| |
(Jan-Mar) Clubmen risings in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Source: TCW |
| |
(Early January) Lord Goring advances through Hampshire and Surrey with 3,000 horse and 1,500 foot, intending to provoke a Royalist uprising in Sussex. HGCW2, ODNB |
| 1 |
Execution on Tower Hill of Captain Hotham, condemned for attempting to betray Hull to the Royalists. HGCW2 |
| 2 |
Sir John Hotham executed on Tower Hill the day after his son. HGCW2 |
| |
The King appoints the Earl of Glamorgan his special envoy to negotiate with the Irish Confederates in collaboration with the Marquis of Ormond. HGCW2 |
| 4 |
The Book of Common Prayer abolished in favour of a Presbyterian Directory of Worship. HGCW2, AOI |
| |
The House of Lords passes the ordinance of attainder against Archbishop Laud. HGCW2, AOI |
| 6 |
Committee for Both Kingdoms recommends the creation of the New Model Army. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
The House of Lords state their objections to the disqualification of peers for military command under the proposals for the Self-Denying Ordinance. HGCW2 |
| 9 |
Lord Goring occupies Farnham in Surrey but is unable to maintain his forces there and is obliged to withdraw. HGCW2 |
| 10 |
Execution of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, on Tower Hill. HGCW2 |
| 11 |
The King orders the arrest of Lords Percy, Andover and Sussex, who had been calling for the opening of new peace negotiations with Parliament. HGCW2 |
| |
Prince Rupert attacks Parliament's garrison at Abingdon, but is repulsed by Major-General Browne who orders the execution of five captured Royalist officers who had served in Ireland. HGCW2 |
| |
Sir Henry Gage mortally wounded at Culham Bridge near Oxford. ODNB |
| 13 |
The House of Lords rejects the Self-Denying Ordinance. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
Parliament appoints Lord Inchiquin Lord-President of Munster. HCJ, HLJ |
| 20 |
General Thomas Preston besieges Duncannon Fort in County Wexford. TCW |
| 21 |
The House of Commons votes for Sir Thomas Fairfax to be commander-in-chief of Parliament's new army, with Philip Skippon as Major-General. A number of officers named as regimental commanders. HGCW2, HCJ |
| 27 |
Sir William Brereton's forces attempt to scale the walls of Chester but are driven back. SGCW |
| 28 |
The New Model Ordinance sent to the House of Lords. HGCW2 |
| 29 |
Opening of the Uxbridge Treaty between representatives of the King, Parliament and the Scots. HGCW2 |
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| 2 |
Battle of Inverlochy. The Marquis of Montrose defeats Duncan Campbell of Auchinbreck, destroying the power of the Campbells in the Highlands. The Marquis of Argyll flees from the scene of the disaster. Source: HGCW2 |
| 11 |
The Scottish Parliament declares Montrose and his chief supporters to be guilty of treason. HGCW2 |
| 12 |
Sir Lewis Dyve captures Weymouth for the King. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
Sir William Waller ordered to relieve Weymouth; his cavalry, formerly commanded by the Earl of Essex, mutiny at Leatherhead. HGCW2 |
| 17 |
Ordinance for the New Model Army passed by the House of Lords, proposing the formation of a Parliamentarian army 22,000 strong on a national rather than regional basis. AOI |
| 19 |
Prince Maurice advances from Worcester and relieves the siege of Chester. SGCW |
| 20 |
Sir Marmaduke Langdale and the Northern Horse advance from their headquarters at Salisbury in Wiltshire to ride to Yorkshire and relieve the siege of Pontefract Castle. CRW |
| 20 |
Parliamentarian troops mutiny at Henley in Buckinghamshire over arrears of pay. HGCW2 |
| |
Irish rebel Lord Conor Maguire hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. ODNB |
| 21 |
Parliament reinforces Waller's army with troops from the Eastern Association, but the Association refuses to bear the expense of supplying them whilst stationed away from their own region. HGCW2 |
| 22 |
Ending of the unsuccessful Uxbridge peace negotiations. HGCW2 |
| |
Sir Thomas Mytton captures Shrewsbury for Parliament in a surprise attack. Thirteen soldiers who had come over from Ireland hanged; Prince Rupert hangs thirteen Parliamentarian prisoners in retaliation. HGCW2 |
| |
Sir John Meldrum captures Scarborough for Parliament, though Royalist defenders hold out in the castle. HGCW2 |
| 23 |
Langdale and the Northern Horse at Banbury in Oxfordshire. CRW |
| 25 |
Langdale routs Colonel Rossiter at Market Harborough in Leicestershire. CRW |
| 26 |
Langdale advances to Newark. Parliamentarian commanders unsure of his objective. CRW |
