon to occupy Round Hill for parliament, on which he established an artillery battery defended by infantry. Each side had four brigades of infantry. Charles had more horse, but Essex had the Trained Bands in reserve. The royalists, realising the strength of Skippon's position, began by assaulting Round Hill. Sir Nicholas Byron lead an infantry brigade, with his nephew, Sir John Byron, supporting with cavalry. The great number of heavily defended hedgerows slowed them down considerably. The fighting went on all across the hill, with confusion on both sides. John Byron managed to establish a foothold on the hill, but was held up by a large hedge with only a small gap to allow progress. Lord Falkland, Charles' Secretary of State was killed at this gap. Why he was so far forward is questionable, but some say that he was disillusioned with the war, and wished to die. Eventually the royalists withdrew, having suffered greatly. Later on, another assault was mounted. This time John Byron and Sir Thomas Aston's cavalry spearheaded the drive. Together, they succeeded in pushing Skippon back from the summit, but he had brought up some Trained Bands in support, so they could make no further progress. The cavalry suffered greatly from fire directed at them by the fresh troops. Fortunately for them, their infantry reached the summit and relieved them of its defence. No futher attacks were made by either side, only exchanges of musket and artillery fire. To the South, Rupert lead his cavalry in a charge against Sir Phillip Stapleton's cavalry. He was repulsed with the help of parliamentarian infantry. A second charge was also driven back. However, a third charge finally routed the opposing cavalry. Rupert's cavalry gave chase, and suffered massive casualties from musket fire in the narrow lanes that they found themselves in. The North was relatively quiet, although a parliamentary force that attempted to ford the river was driven back. When night fell, the battle began to die down, until everything was quiet. The royalists were dangerously short of ammunition, but had held the ground that barred Essex' route forwards. A heated debate took place in the royalist camp as to whether to stay or move to resupply. Eventually, Charles decided to withdraw into the town. Come morning, Essex was suprised to find that he was unopposed. He quickly took advantage of the situation to move past Newbury and on to Reading.