Battle of Edgehill
Part of the First English Civil War
Date: October 23, 1642 Location: Edge Hill, Warwickshire Result: Inconclusive, arguable Royalist victory
Combatants
Royalists	Parliamentarians
Commanders
Charles I,Prince Rupert	Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex
Strength
14,400	14,700

The Battle of Edgehill (or Edge Hill) was the first pitched battle of the First English Civil War. It was fought near Kineton in southern Warwickshire on 23 October 1642. The inconclusive result denied the Royalists the chance to march on London and achieve a quick victory over the Parliamentarians, and led to three years of civil war.

Strategy

On 12 October King Charles I set out with his Royalist forces from Shrewsbury heading for London. In parallel to Charles' southerly movement, the Earl of Essex with the Parliamentarian forces set out from Worcester, also headed for London. By 21 October they were barely seven miles away from each other.

Perceiving the dangers of a flanking attack, Charles was persuaded by Prince Rupert to deploy on the side of Edge Hill. Essex, unaware of their proximity, drew dangerously close before actually preparing his troops. Battle commenced in the afternoon of 23 October.

Tactics

As Charles rode past his forces to raise morale, the Parliamentarian artillery opened fire because they thought they were being teased. This started an exchange of artillery fire that lasted for about an hour. At this point Prince Rupert started the battle properly by leading the Royalist cavalry charge, whereupon a substantial number of the Parliamentarian cavalry defected by prior arrangement and rode off to join the Royalists. A swath was cut through the remaining cavalry on the Parliamentarian left wing so that two neighbouring infantry regiments were disrupted. Many of their men routed and ran when faced by Rupert's cavalry and the sight of their own cavalry's treachery. In a critical error, the Royalist cavalry continued in pursuit of the fleeing infantry, leaving the Royalist right unsupported. However, only extremely well dressed disciplined cavalry will regroup in such circumstances.

The Parliamentarian cavalry reserve was brought up and the Royalist infantry centre, unprotected by cavalry, was cut apart from the rear. This is where Lord Lindsey died. However, the Royalist infantry managed to regroup and form a new defensive line. Essex, seeing that Rupert's cavalry was returning, and also conscious of the gathering darkness, decided to disengage.

Outcome

Although neither side at Edgehill could claim a decisive victory, the result was that Charles "won" in so far as Essex withdrew and the road to London was now open to King Charles. However, Charles did not take advantage of his opportunity. His natural caution asserted itself, and by the time his troops reached Reading, Essex had regained London and a fresh force of men prevented any further royalist advance. Charles never again had so clear an opportunity to take London as he did after Edgehill.

Maps

• The official Battlefield. This is the site of the Parliamentarian army's centre about which much of the fighting was done.
• The broader Battlefield. The narrow wood, which has probably grown since the battle, marks the scarp of Edge Hill at the top of which the king's army formed up before the battle. Towards the north-west, it overlooks the lower slope and the plain on which the battle was fought. Parliament's army was formed up on the site of the later military depot with its left wing on the road.

Reference

Seymour, W. Battles in Britain, 1066-1746. (1997) ISBN 1-85326-672-8

Scott, C.L., Turton, A & Gruber von Arni, E. Edgehill: The Battle Reinterpreted. (2005) ISBN 1-84415-133-6