| 28 |
Sir Lewis Dyve's Royalists driven from Weymouth when Vice-Admiral William Batten reinforces a neighbouring Parliamentarian garrison and storms the town. HGCW2 |
| |
Langdale's Northern Horse arrive at Doncaster in Yorkshire. CRW |
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(Early March) Lord Goring's cavalry move to the vicinity of Exeter where they live on free quarter and plunder. Source: HGCW2 |
| 1 |
Sir Marmaduke Langdale defeats Major-General Lambert at Wentbridge in Yorkshire, temporarily raising the siege of Pontefract Castle. CRW |
| 3 |
Oliver Cromwell appointed cavalry commander in Waller's army. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Charles Prince of Wales goes to Bristol, to preside over his own Court and Council as Captain-General in the West. HGCW2 |
| |
1,000 Clubmen assemble on Woodbury Hill in Worcestershire and draw up a Declaration protesting at the depredations inflicted on the civilian population by soldiers of both sides. TWC |
| 8 |
Major-General Hurry sent into the Highlands against the Marquis of Montrose. RCRS |
| |
Cromwell storms and captures Hillesden House in Buckinghamshire. TCG |
| 9 |
Prince Rupert joins forces with Lieutenant-General Charles Gerard at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Rupert hopes to join Prince Maurice in opposing further Parliamentarian advances in Cheshire and Shropshire and relieving the sieges of Beeston Castle and Chester. ODNB, HGCW2 |
| 10 |
The King adjourns the Oxford Parliament. HGCW2 |
| 11 |
Lord Goring, with infantry from Exeter, advances into Somerset to besiege Taunton. HGCW2 |
| |
At Devizes in Wiltshire, Waller and Cromwell surprise a party of 400 Royalist Horse on their way to join Goring; only thirty escape. HGCW2 |
| |
Prince Rupert at Ludlow in Shropshire. HGCW2 |
| |
The Committee for Both Kingdoms orders Scottish and Parliamentarian forces to block Rupert's advance towards Chester, but Rupert is obliged to withdraw in order to deal with a popular uprising in Herefordshire. HGCW2 |
| 12 |
The Earl of Glamorgan receives a warrant from the King empowering him to negotiate a secret treaty with the Irish Confederates. ODNB |
| 13 |
Sir William Brereton renews the siege of Chester after the departure of Prince Maurice from the region. SGCW |
| 15 |
Major-General Hurry captures Aberdeen from the Royalists in a surprise attack but is forced to abandon it the following day. RCRS |
| 18 |
15,000 Clubmen appear before the gates of Hereford protesting at Royalist depredations in the area. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
Colonel Massey unsuccessfully attempts to recruit the Herefordshire Clubmen to the Parliamentarian cause. HGCW2 |
| |
The Committee for Both Kingdoms authorises the impressment of able-bodied men for the new Parliamentarian army. HGCW2 |
| |
Duncannon Fort in County Wexford surrenders to General Preston's Confederates after a two-month siege. TCW |
| 25 |
The Earl of Glamorgan sets sail for Ireland but is shipwrecked off the coast of Lancashire. ODNB |
| 29 |
Prince Rupert's troops disarm Clubmen at Ledbury in Herefordshire; three ringleaders hanged. CWH |
| 31 |
Parliament imposes fixed taxes to finance the New Model Army; the City advances a loan of £80,000. HGCW2 |
| |
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| |
(April) 1,400 Scottish infantry leave Ulster and return to Scotland to counter the threat from the Marquis of Montrose. Source: TCW |
| |
(Early April) Prince Rupert marches from Bristol into Herefordshire to suppress an uprising by Clubmen. ATKA |
| 3 |
Revised version of the Self-Denying Ordinance passed by the House of Lords. The Earls of Essex, Manchester and Denbigh resign their commissions. HGCW2 |
| 4 |
The Marquis of Montrose storms and plunders Dundee then evades Major-General Baillie's Covenanter army and escapes into the Highlands. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Major-General Skippon takes command of five infantry regiments of the Earl of Essex's army at Reading. HGCW2 |
| 6 |
Sir Thomas Fairfax, Captain-General of the New Model Army, reviews the Parliamentarian cavalry at St. Albans. DBD |
| 9 |
The Earl of Warwick resigns from the Office of Lord High Admiral. HGCW2 |
| 17 |
Sir William Waller resigns his commission. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
The office of Lord High Admiral replaced by a Parliamentary commission of six Lords and twelve members of the Commons. HGCW2 |
| 20 |
