Battles & Campaigns · 1643
First Battle of Newbury
Newbury, Berkshire, England, UK
What happened
Essex was marching back to London after relieving Gloucester when the King caught up with him at Newbury. Essex attacked at dawn and took high ground. The London Trained Bands closed a dangerous gap in his line, and fighting stopped at night.
Why it matters
The next morning the Royalists, short of gunpowder, let Essex continue to London. Many historians see it as the high point of the Royalist advance.
What came next
Parliament's anger after the battle helped lead to the Solemn League and Covenant, which brought Scotland into the war on Parliament's side.
Did you know?
By the end of the fighting, the Royalists had used 80 of their 90 barrels of gunpowder.
Timeline
- 20 Sep 1643First Battle of Newbury.
- 1643Solemn League and Covenant with Scotland.
- 27 Oct 1644Second Battle of Newbury.