| 3-11 |
The Convention of Estates meets in Edinburgh to finalise plans for the invasion of England. Source: TSR |
| 3 |
The Convention appoints the Earl of Loudoun, Viscount Maitland, Wariston and Robert Barclay as commissioners to go to London to oversee the implementation of the Solemn League and Covenant. TSR |
| 6 |
Sir Edward Ford surrenders Arundel Castle to Sir William Waller. HGCW1, DBD |
| 10 |
Lord Byron summons Nantwich, Parliament's last remaining stronghold in Cheshire. Byron besieges the town when the summons is refused. ATKA |
| 11 |
Royalist bombardment of Nantwich begins. N1644 |
| 14 |
An ammunition convoy on its way to Nantwich ambushed and captured by Parliamentaians from Wem. ATKA, N1644 |
| 16 |
A second summons to surrender Nantwich is refused. N1644 |
| 17 |
Lord Leven and the Committee of Estates accompanying the Scottish army resolve to invade England rather than wait for reinforcements and supplies. TSR |
| 18 |
500 Royalist soldiers killed in an unsuccessful attempt to storm the defences of Nantwich. ATKA, N1644 |
| 19 |
The Scottish invasion: the Army of the Covenant under the command of the Earl of Leven crosses the River Tweed and marches into England. HGCW1, ATKA |
| |
Sir Thomas Fairfax arrives at Manchester en route to the relief of Nantwich. TGCW |
| 20 |
King Charles commissions the Earl of Antrim to raise an army of 10,000 Irish soldiers for service in England and 3,000 for Scotland. HGCW1 |
| 21 |
The Marquis of Ormond sworn in as Lord-Deputy of Ireland in place of the Lord-Justices Sir John Borlase and Sir Henry Tichborne. TCK, ODNB |
| |
Fairfax marches from Manchester to the relief of Nantwich with a combined force of around 3,000 foot and 1,800 horse from Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. ATKA |
| 22 |
King Charles formally opens the Oxford Parliament. HGCW1 |
| 24 |
Fairfax defeats a force of 200 Royalists attempting to block his advance as he passes through the forest of Delamere in Cheshire. ATKA |
| 25 |
Battle of Nantwich: Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton defeat Lord Byron and raise the siege of Nantwich. Byron flees with his cavalry to Chester; infantry contingents from Ireland surrender and go over to Parliament's side. HGCW1, ATKA |
| 26 |
The Oxford Parliament passes a declaration that the Scots have broken the treaty of 1642 and must therefore be treated as invaders. HGCW1 |
| 27 |
The Oxford Parliament writes to the Earl of Essex requesting his assistance in bringing about peace. HGCW1 |
| 28 |
Lord Leven's advance guard at Morpeth, fifteen miles north of Newcastle. The Scottish army delayed by floods following a sudden thaw. ATKA |
| |
The Earls of Antrim and Montrose sign a formal agreement whereby Montrose will raise Royalist forces in north-east Scotland and on the borders and declare for the King by 1 April; Antrim undertakes to raise forces in Ireland and the Western Isles and invade the Marquis of Argyll's lands by the same date. RCRS |
| |
The Marquis of Newcastle marches from York to reinforce Newcastle. ODNB |
| |
Colonel John Belasyse appointed governor of York after the death of Sir William Savile. ATKA |
| |
Top of Page |
| |
(Early February) The Earl of Antrim returns to Kilkenny to ask the Supreme Council to back his scheme to raise 2,000 men to invade Scotland and an army of 10,000 to fight for the King in England. The Council agrees to the Scottish expedition but postpones a decision on the army for England pending the outcome of negotiations with the King at Oxford. Source: CCW |
| 1 |
The Convention of Estates orders a second levy in Scotland to form a reserve army. RCRS |
| |
The Earl of Montrose commissioned the King's Lieutenant-General in Scotland. HGCW1 |
| |
Oliver Cromwell promoted to Lieutenant-General of Horse in the Eastern Association army. HGCW1 |
| 2 |
The Marquis of Newcastle occupies Newcastle with his army from Yorkshire; the Scottish army appears to the north of the city only hours after his arrival. ATKA |
| 3 |
Lord Leven's summons for the surrender of Newcastle rejected. The Scots storm and capture outworks to the north-east of the city. ATKA |
| 5 |
A Parliamentary ordinance decrees that every Englishman aged 18 or over must sign the Covenant. HGCW1, AOI |
| 6 |
Scottish artillery landed at Blyth on the Northumberland coast but takes a further two days to be dragged to Newcastle. ATKA |
| |
Prince Rupert sent to recruit an army from north Wales. HGCW1 |
| 8 |
Scottish attack on Gateshead repulsed. AECW |
| 10 |
Lord Inchiquin arrives at Oxford to claim the presidency of Munster, but the King has promised it to the Earl of Portland. ODNB |
| |
Parliamentarian cavalry from Hull rout Royalists at Kilham in Yorkshire then raid Bridlington. AECW |
| 13 |
The Earl of Montrose commissioned King's Lieutenant-General in Scotland. HGCW1 |
| 16 |
The Committee for Both Kingdoms (England and Scotland) consisting of 7 peers, 14 MPs and 4 Scots commissioners formed to direct Parliament's war effort. HGCW1 |
| 19 |
Prince Rupert arrives at Shrewsbury to direct Royalist operations in the Midlands and north-west. ATKA |
| |
Sir Marmaduke Langdale leads twenty-five troops of horse from Hexham to drive the Covenanters from Corbridge on the River Tyne. Royalist raids out of Prudhoe threaten Scottish lines of communication. ATKA, AECW |