Cromwell ordered to advance to the west of Oxford in order to prevent Prince Maurice from taking the King's artillery to Prince Rupert at Hereford. HGCW2 |
| |
Soldiers of a newly-formed infantry regiment of the New Model Army stationed at Abingdon mutiny when Colonel Pickering proceeds to preach a sermon to them. HGCW2 |
| |
Lord Aboyne joins the Marquis of Montrose in the Highlands. HGCW2 |
| 22 |
Prince Rupert drives Colonel Massey's forces out of Ledbury in Herefordshire. TGCW |
| 23 |
The Prince of Wales at Bridgwater in Somerset. Commissioners from the western counties resolve to raise a new Royalist army. The siege of Taunton reinstated by Sir Richard Grenville and Sir John Berkeley. HGCW2 |
| |
Lieutenant-General Gerard defeats Colonel Laugharne at Newcastle Emlyn in Carmarthenshire. ODNB |
| 24 |
Cromwell defeats the Earl of Northampton near Islip and crosses the River Cherwell. HGCW2 |
| |
Bletchington House surrenders to Cromwell. The Royalist commander, Francis Windebank, court-martialled and shot on his return to Oxford. HGCW2 |
| |
Gerard advances to Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. ODNB |
| 25 |
Gerard captures Picton Castle near Haverfordwest. ODNB |
| 26 |
Parliament passes an ordinance forbidding laymen from preaching. Fairfax ordered to ensure that the ordinance is strictly obeyed in the army. HGCW2 |
| 26 |
Cromwell defeats Sir Henry Vaughan at Bampton. ATKA |
| 29 |
Cromwell's summons for the surrender of Faringdon Castle is rejected by Colonel Roger Burgess and his initial attack is repulsed. Lacking siege artillery, Cromwell withdraws. TGCW |
| |
Gerard captures Carew Castle near Pembroke to complete his rapid reconquest of south-western Wales for the King. ODNB |
| 30 |
Sir Thomas Fairfax marches from Windsor with the main body of the New Model Army to raise the siege of Taunton. HGCW2 |
| |
Lord Goring advances from the West with 2,000 horse to reinforce the King's army at Oxford. HGCW2 |
| |
Lieutenant-Colonel John Lilburne denied a command in the New Model Army after refusing to take the Covenant. DNB |
| |
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(May-June) Clubman risings in Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset. Source: TCW |
| 2 |
Cromwell and Fairfax rendezvous at Newbury. HGCW2 |
| 3 |
Lord Goring arrives at Faringdon Castle near Oxford. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice arrive at Oxford to confer with the King. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
Fairfax at Blandford in Dorset. He receives orders from London to abandon his march to the West and besiege Oxford. TGCW |
| |
The King's army marches from Oxford. TGCW |
| |
Lord Goring captures forty of Cromwell's horse near Burford. TGCW |
| 8 |
The Royalist high command holds a Council of War at Stow-on-the-Wold. The King and Prince Rupert march for the north. Lord Goring with three thousand cavalry goes to cut off Fairfax in the west and continue the siege of Taunton. HGCW2, TGCW |
| |
Colonel Blake repulses a Royalist assault on Taunton. HGCW2 |
| 9 |
Battle of Auldearn. The Marquis of Montrose defeats Colonel Hurry. HGCW2 |
| 10 |
The King's army is joined at Evesham by Sir Jacob Astley with three thousand foot. N1645 |
| 11 |
The King's army at Droitwich in Worcestershire. HGCW2 |
| |
Relief force from the New Model Army commanded by Colonel Welden raises the siege of Taunton. TGCW |
| |
Sir John Meldrum mortally wounded at the siege of Scarborough Castle. ODNB |
| 14 |
The King's army marches north from Droitwich. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
The Commissioners of the Admiralty appoint Vice-Admiral William Batten commander of the fleet. HGCW2 |
| |
Fifth Confederate Assembly meets at Kilkenny (until 31 May). TCW |
| 17 |
Lord Goring musters 11,000 troops on Sedgemoor in Somerset. HGCW2 |
| 18 |
Sir William Brereton abandons the sieges of Chester and Hawarden Castle as the King's army advances north. HGCW2 |
| 20 |
Lord Byron meets the King's army at Market Drayton in Shropshire with news of the abandonment of the siege of Chester. The King turns east towards Newark. N1645 |
| 22 |
The New Model Army surrounds Oxford and waits for the arrival of the siege train from London. HGCW2 |
| 23 |
Battle of Strathdon: Royalist Highlanders defeat Covenanter forces in north-eastern Scotland. TCW |
| 24 |
The Scottish commissioners in London complain at the lack of pay and supplies forwarded to Lord Leven's army. HGCW2 |
| 25 |
The Committee of Both Kingdoms orders General Massey to march against Lord Goring, in order to keep Goring's army occupied in the west. HGCW2 |
| |
