From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prince Rupert at the head of a flying column found Essex's army dangerously extended at Aldbourne Chase. The action that followed was inconclusive, but allowed to Royalists to get to Newbury ahead of the Parliamentarian army.
[edit] Prelude
After relieving the siege of Gloucester, Essex needed to bring his army back to London, and the Royalists saw an oppotunity to stop him. Essex marched north on 10th September to Tewkesbury to feint an attack on Worcester. However, the Royalist army blocked his path at Pershore, and Essex decided on the southern path back to London through Swindon, Newbury and Reading. On 15th September, the Parliamentarian army turned south and scattered a Royalist garrison at Cirencester. The King's army, marching parallel to Essex, attempted to cut him off, and Rupert's cavalry rode ahead to intercept Essex. He met the army of Parliament on the 18th September at Aldbourne[3].
[edit] The battle
Dawn on the 18th September brought wet weather. Rupert's cavalry found Essex's troops extended in line of March across Aldbourne Chase. A running action ensued, including a charge by Colonel Harvey against the Royalists to no avail. The battle passed through the village of Aldbourne, where ammunition wagons were upset and destroyed to prevent their capture [4].
[edit] Aftermath
Following the action, Essex decided to take the route to Newbury via Hungerford[5], where some of the wounded died[6]. This allowed the King's army to occupy Newbury on the 19th September just before the Parliamentarians arrived. The delay at Aldbourne led to the First Battle of Newbury of the 20th September.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