| 20 |
Parliamentarian raiders from Hull storm Whitby in Yorkshire. AECW |
| 22 |
The Committee of Estates orders the Scottish army in Ulster to remain there to protect Protestant interests rather than reinforce Leven's army in England. RCRS |
| 23 |
The Earl of Antrim arrives at Kilkenny to negotiate for Irish troops to serve the King. HGCW1 |
| |
Lord Leven leaves a token force to cover Newcastle and draws up the Covenanter army along the River Tyne. ATKA |
| 24 |
In collaboration with Captain Swanley's naval squadron, Rowland Laugharne captures the Royalist fort at Pill opposite Pembroke. The Royalists subsequently abandon Haverfordwest. TCW |
| 28 |
By-passing Newcastle, the Covenanters cross the Tyne at Ovingham, Bywell and Eltringham, then march towards Sunderland. ATKA |
| 29 |
Parliamentarian forces from Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire advance towards Newark. TGCW |
| |
Top of Page |
| 3 |
The King proposes peace negotiations between the Oxford and Westminster Parliaments. Source: HGCW1 |
| |
Colonel Lambert recaptures Bradford for the Yorkshire Parliamentarians. AECW |
| 4 |
Lord Leven and the Covenanters occupy Sunderland. The Marquis of Newcastle and the northern Royalist army cross the Tyne in pursuit. ATKA |
| |
Prince Rupert leads a raid on Parliamentarian forces at Market Drayton. ATKA |
| |
Lambert's cavalry storm and capture Tadcaster. AECW |
| 6 |
Sir John Meldrum besieges the Royalist stronghold of Newark. TGCW |
| |
The Marquis of Newcastle crosses the River Wear at Lumley Castle. ATKA |
| 7 |
The armies of Leven and Newcastle face one another in hills south-east of Sunderland, but bad weather prevents a battle. Newcastle withdraws to Durham, Leven to Sunderland. ATKA |
| 8 |
Parliamentarian attempt to storm Newark repulsed. TGCW |
| 9 |
The Westminster Parliament rejects the King's proposals for a treaty and refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the Oxford Parliament. HGCW1 |
| |
Parliament appoints Major-General Robert Monro commander-in-chief in Ireland. ODNB |
| |
Colonel Laugharne and Captain Swanley capture Tenby in a combined land and sea attack to complete the Parliamentarian reconquest of Pembrokeshire. TCW |
| 11 |
Prince Rupert confers with Lord Byron at Chester regarding the defences of the city. ATKA |
| 12 |
The Oxford Parliament declares that members of the Westminster Parliament are guilty of treason for inviting a Scottish army to invade England. HGCW1 |
| |
The trial of Archbishop Laud opens in London. (Continues until October) HGCW2 |
| |
Prince Rupert receives orders from the King to relieve the siege of Newark. TGCW |
| |
Lord Leven advances towards Durham but withdraws when the Marquis of Newcastle declines to give battle. ATKA |
| 15 |
The Earl of Montrose joins the Marquis of Newcastle at Durham. Montrose requests troops for his an expedition to Scotland. Newcastle can spare him only 100 cavalry and dragoons commanded by Sir Robert Clavering. RCRS |
| |
Covenanter attack on the Royalist garrison at South Shields repulsed. ATKA |
| |
Prince Rupert at Bridgnorth in Shropshire with 800 horse. He is met by Colonel Tillier with over 1,000 musketeers drawn from the regiments returning from Ireland. TGCW |
| 16 |
Rupert arrives at Wolverhampton where 300 men from the garrison at Dudley Castle join the march to Newark. TGCW |
| 18 |
Prince Rupert at Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire to rendezvous with Lord Loughborough. Rupert's army now comprises 3,500 horse, 3,000 foot and three field guns. TGCW |
| 19 |
Sir John Gordon of Haddo leads a raid on Aberdeen to kidnap leading Covenanters. RCRS |
| 20 |
Covenanters capture the Royalist garrison at South Shields and mount a successful raid on Chester-le-Street. ATKA |
| |
Prince Rupert at Bingham, ten miles south-west of Newark. TGCW |
| 21 |
Prince Rupert relieves the siege of Newark. Meldrum surrenders his arms and artillery and retreats to Hull. Discouraged Parliamentarian commanders evacuate Lincoln, Gainsborough and Sleaford. ATKA, TGCW |
| 23 |
The Marquis of Newcastle advances towards Sunderland along the north bank of the River Wear. ATKA |
| 24 |
The armies of Newcastle and Leven face one another north of Sunderland. There is fierce skirmishing around East Boldon but neither commander commits to a battle. ATKA |
| |
The Marquis of Huntly occupies Aberdeen for the King. RCRS |
| |
Confederate agents arrive at Oxford to negotiate with the King. TCW |
| 25 |
Colonel Belasyse storms Bradford in Yorkshire but the attack is repulsed. Belasyse withdraws to Selby. SOB |
| |
Sir William Waller at West Meon in Hampshire to guard the road from Winchester to Petersfield. HGCW1 |
| 26 |
The Marquis of Newcastle withdraws to Durham. ATKA |
| 27 |
Lord Hopton and Lord Forth occupy Alresford in Hampshire. HGCW1 |
| 29 |
Battle of Cheriton (Alresford) in Hampshire. Sir William Waller defeats Lord Hopton and Lord Forth, ending the Royalist advance in the south-east. Parliament's first decisive victory of the war. HGCW1 |
| |
Viscount Muskerry and Confederate agents at Oxford demand complete freedom for the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland and an independent Irish parliament in exchange for an Irish army to serve the King. HGCW1 |