4,000 Dorset Clubmen assemble at Wimborne St Giles and appoint an organised body of watchmen to seize army plunderers. AECW, HGCW2 |
| 26 |
General Massey storms and captures Evesham, breaking up Royalist lines of communication between Oxford and Worcester. HGCW2 |
| |
Cromwell ordered to strengthen the defences of the Isle of Ely against a possible attack on the Eastern Association by the King's army. HGCW2 |
| |
The King's army at Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire where news is received of the Parliamentarian attack on Oxford. Orders sent to Lord Goring to reinforce the King's army; Prince Rupert decides to attack Leicester in order to draw Fairfax away from Oxford. N1645 |
| 29 |
Langdale's Northern Horse cuts off approaches to Leicester and surrounds the town. DBD |
| 30-1 |
The King's army storms and pillages Leicester. HGCW2 |
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| 1 |
Galvanised by the fall of Leicester, Parliament orders the New Model Army to march north from Oxford against the King. Source: HGCW2 |
| 2 |
5,000 Clubmen gather at Castle Cary in Somerset to petition the Prince of Wales against the depredations of Lord Goring's men. AECW, DBD |
| 3 |
The Prince of Wales informs the Somerset Clubmen that he has written to Goring expressing his displeasure, but also warns them that they are breaking the law by appearing in such numbers. DBD |
| 4 |
The Northern Horse threaten to mutiny when the King orders the Royalist army to march south to relieve Oxford. Most return to duty when the King promises to march to defend Yorkshire from the Scots when Oxford is secure. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Fairfax abandons the siege of Oxford and marches north. HGCW2 |
| |
The King's army at Market Harborough. Royalist raiders begin gathering supplies for a relief convoy to Oxford. N1645 |
| 7 |
The King's army advances to Daventry to cover the Oxford relief convoy. HGCW2, N1645 |
| |
Fairfax at Newport Pagnell; his officers sign a letter requesting that Parliament appoint Cromwell Lieutenant-General of the New Model Army. HGCW2, N1645 |
| 9 |
Parliament grants Fairfax full operational control of his army in the field. HGCW2 |
| |
General Massey defeats Shropshire Royalist forces under Sir Thomas Lunsford and Sir Michael Woodhouse near Ludlow. ATKA |
| 10 |
Parliament authorises Cromwell's appointment as Lieutenant-General of Horse under Fairfax. HGCW2 |
| 12 |
Fairfax's cavalry patrols clash with Royalist outposts on Borough Hill near Daventry. HGCW2 |
| |
Lord Leven advances south to Doncaster. The Covenanter army is reduced to 6,500 men by sickness, detachments at the siege of Carlisle and troops recalled to Scotland to fight Montrose. RCRS |
| 13 |
The King attempts to withdraw to Market Harborough. Colonel Henry Ireton captures the unsuspecting Royalist rearguard. HGCW2 |
| |
Cromwell arrives at Fairfax's camp. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
Battle of Naseby: the New Model Army inflicts a decisive defeat on Prince Rupert and the King. Most of the King's artillery and supplies are captured. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
The King and Prince Rupert lead the remnants of the Royalist army to Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire. DBD |
| 16 |
The House of Lords confirms Cromwell's Lieutenant-Generalship for a further three months despite the terms of the Self-Denying Ordinance. A similar exemption granted to Sir William Brereton in Cheshire and Sir Thomas Middleton in north Wales. HGCW2 |
| |
The King arrives at Lichfield. DBD |
| 18 |
Leicester surrenders to Fairfax. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
The King withdraws to Hereford, still hoping to gain support from Ireland and to raise further troops from Wales. HGCW2 |
| 20 |
With the King's army no longer threatening Scotland, Lord Leven and the Covenanters turn south and arrive at Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. HGCW2 |
| 21 |
4,000 Royalist prisoners from Naseby and 50 captured standards paraded through London and camped in Tothill Fields. DBD |
| 26 |
Prince Rupert meets the Prince of Wales at Barnstaple to agree on measures for the defence of the west. DBD |
| |
The King appoints Sir Marmaduke Langdale governor of north Wales. Langdale ordered to consult with the Marquis of Ormond on means of shipping an army over from Ireland. HGCW2 |
| 28 |
Carlisle surrenders to Covenanters commanded by David Leslie and is occupied by a Scottish garrison. Leslie rejoins the main Covenanter army in England. Parliament asks Lord Leven to besiege Hereford. HGCW2 |
| |
Fairfax at Marlborough in Wiltshire en route to relieve the siege of Taunton. DBD |
| 29 |
Lord Goring abandons the siege of Taunton and withdraws towards Yeovil. HGCW2 |
| |
Aided by local Royalists, Clubmen rout a party of Massey's troops at Sturminster Newton in Dorset. HGCW2, TCG |
| 30 |
10,000 clubmen assemble in Glamorganshire proclaiming themselves the "Peaceable Army" and protesting at the tyranny of Lieutenant-General Charles Gerard, the Royalist commander in the region. TCW |
| |
Fairfax advances to Amesbury. DBD |
| |
(End of June) The Earl of Glamorgan arrives in Dublin. TCW |
| |
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| |
(July) Publication of the King's private papers captured at Naseby, which inflicts great political damage on the Royalist cause. Source: HGCW2 |
| |
(July) Major-General Robert Monro's Ulster army campaigns against the Confederates in Counties Down, Fermanagh and Armagh. TCW |
| 1 |
King Charles marches from Hereford for Abergavenney, hoping to raise a new army in south Wales. HGCW2 |
| 2 |
Battle of Alford. The Marquis of Montrose defeats Major-General Baillie. HGCW2 |
| |
Fairfax at Blandford in Dorset. HGCW2 |
| |
Lord Leven and the Covenanters advance from Nottingham towards the Severn Valley. ATKA |
| 3 |
The King moves to Raglan Castle in South Wales. HGCW2 |
| |
Fairfax reaches Dorchester where he conciliates a deputation of Clubmen who demand a pass to present a petition to King and Parliament for the cessation of hostilities. HGCW2 |
| 4 |
Prince Rupert at Bristol. ATKA |
| 5 |
Fairfax at Crewkerne in Somerset. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
Fairfax drives the Royalists back from Yeovil. Goring concentrates his forces at Langport in preparation for a withdrawal to Bridgwater and sends Lieutenant-General George Porter's cavalry to make a feint towards Taunton. ATKA |
| 8 |
The Scottish Parliament meets at Stirling to avoid an outbreak of plague in Edinburgh. It resolves to levy a new army to march against Montrose. RCRS |
| |
Lord Leven's Covenanter army, reinforced by an English contingent under Sir John Gell, reaches Alcester in Warwickshire. HGCW2 |
| |
General Massey defeats Lieutenant-General Porter's detachment at Isle Moor in Somerset. ATKA, TCG |
| 10 |
Battle of Langport. Fairfax routs Lord Goring's army. Goring retreats westwards into Devon. HGCW2 |
| 11 |
Fairfax meets leaders of the Somerset Clubmen, at Middlezoy. The Clubmen agree not to help the Royalists on the understanding that the Parliamentarians will pay for supplies and commit no offences against the local population. AECW |
| 21 |
Pontefract Castle surrenders to Parliament's Northern Association army, commanded by Colonel-General Poyntz. TCG |
| |
Fairfax storms Bridgwater in Somerset and captures the eastern quarter of the town. HGCW2 |
| 22 |
Prince Rupert confers with the King at Crick House near Chepstow. DRS |
| 23 |
Bridgwater surrenders to Fairfax after a further two days' bombardment, cutting off lines of communication between the Royalist south-western army and Bristol. HGCW2 |
| |
The Covenanters storm Canon Frome in Herefordshire. Colonel Barnard's garrison massacred. DRS |
| 24 |
The Scottish Parliament moves at Perth after the plague reaches Stirling. The new army musters at Perth. RCRS, HGCW2 |
| 25 |
Scarborough Castle surrenders to Colonel-General Poyntz. HGCW2 |
| 30 |
Lord Leven and the Covenanters besiege Hereford, defended by Sir Barnabas Scudamore. HGCW2 |
| 31 |
Bath captured in a surprise attack by Colonel Okey. ATKA |
| |
Welsh gentry demand the removal of Lieutenant-General Gerard from his command in south Wales. ODNB |
| |
(End of July) Cardinal Mazarin of France sends Jean de Montereul as an envoy to the Scottish commissioners in London, but in reality to influence negotiations for a settlement between England and Scotland that is favourable to France. HGCW2 |
| |
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| 1 |
Battle of Colby Moor. Sir Edward Stradling's Royalist army in Pembrokeshire defeated by a combined Parliamentarian army and naval force commanded by Colonel Rowland Laugharne and Vice-Admiral William Batten. Source: HGCW2 |
| 2 |
Fairfax besieges Sherborne Castle in Dorset, defended by Sir Lewis Dyve. HGCW2 |
| 3 |
Leaders of the Dorset Clubmen arrested at Shaftesbury when, encouraged by local Royalists, they threaten to hinder Fairfax's operations. AECW, HGCW2 |
| 4 |
Cromwell disperses a force of 2,000 Clubmen at Hambledon Hill near Shaftesbury. AECW |
| 5 |