| 30 |
Hopton and Forth withdraw to Basing House, then to Reading. ATKA |
| |
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| 1 |
Lord Leven and the Covenanter army advances from Sunderland to Easington. Source: ATKA |
| |
Lord Herbert, newly-created Earl of Glamorgan, commissioned to command the army of 10,000 Irish troops which King Charles expects to secure from his negotiations with the Confederates. ODNB, CCW |
| 2 |
Lieutenant-General George Goring released from the Tower in an exchange of prisoners and returns to the north. ODNB |
| 6 |
The Committee for Both Kingdoms orders the Earl of Essex and the Earl of Manchester to rendezvous at Aylesbury on 19 April and advance against the King at Oxford. Neither general obeys the order. HGCW1 |
| 7 |
The Earl of Montrose and Sir Robert Clavering enter Scotland with a small Royalist army from England. RCRS |
| 8 |
Lord Leven advances into the Quarrington Hills, south-west of Durham, threatening the Marquis of Newcastle's lines of communication. ATKA |
| 10 |
The Convention of Estates appoints the Earl of Callendar commander of Covenanter forces in the south of Scotland and the Borders to counter Montrose's advance, while the Marquis of Argyll leads an army to confront the Marquis of Huntly at Aberdeen. RCRS |
| 11 |
The Fairfaxes, Colonel Lambert and Sir John Meldrum join forces to storm and capture Selby in Yorkshire, threatening the Royalist stronghold of York. ATKA, TGCW |
| |
King Charles reviews the 10,000-strong Oxford army at Aldbourne Chase near Newbury in Berkshire. HGCW1 |
| 12 |
The Marquis of Newcastle evacuates Royalist garrisons at Durham and Lumley Castle and withdraws to defend the line of the River Tees at Piercebridge. ATKA |
| |
When several of his London regiments return home, Sir William Waller withdraws to his base at Farnham in Surrey. TGCW |
| 13 |
After learning of the capture of Selby, the Marquis of Newcastle marches straight to the defence of York. ATKA |
| 14 |
Lord Leven sends cavalry to harass the rear of Newcastle's retreating army and follows him south with his main force. The Covenanters occupy Darlington. ATKA |
| 15 |
The Covenanters reach Northallerton where a single Royalist regiment offers futile resistance. AECW |
| |
The Earl of Montrose occupies Dumfries for the King. TCW |
| 16 |
Lord Leven abandons his pursuit of Newcastle's army at Thormanby and marches to Boroughbridge. ATKA |
| |
The Oxford Parliament prorogued until 8 October. HGCW1 |
| 17 |
Queen Henrietta Maria, who is pregnant, leaves Oxford to spend her confinement in Exeter. She will never see King Charles again. HGCW1 |
| |
A delegation of Irish Protestants arrives at Oxford to negotiate with the King. TCW |
| |
The Marquis of Argyll campaigns against the Royalists in north-eastern Scotland (until 1 July). TCW |
| 18 |
The Marquis of Newcastle occupies York, sending his cavalry to join Prince Rupert in Lancashire. HGCW1, TGCW |
| |
The armies of Lord Leven and Lord Fairfax join forces at Wetherby in Yorkshire. ATKA |
| 20 |
Prince Maurice besieges the port of Lyme in Dorset. SGCW |
| 20-3 |
Allied armies of Leven and Fairfax besiege York. SGCW, TGCW |
| 24 |
The Allies capture Stamford Bridge near York. AECW |
| 25 |
Prince Rupert attends a Council of War at Oxford. He advises the King to defend the ring of fortresses around Oxford and to sustain them with a central cavalry force. This would leave Prince Maurice free to complete the conquest of the west while Rupert goes to assist the Marquis of Newcastle at York. HGCW1 |
| 28 |
Royalist attempt to storm Lyme repulsed. SGCW |
| |
(End of April) Montrose forced to abandon Dumfries and retreat back across the border at the approach of the Earl of Callendar. Sir Robert Clavering insists upon returning to Tyneside. RCRS |
| |
Top of Page |
| 2 |
The Marquis of Argyll recaptures Aberdeen for the Covenanters. The Marquis of Huntly flees into the Highlands. Source: RCRS |
| 5 |
Prince Rupert leaves Oxford for the north. HGCW1 |
| 6 |
The Earl of Manchester storms and captures Lincoln. The Eastern Association cavalry under Cromwell despatched to join Lord Fairfax and Lord Leven at the siege of York. ATKA |
| |
The Earl of Montrose created Marquis. ODNB |
| 8 |
Charles Gerard replaces the Earl of Carbery as commander of Royalist forces in south-western Wales. ODNB |
| 10 |
Montrose attacks the Covenanters at Morpeth in Northumberland. The town surrenders immediately. Montrose orders up artillery from Newcastle to besiege the castle. Sir Robert Clavering and Sir Philip Musgrave campaign against Allied positions south of the Tyne. AECW, RCRS |
| 13 |
The Earl of Essex's army marches from London to join forces with Sir William Waller and move against Oxford. ATKA |
| 14 |
Major-General Robert Monro, commander of the Parliamentarian and Scottish forces in Ireland, seizes Belfast. TCW |
| 15 |
1,000 Covenanter cavalry sent north from the siege of York against Montrose at Morpeth. AECW |
| 16 |
Prince Rupert leaves Shrewsbury; beginning of the York March. TGCW |
| |
The Allies capture Buttercrambe Castle near York. AECW |
| 17 |
The Earl of Essex advances to Henley-on-Thames. ATKA |
| 18 |