The King marches from Wales to the north, hoping to join with Montrose. HGCW2 |
| |
Colonel Laugharne storms and captures the Royalist castle at Haverfordwest. HGCW2 |
| 6 |
The Earl of Glamorgan leaves Dublin for Kilkenny with a warrant from the King to negotiate a secret treaty with the Confederates. ODNB |
| 8 |
The King's army at Bridgnorth in Shropshire. DRS |
| 11 |
Parliamentarian siege artillery arrives at Sherborne. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
Battle of Kilsyth near Glasgow. The Marquis of Montrose defeats Major-General William Baillie. HGCW2 |
| |
Sir Lewis Dyve surrenders Sherborne Castle to Fairfax. TGCW |
| |
King Charles at Welbeck in Nottinghamshire with 2,200 horse and 400 foot. HGCW2 |
| |
(Mid-August) Cardinal Mazarin's envoy Jean de Montereul secretly confers with Scottish commissioners in London regarding the possibility of a separate peace treaty between the Covenanters and the King. HGCW2 |
| 16 |
Montrose occupies Glasgow. HGCW2 |
| 17 |
Sir Robert Stewart and the Laggan army rout Irish cavalry near Sligo. ODNB |
| 18 |
Montrose moves his army out to Bothwell after finding it difficult to prevent the Highlanders from plundering Glasgow. HGCW2 |
| |
The King advances to Doncaster in Yorkshire. HGCW2 |
| |
Fairfax marches from Sherborne for Bristol. HGCW2 |
| 19 |
Parliament issues an ordinance to elect elders for a national Presbyterian church in England but the Covenanters are appalled to learn that the church will be subservient to Parliament. AOI, RCRS |
| |
Peace negotiations reopened between agents of the Confederate Assembly and the Marquis of Ormond. HGCW3 |
| 20 |
The King retreats from Yorkshire towards Newark. Colonel-General Poyntz gathers Parliamentarian forces to oppose him in Yorkshire; a force of Covenanter cavalry commanded by David Leslie marches up against him from Hereford. HGCW2 |
| |
Unable to advance to Edinburgh because of plague in the burgh, Montrose calls for a new Scottish Parliament to meet at Glasgow in October. RCRS |
| |
Colonel John Dalbier begins the third siege of Basing House. SGCW |
| 21 |
Fairfax and Cromwell reconnoitre the defences of Bristol, defended by Prince Rupert. ATKA |
| 23 |
Sir Richard Crane, commander of Prince Rupert's Lifeguard, killed during a skirmish at the siege of Bristol. ATKA |
| |
Fairfax's army completes the circumvallation of Bristol. HGCW2 |
| 24 |
The King's army occupies and plunders Huntingdon. HGCW2 |
| 25 |
The Earl of Glamorgan concludes the secret Glamorgan Treaty with the Irish Confederates, promising major concessions to Roman Catholics in exchange for troops to fight for the King in England. TCW, ODNB |
| 28 |
The King arrives at Oxford, his army is quartered in garrisons around the city. DRS |
| |
Parliamentarians capture a fort at Portishead, cutting off Bristol's link down the River Avon to the Bristol Channel. HGCW2 |
| 29 |
Charles, Prince of Wales, arrives at Exeter. HGCW2 |
| 30 |
The King's army marches from Oxford to raise the siege of Hereford. DRS |
| |
(Late August) Major-General Monro campaigns in Counties Armagh, Monaghan, Longford and Cavan. TCW |
| |
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| |
(Sept-Nov) Clubmen risings in Berkshire, Sussex, Hampshire, South Wales and Welsh borders. Source: TCW |
| 1 |
The King's army reaches Worcester on its way to raise the siege of Hereford. DRS |
| |
Lord Leven receives news of Montrose's successes in Scotland; he abandons the siege of Hereford and marches northwards. HGCW2 |
| 4 |
The King's army occupies Hereford. HGCW2 |
| |
Fairfax formally summons Prince Rupert to surrender Bristol. ATKA |
| 5 |
The Marquis of Montrose marches south from Glasgow towards the border with England. RCRS |
| 6 |
Lieutenant-General David Leslie crosses the border into Scotland with 4,000 Covenanter horse in pursuit of Montrose. HGCW2 |
| 7 |
King Charles at Raglan Castle. DRS |
| 10 |
Storming of Bristol begins. ATKA |
| 11 |
Prince Rupert surrenders Bristol to Fairfax. ATKA |
| |
Lieutenant-General Leslie joins forces with Lothian troops near Edinburgh and turns south towards Selkirk. RCRS |
| 13 |
Battle of Philiphaugh. David Leslie defeats the Marquis of Montrose. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
The King, influenced by Rupert's enemies at court, dismisses him from his service for surrendering Bristol. HGCW2 |
| |
(Mid September) Encouraged by the French envoy Montereul, the Scottish commissioners in London reach agreement with English Presbyterians (represented by the Earl of Holland) on proposals for a separate peace treaty with the King. The proposals sent to Queen Henrietta Maria in Paris to be communicated to King Charles. HGCW2 |
| 18 |
The King sets out from Raglan in another attempt to join with Montrose, not knowing of the defeat at Philiphaugh. The King is accompanied by his lifeguard and the remnants of the Oxford army cavalry. Near Hay-on-Wye, he is joined by Sir Marmaduke Langdale's Northern Horse and Charles Gerard's cavalry brigade from Wales. HGCW2 |
| 20 |
Colonel Michael Jones storms the outer defences of Chester and begins bombarding the main city walls. SGCW |
| 21 |
A detachment commanded by Lieutenant-General Cromwell occupies Devizes in Wiltshire and besieges the castle. TCG |
| 22 |
Sir Charles Lloyd surrenders Devizes Castle to Cromwell after a heavy bombardment. TCG |
| |
King Charles at Chirk Castle in north Wales. DRS |
| 23 |
The King turns from his northward march in an attempt to raise the siege of Chester. HGCW2 |
| |
The House of Commons votes to ask Lord Leven's Scottish army to come south and besiege Newark. HGCW3 |
| 24 |
Battle of Rowton Heath near Chester. Colonel-General Poyntz defeats the King's cavalry under Sir Marmaduke Langdale. HGCW2 |
| 25 |
The King retreats from Chester to Denbigh. HGCW2 |
| 26 |
Sir Charles Lucas surrenders Berkeley Castle to Colonel Rainsborough. HGCW2, ODNB |
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Lord Byron rejects a summons to surrender Chester. SGCW |
| 28 |
Cromwell enters the city of Winchester and summons Winchester Castle to surrender. SGCW |
| 30 |
The Scottish Commissioners in London complain at Parliament's unreliability in paying Lord Leven's troops. HGCW3 |
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(Late September) Charles, Prince of Wales withdraws from Exeter to Launceston in Cornwall. HGCW2 |
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| 3 |
Bombardment of Winchester Castle begins. Source: SGCW |
| 4 |
The King arrives at Newark. HGCW2 |
| 5 |
Lord Ogle surrenders Winchester Castle to Cromwell. SGCW |
| 6 |
Fairfax's advance into the west delayed at Chard, Somerset, because of unrest amongst the soldiers over arrears of pay. HGCW2 |
| 8 |
Cromwell reinforces the siege of Basing House in Hampshire. HGCW2 |
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The town of Sligo captured by Sir Charles Coote in co-operation with the Laggan army. ODNB, TLA |
| 9 |
Further negotiations for the surrender of Chester rejected by Lord Byron. SGCW |
| 10 |
Chepstow surrenders to Colonel Morgan. ODNB |
| 11 |
Parliament's treasure convoy reaches Fairfax's army; once paid, the soldiers prepare to continue the advance. HGCW2 |
| 12 |
Papal nuncio Archbishop Rinuccini arrives in Ireland. TCW |
| 13 |
The King holds a council of war at Welbeck Abbey, north of Newark, where a messenger finally brings Montrose's despatch reporting his defeat at Philiphaugh. The King returns to Newark but appoints Lord Digby Lieutenant-General and sends him with Langdale's Northern Horse to join Montrose and attempt to salvage the Royalist cause in Scotland. HGCW2 |
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The House of Commons complains about the conduct of the Scottish army and demands that the Scots withdraw from their garrisons in northern English towns. HGCW2 |
| 14 |
Cromwell's army storms and sacks Basing House. HGCW2 |
| 15 |
Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale defeat Parliamentarian infantry at Sherburn-in-Elmet, between Selby and Leeds, but are subsequently routed by Colonel Copley's cavalry. HGCW2 |
| 16 |
Prince Rupert, accompanied by Prince Maurice, arrives at Newark to try and salvage his reputation after the surrender of Bristol. HGCW2 |
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The Committee of Estates orders the execution without trial of senior Irish officers captured at Philiphaugh. RCRS |
| 17 |
The Scottish commissioners in London make tentative proposals for negotiating with the King. HGCW3 |
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The Catholic Archbishop of Tuam killed during a raid by Covenanter troops from Sligo; among his papers is found a copy of the Earl of Glamorgan's provisional treaty between the Irish Confederates and the King. ODNB |
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Fairfax advances to Tiverton in Devon and captures the town and proceeds to bombard the castle. TCG |
| 19 |
Tiverton Castle surrenders to Fairfax after a lucky shot breaks the chains holding up the drawbridge. HGCW2 |
| 20 |
Fairfax's army takes up winter quarters around Exeter. HGCW2 |
| 21 |