The King orders the evacuation of Reading. Its garrison is incorporated into the Oxford army. HGCW1 |
| 19 |
The Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller move in to occupy Reading. HGCW1 |
| |
Sir John Meldrum captures Cawood Castle in Yorkshire for the Allies. AECW |
| 22 |
The King requests a renewal of the Irish Cessation and hands over negotiations with the Confederates to the Marquis of Ormond. HGCW1 |
| 23 |
Viscount Muskerry and the Confederate agents dismissed from Oxford. HGCW1 |
| |
The Earl of Warwick's fleet bring supplies to the defenders of Lyme in Dorset. SGCW |
| |
Lord Byron joins Prince Rupert at Knutsford in Cheshire. ATKA |
| 24 |
Malmesbury surrenders to Colonel Massey. HGCW1 |
| 25 |
Prince Rupert storms and plunders Stockport in Cheshire. HGCW1 |
| |
The Royalists abandon Abingdon, one of the inner ring of fortresses protecting Oxford. HGCW1 |
| 26 |
The Earl of Essex occupies Abingdon. Waller marches towards Wantage, intending to gain a passage over the Thames above Oxford to cut it off from the west. HGCW1 |
| |
The King sends Lord Hopton to secure the defences of Bristol. HGCW1 |
| 27 |
Royalist Council of War at Oxford decides to garrison the city as a secure base while the King leads the Oxford army in manoeuvres to keep lines of communication with the west open. HGCW1 |
| |
The Earl of Manchester arrives at the siege of York, ahead of the main body of the Eastern Association army. AECW |
| 28 |
Prince Rupert storms and sacks Bolton, the "Geneva of the North"; the defenders are massacred by Lord Derby's troops. HGCW1 |
| 29 |
Covenanters defending Morpeth Castle surrender to the Marquis of Montrose. ATKA |
| |
Top of Page |
| 1 |
Lieutenant-General George Goring with 5,000 horse and 800 foot joins Prince Rupert on the York March. Source: HGCW1 |
| |
A raiding party from Basing House defeated by Colonel Norton near Odiham in Hampshire, seriously weakening the garrison. TCG |
| 2 |
Sir William Waller seizes Newbridge near Oxford to control crossings of the River Thames above and below the city. The Earl of Essex at Islip, a few miles north-east of Oxford. HGCW1 |
| 3 |
King Charles makes a feint attack towards Abingdon, forcing Waller to fall back to its defence. The King's army marches north from Oxford making for Worcester. HGCW1 |
| |
The Committee for both Kingdoms sends Sir Henry Vane with orders for the commanders of the allied army before York to abandon the siege and march against Rupert in Lancashire. HGCW1 |
| |
The main Eastern Association army joins the siege of York. DBD |
| 4 |
The first Scottish triennial Parliament (sanctioned by the King in 1641) assembles in Edinburgh. TCW |
| |
Colonel Massey captures Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. HGCW1 |
| 5 |
Bombardment of York begins. ATKA |
| |
Prince Rupert enters Wigan and relieves the siege of Lathom House, defended for two months by the Countess of Derby. HGCW1 |
| |
The King's army at Evesham. DRS |
| 6 |
The King's army reaches Worcester. HGCW1 |
| |
The Earl of Essex meets Waller at Chipping Norton. Waller is ordered to pursue the King's army while Essex marches to the west to relieve the siege of Lyme. ATKA |
| 7 |
The Covenanters storm three forts covering the western side of York and succeed in capturing two of them. ATKA |
| |
Prince Rupert arrives before Liverpool, defended by Colonel Moore. HGCW1 |
| 8 |
The Marquis of Newcastle opens negotiations for the surrender of York. ATKA |
| 9 |
Sir William Waller captures Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire, threatening the King's position at Worcester. HGCW1 |
| 10 |
The allied generals persist in their resolution to maintain the siege of York. Sir Henry Vane convinced that they are right. HGCW1 |
| |
Sir WIlliam Waller at Evesham. ATKA |
| 11 |
Prince Rupert takes Liverpool after five days' bombardment, regaining most of Lancashire for the Royalists and securing another port for the troops from Ireland. HGCW1 |
| 12 |
King Charles withdraws from Worcester and falls back to Bewdley. HGCW1 |
| |
The Earl of Essex at Blandford in Dorset. He refuses to obey the order of the Committee for Both Kingdoms recalling him to attack Oxford and presses on towards Lyme. HGCW1 |
| 13 |
Royalist Council of War at Bewdley. The King decides to return to Oxford and gather reinforcements to fight Waller. HGCW1 |
| 14 |
The Marquis of Newcastle's terms for the surrender of York rejected by the Allies. HGCW1 |
| |
Colonel Ashburnham evacuates Weymouth in Dorset as the Earl of Essex's army approaches and withdraws into Portland Castle. ATKA |
| 15 |
Prince Maurice abandons the siege of Lyme and falls back to Exeter. HGCW1 |
| |
The King's army re-enters Worcester. AECW |
| 16 |
Allied assault on York miscarries when a mine is exploded prematurely and Major-General Crawford leads an unsupported attack. HGCW1 |
| |
Queen Henrietta Maria gives birth to a daughter at Exeter. With the Earl of Essex approaching, she moves further west into Cornwall. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
Prince Rupert receives an ambiguous letter from the King which he interprets as an order to advance to York and fight the allied Scots and Parliamentarian armies besieging it. ATKA |
| 21 |