The Royalist Council of War at Newark absolves Prince Rupert and acknowledges that he is not guilty of any failure in courage or fidelity. HGCW2 |
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The Committee of Estates orders the execution of captured senior Scottish Royalists who had supported Montrose; others are fined, imprisoned or banished. HGCW3 |
| 22 |
Lord Digby's correspondence (captured at Sherburn) read in Parliament, revealing the extent of the King's negotiations with foreign powers. HGCW3 |
| 24 |
Final defeat of the Northern Horse by Sir John Browne on Carlisle Sands. Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale escape to the Isle of Man. HGCW2 |
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Cromwell and Fairfax rendezvous at Crediton, Devon. HGCW2 |
| 25 |
The town of Monmouth surrenders to Colonel Morgan. ODNB |
| 26 |
After a near mutiny over the King's dismissal of Sir Richard Willys, the governor of Newark, Prince Rupert and most of the King's cavalry officers leave for Belvoir Castle. HGCW2 |
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| 1 |
At Denbigh, Colonel Michael Jones defeats a Royalist force under Sir William Vaughan marching for the relief of Chester. Source: ODNB |
| 3 |
Royalist outpost at Shelford Manor near Newark stormed by Colonel-General Poyntz and the Northern Association army; the defenders massacred. HGCW2 |
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The King leaves Newark. HGCW2 |
| 4 |
Royalist garrison at Wiverton Hall near Newark surrenders to Poyntz. ODNB |
| 5 |
The King reaches Oxford. HGCW2 |
| 11 |
3,000 Clubmen assemble at Bredon Hill near Evesham in Worcestershire. They formally declare for Parliament and form the nucleus of an unofficial militia against the Royalists. TWC |
| 12 |
The papal nuncio Archbishop Rinuccini arrives at Kilkenny. HGCW3 |
| 16 |
Surrender of Beeston Castle near Chester to the Parliamentarians. SGCW |
| 19 |
Lord Byron rejects a further summons to surrender Chester and continues to raid the Parliamentarian siege works. SGCW |
| 20 |
Sir Kenelm Digby signs a treaty with the Pope on behalf of Queen Henrietta Maria. In return for military aid, the Roman Treaty promises even greater concessions for Catholics than the Earl of Glamorgan's treaty. Rinuccini urges that the Roman Treaty be adopted in Ireland. HGCW3 |
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Lord Goring flees to France. ODNB |
| 26 |
The Scottish Parliament meets at St Andrews until February 1646. Its main business is the punishment of those who supported Montrose and raising new forces to be sent against him. HGCW3 |
| 27 |
Lord Leven and the Covenanters join Poyntz and the Northern Association army to besiege Newark. HGCW3 |
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(December) Most of the cavalry brought by David Leslie into Scotland returns to England. Source: TCW |
| 2 |
The Marquis of Montrose besieges Inverness. TCW |
| 5 |
King Charles proposes to negotiate with Parliament (whilst also proposing to negotiate separately with the Scots). HGCW3 |
| 8 |
Prince Rupert returns to Oxford and is partially reconciled with the King, but is no longer accepted as a close adviser. HGCW3 |
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(Mid-December) Parliamentarian attack on Powderham Castle near Exeter repulsed. TCG |
| 18 |
Colonel Morgan and Colonel Birch capture Hereford for Parliament in a surprise attack. TCG |
| 20 |
Archbishop Rinuccini and the Earl of Glamorgan sign a new treaty at Kilkenny (the "Second Glamorgan Treaty"). TCW |
| 23 |
Parliament and the Scottish commissioners reject the King's proposal to send commissioners to Westminster. HGCW3 |
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The Scottish Parliament orders the execution without trial of all Irish captives from Montrose's old army. HGCW3 |
| 24 |
The Earl of Glamorgan returns to Dublin hoping to gain Ormond's consent for his new arrangements with Rinuccini. HGCW3 |
| 25 |
Colonels Fleetwood and Whalley despatched to watch the King's forces at Oxford, while Fairfax maintains the blockade of Exeter. HGCW3 |
| 26 |
Charles, Prince of Wales, attempts to concentrate western Royalist forces at Tavistock in Devon. HGCW3 |
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The Earl of Glamorgan brought before the Marquis of Ormond and charged with treason by Lord Digby. Ormond claims that he knew nothing of Glamorgan's secret dealings with the Confederates. Glamorgan kept in custody. ODNB |
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