The King's army, reinforced with infantry from Oxford, musters at Woodstock then marches to occupy Buckingham. The Committee for both Kingdoms, fearing an attack on East Anglia, orders Waller to resume his pursuit of the King. TKW, HGCW1 |
| 23 |
Prince Rupert at Preston, from where he sets out across the Pennines towards York. TGCW |
| 24 |
Major-General Browne marches from London with 4,500 troops to support Sir William Waller. TGCW |
| 25 |
The Earl of Callendar leads the reserve Covenanter army across the border to suppress Royalist activity in northern England. RCRS |
| 26 |
Prince Rupert at Skipton. SGCW |
| |
The King's army marches Buckingham to Brackley. DRS |
| 27 |
Major-General Monro campaigns in Counties Down, Cavan and Monaghan (until 15 July). TCW |
| 28 |
The Allied commanders receive intelligence of Prince Rupert's approach and prepare to break up the siege of York to face him in battle. HGCW1 |
| |
Sir William Waller at Hanwell near Banbury in pursuit of the King; cavalry skirmishes between the two armies. TGCW, DRS |
| 29 |
Battle of Cropredy Bridge. Waller's attack on the King's army repulsed. The mutinous Parliamentarian army begins to disintegrate through desertion. HGCW1 |
| 30 |
Prince Rupert at Knaresborough. SGCW |
| |
Top of Page |
| |
(Early July) Alasdair MacColla lands on the west coast of Scotland with 1,600 Irish Confederates sent by the Earl of Antrim to fight for the King. Source: TCW, HGCW2 |
| |
(Early July) Major-General Monro advances south into County Meath, hoping to bring the Confederate army being formed by the Earl of Castlehaven to battle before it is fully prepared. TCK, ODNB |
| 1 |
Prince Rupert outmanoeuvres the Allied commanders to approach from the north and lift the siege of York. HGCW1 |
| 2 |
Battle of Marston Moor. Lord Fairfax, Lord Leven and the Earl of Manchester inflict a decisive defeat on Prince Rupert and the Marquis of Newcastle. The battle effectively ends Royalist influence in the north of England. HGCW1 |
| |
Sir William Waller and Major-General Browne join forces at Towcester. Waller writes to Parliament complaining of the mutinous temper of the London regiments and recommends the formation of a standing army. ATKA, HGCW2 |
| 3 |
The Marquis of Newcastle, Lord Eythin and other Royalist officers flee to Scarborough and escape to the Continent. HGCW1 |
| 4 |
Prince Rupert withdraws from York to Richmond where he attempts to regroup Royalist forces. He is joined by the Marquis of Montrose. Rupert withdraws across the Pennines to the Welsh border; Montrose goes to the Scottish border. TKW, HGCW2 |
| |
The Allies resume the siege of York. SGCW |
| |
Sir William Waller marches for Northampton, but his army is on the point of mutiny. ATKA |
| 7 |
Major-General Browne attacked and wounded by his own mutinous troops. TGCW |
| |
The King's army at Evesham in Worcestershire. The Council of War decides to pursue the Earl of Essex. HGCW2 |
| 8 |
Newcastle and Eythin arrive at Hamburg. ODNB |
| |
Colonel Robert Blake captures Taunton in Somerset. DNB |
| 11 |
Colonel Norton's forces begin constructing siege works for the second siege of Basing House. The Marquis of Winchester rejects his summons to surrender. SGCW |
| 12 |
The King's army marches from Evesham to the south-west in pursuit of Essex. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
The Queen escapes to France from Falmouth in Cornwall. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
The Scottish Parliament commissions the Marquis of Argyll to march against MacColla's incursion into western Scotland. RCRS |
| 16 |
Sir Thomas Glenham surrenders the city of York to Lord Fairfax. HGCW1 |
| 17 |
Lord Inchiquin abandons the Royalist cause and declares for Parliament; many Protestants in Munster follow him. TCW |
| 18 |
Royalists abandon the siege of Plymouth as the Earl of Essex advances further west. ATKA |
| 20 |
Waller's battered army re-occupies Abingdon. HGCW2 |
| |
The fourth Confederate General Assembly meets at Kilenny. TCW |
| 23 |
The Earl of Essex advances to Tavistock in Devon. Sir Richard Grenville abandons the siege of Plymouth and withdraws into Cornwall. TGCW |
| 25 |
Prince Rupert and Lord Byron occupy Chester and set about recruiting new forces. TGCW |
| 26 |
The Earl of Essex crosses the River Tamar at Horsebridge and advances into Cornwall. ATKA |
| |
The King's army arrives at Exeter. Prince Maurice joins the pursuit of the Earl of Essex. ATKA |
| |
Sir William Waller returns to London. DBD |
| |
The Marquis of Ormond commissioned by the King to resume peace negotiations with the Confederate Supreme Council. HGCW2 |
| 28 |
The Earl of Essex at Bodmin. TGCW |
| |
The King's army advances to Crediton. DRS |
| |
Colonel Norton opens fire on Basing House with artillery sent from London. SGCW |
| 31 |
Colonel John Boys rejects Lieutenant-General Middleton's summons to surrender Donnington Castle. Middleton's attempt to storm the castle repulsed. SGCW |
| |
(Late July) The Earl of Castlehaven advances into Ulster. TCW |
| |
Top of Page |
| 1 |
The King marches into Cornwall, cutting off Essex's escape route. Source: TKW |
| 2 |
King Charles at Launceston. On learning that the King's army is pursuing him, the Earl of Essex marches from Bodmin to Lostwithiel, hoping to regain contact with the Parliamentarian fleet. ATKA |
| 3 |
Sir Richard Grenville occupies Tregony in Cornwall to block the Earl of Essex from the west. ATKA |
| 6 |
The King, having hemmed in the Earl of Essex at Lostwithiel, calls upon him to surrender. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
George Goring joins the King's army in Cornwall. HGCW2 |
| 8 |
Lord Wilmot arrested at the head of his troops after his secret negotiations with the Earl of Essex are discovered. George Goring replaces him as Lieutenant-General of Horse. Lord Hopton replaces Wilmot's friend Lord Percy as General of Ordnance. Wilmot and Percy are exiled to France. HGCW2 |
| 11 |
Sir Richard Grenville drives the Earl of Essex's cavalry out of Bodmin and advances to Respryn Bridge, where he makes contact with the King. ATKA |
| |
The Earl of Castlehaven's cavalry crosses the River Bann and skirmishes with Major-General Monro's Covenanters, after which Castlehaven withdraws in face of superior numbers to Charlemont Fort. CCW, TCK |
| 12 |
Lord Leven and the Covenanters resume the siege of Newcastle. SON |
| 13-14 |
Royalist detachments establish strongpoints on the east bank of the River Fowey to prevent the Earl of Essex escaping across the river. ATKA |
| |
Lieutenant-General John Middleton, riding to assist the Earl of Essex with 2,000 horse and dragoons, is defeated at Bridgwater by Sir Francis Doddington and forced back to Sherborne. ATKA |
| 18 |
The Elector Palatine, Prince Rupert's elder brother, arrives in London amid rumours that a party in Parliament are in favour of putting him forward as a candidate for the Crown. His brother's arrival greatly embarrasses Rupert and prevents the King from appointing Rupert commander-in-chief of the Royalist armies. TKW |
| |
Disguised as a groom, the Marquis of Montrose crosses the border into Scotland with only two companions. RCRS |
| |
Imprisoned Irish insurgents Lord Conor Maguire and Hugh MacMahon escape from the Tower of London. ODNB |
| 19 |
Lord Byron's cavalry routed at Ormskirk, leaving the Parliamentarians in control of Lancashire. Prince Rupert takes most of the remaining Royalist troops south; Byron withdraws to Chester. ODNB |
| 20 |
A committee appointed by the Westminster Assembly to prepare a Confession of Faith (completed in 1647). |
| 21 |
The Earl of Essex's forces driven from strongpoints at Restmorel Castle and Beacon Hill near Lostwithiel. ATKA |
| 22 |
Charles Gerard captures Haverfordwest for the King. TCG |
| 26 |
Lieutenant-General Goring and Sir Thomas Basset occupy St Blazey to the west of Lostwithiel. HGCW2 |
| |
Prince Rupert arrives in Bristol. TKW |
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The House of Commons condemns The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce by John Milton and Man's Mortalitie by Richard Overton. TKW |
| 28 |
The Marquis of Montrose raises the royal standard at Blair Athol, securing command of MacColla's Irishmen. 800 Scottish clansmen sent by the Covenanters against the Irish join Montrose instead. |
| 31 |
Sir William Balfour breaks out from Lostwithiel with 2,000 Parliamentarian cavalry. The infantry attempt to fight their way out of Lostwithiel but are contained at Castle Dore. The Earl of Essex escapes in a fishing boat. ATKA |
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(End of August) The Committee of Estates belatedly realises the threat posed by Montrose and MacColla. Levies mustered from central Scotland; cavalry regiments recalled from the Covenanter army in England. RCRS |
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| 1 |
Battle of Tippermuir. The Marquis of Montrose routs Lord Elcho's Covenanters despite being heavily outnumbered. Montrose occupies Perth. Source: HGCW2 |
| 2 |
Major-General Skippon surrenders the Parliamentarian infantry at Lostwithiel. The troops are disarmed and allowed to march out under guard, promising not to fight again before they reach Southampton. Many die of exposure, disease or starvation on the forced march. ATKA |
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The Earl of Manchester ordered to march south to strengthen Parliament's weakened position following the Earl of Essex's march into the west and the disintegration of Waller's army. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
The King's army regroups at Tavistock. HGCW2 |
| 6 |
Peace negotiations resumed at Dublin between the Marquis of Ormond and representatives of the Confederates. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
News reaches London of the defeat at Lostwithiel. Parliament does not censure the Earl of Essex for the disaster but blames Lieutenant-General Middleton, whose small cavalry force had been unable to relieve him. TGCW |
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Montgomery Castle surrenders to Sir Thomas Middleton. TKW |
| 8 |
The Earl of Manchester reaches Huntingdon. Enmity between Cromwell and Major-General Crawford; Cromwell contemptuous of Manchester's reluctance to fight. DBD, HGCW2 |
| 9 |
Colonel Henry Gage leads a relief force from Oxford to bring supplies of ammunition and gunpowder to Basing House. SGCW |
| 10 |
The King's army at Plymouth. ATKA |
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Sir William Waller at Salisbury. TGCW |
| 11 |
Colonel Wardlaw, governor of Plymouth, refuses the King's summons to surrender. ATKA |
| 12 |
The Edinburgh government sets a price on the head of Montrose, dead or alive, for stirring up rebellion in the Highlands. HGCW2 |
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Colonel Gage plunders Basingstoke market to reprovision Basing House. SGCW |
| 13 |
Battle of Aberdeen. Montrose's forces defeat Lord Balfour's Covenanters. The town of Aberdeen sacked and pillaged for several days. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
Leaving a small force to blockade Plymouth, the King withdraws to Exeter. ATKA |
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The first survivors of Essex's infantry arrive at Southampton. ATKA |
| 16 |
The Marquis of Argyll at Brechin in pursuit of Montrose, whose forces take to the Highlands. RCRS |
| 18 |
Lord Byron and Major-General Earnley attempt to recapture Montgomery Castle but are defeated by Sir John Meldrum at Montgomery, leaving the Parliamentarians in control of central Wales. HGCW2 |
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The escaped Irish insurgents Maguire and MacMahon recaptured in London. The Spanish ambassador Don Alonso de Cardenas is implicated in their escape bid but denies any involvement. ODNB |
| 19 |
The Marquis of Argyll occupies Aberdeen. RCRS |
| 21 |
After reinforcing the garrisons at Weymouth, Poole and Lyme with his infantry, Sir William Waller occupies Shaftesbury with his cavalry. TGCW |
| 22 |
The Earl of Manchester reaches Watford. HGCW2 |
| 23 |
The King's army at Chard in Somerset. HGCW2 |
| 29 |
The Earl of Manchester arrives at Reading. HGCW2 |
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Colonel Jeremy Horton resumes the siege of Donnington Castle near Newbury. SGCW, TGCW |
| 30 |
The King moves out of Chard. He meets Prince Rupert at South Perrot in Dorset. ATKA |
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| 2 |
The King's army arrives at Sherborne in Dorset. Source: HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Prince Rupert returns to Bristol to organise reinforcements for the King's army. HGCW2 |
| 8 |
Sir William Waller falls back from Shaftesbury as the King's army advances. HGCW2 |
| 11 |
Archbishop Laud defends himself against accusations of treason. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
The King's army advances to Salisbury. HGCW2 |
| 17 |
The Earl of Manchester advances to Basingstoke. HGCW2 |
| 18 |
Lieutenant-General Goring drives Waller back from Andover. The King's army occupies Andover. TGCW |
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A brigade of London Trained Bands reinforces the garrison at Reading. TGCW |
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Colonel Horton abandons the siege of Donnington Castle. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
The Covenanters storm and capture Newcastle-on-Tyne after a two month siege. HGCW2, ODNB |
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The armies of Manchester and Waller join forces at Basingstoke. HGCW2 |
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The King advances to Whitchurch. ATKA |
| 21 |
The Earl of Essex joins Waller and Manchester at Basingstoke. The commanders are quarrelling, the troops are dejected. HGCW2 |
| 22 |
The King reaches Kingsclere, five miles south of Newbury. TGCW |
| 23 |
Rather than march to relieve Basing House, the King's army takes up a defensive position at Newbury. A detachment under the Earl of Northampton sent to relieve the siege of Banbury, 50 miles to the north. TGCW |
| 24 |
Parliament declares "no quarter" for Irish troops captured in England or Wales. HGCW2, HCJ |
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The House of Commons requests that the Assembly of Divines prepares a Directory of Worship to replace the Book of Common Prayer. HGCW2 |
| 25 |
The Earl of Northampton relieves the siege of Banbury Castle. HGCW2 |
| 27 |
Second battle of Newbury. After an inconclusive battle, the Royalists secure their artillery in Donnington Castle and withdraw to Oxford. The King moves to Bath where Prince Rupert has gathered 3,000 horse and foot. HGCW2, ATKA |
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Tynemouth Castle surrenders to the Covenanters. ATKA |
| 28 |
A petition demanding the execution of Archbishop Laud presented at the House of Commons. HGCW2 |
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Skirmishes between the Marquis of Montrose's troops and Argyll's Covenanters around Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire. TCW, RCRS |
| 30 |
The King and Prince Rupert advance to Burford in Oxfordshire where they rendezvous with the Earl of Northampton. ATKA |
| 31 |
The House of Commons passes an Ordinance of Attainder against Archbishop Laud. HGCW2 |
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| 1 |
The Committee of Estates requests that the English Parliament moves quickly to settle the question of Church government and takes steps to suppress the sectaries. Source: HGCW2 |
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Royalists surrender Liverpool to Sir John Meldrum who spares the lives of captured Irish troops despite the parliamentary ordinance of 24 October directing that Irish prisoners should be put to death. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Lieutenant-General Charles Gerard reinforces the King's army with 3,000 troops from Wales. ODNB |
| 6 |
The King reviews his reassembled army of 15,000 troops at Oxford. Prince Rupert appointed Lieutenant-General of all the King's armies. (The Prince of Wales nominally appointed Commander-in-Chief). HGCW2 |
| 9 |
The King and Prince Rupert relieve Donnington Castle and recover the Royalist artillery. The dispirited Parliamentarian army does little to interfere. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
The Marquis of Ormond offers his resignation owing to his discomfort over the negotiations with the Confederates; the King refuses to accept it. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
The House of Commons passes a resolution stating that only ordained ministers should be allowed to preach. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
The Parliamentarian army retires to winter quarters at Reading. HGCW2 |
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Colonel Norton abandons the siege of Basing House. SGCW |
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The Eastern Association complains to Parliament of the high cost of maintaining a regional army; the House of Commons directs the Committee for Both Kingdoms to consider a new framework for financing Parliament's armies. HGCW2 |
| 20 |
Proposals drawn up by the "Peace Party" in the House of Commons and the Scots sent to Oxford. HGCW2 |
| 22 |
The House of Lords debates the Ordinance of Attainder against Archbishop Laud. HGCW2 |
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Irish rebel Hugh MacMahon hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. HGCW2 |
| 23 |
Royalist army retires to winter quarters at Oxford. HGCW2 |
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Parliamentary peace commissioners jeered and insulted on their arrival at Oxford. HGCW2 |
| 24 |
The King receives Parliament's peace proposals. HGCW2 |
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Publication of Areopagitica by John Milton. HGCW2 |
| 25 |
Oliver Cromwell presents his complaints against the Earl of Manchester's leadership in the House of Commons. The quarrels among the army leaders become political, reflecting divisions between the Lords and Commons and between the Presbyterians and Independents. A committee chaired by Zouch Tate, MP for Northampton, is appointed to investigate Cromwell's accusations. HGCW2 |
| 27 |
Peace commissioners return to London with the King's request for a safe conduct for his own representatives to present his answer in Parliament. HGCW2 |
| 28 |
The Earl of Manchester answers Cromwell's accusations in the House of Lords and makes his own attack on Cromwell. HGCW2 |
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| 1 |
At Dublin, the Marquis of Ormond negotiates a renewal of the Cessation of Arms with Confederate delegates led by Viscount Muskerry. Source: TCK |
| 2 |
The Earl of Manchester issues a written defence against Cromwell's accusations; the House of Lords demands an inquiry into the quarrel. HGCW2 |
| 3 |
Both Houses vote to continue negotiations with the King. HGCW2 |
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Members of the English peace party meet with Scottish commissioners to discuss the possibility of impeaching Cromwell as an "incendiary between the two nations". HGCW2 |
| 4 |
Denzil Holles presents Manchester's counter-accusations against Cromwell in the House of Commons; Cromwell replies with a fierce attack on Manchester's military inefficiency. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
Sir John Hotham sentenced to death for plotting to betray Hull to the Royalists. HGCW2 |
| 9 |
Cromwell argues in the House of Commons that the war will never be brought to a successful conclusion unless Parliament's military resources are re-organised. Zouch Tate proposes that no member of the Lords or Commons should hold any military or naval command. HGCW2 |
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Court-martial of Captain Hotham begins. ODNB |
| 13 |
The Marquis of Montrose and Alasdair MacColla invade the Campbell territories of western Scotland to burn and plunder. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
Major-General Holborn and Anthony Ashley Cooper relieve the siege of Taunton, defended by Colonel Blake. HGCW2 |
| 17 |
The Earls of Richmond and Southampton at Westminster with letters from the King requesting that Parliament appoint commissioners for another round of peace negotiations. HGCW2 |
| 18 |
1,200 Clubmen assemble at Wem in Shropshire to organise resistance to the plundering of local Royalist garrisons. AECW |
| 19 |
The Self-Denying Ordinance passed by the House of Commons. HGCW2, HCJ |
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Parliamentarians and Covenanters besiege Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire. TCW |
| 24 |
Captain Hotham sentenced to death. HGCW2 |
| 27 |
King Charles commends the Earl of Glamorgan to the Marquis of Ormond as an assistant in negotiations with the Confederates. HGCW2 |
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