Battles & Campaigns · 1644
Second Battle of Newbury
Speen, Newbury, Berkshire, England, UK
What happened
Waller's troops marched all the way around the Royalist position to attack Speen from the west, while Manchester attacked Shaw House. Waller took Speen, but a Royalist cavalry counterattack pushed back Cromwell's horsemen. At dusk the Royalists still held their lines.
Why it matters
The result was a draw, but the King slipped away overnight to Oxford. Parliament's leadership failures were exposed.
What came next
Disputes between Manchester and Cromwell led to the Self-denying Ordinance and the New Model Army, which won the First Civil War for Parliament the next year.
Did you know?
Manchester argued against fighting on: 'If we fight 100 times and beat him 99 he will be King still.'
Timeline
- 2 Sep 1644Surrender at Lostwithiel.
- 27 Oct 1644Second Battle of Newbury.
- 9 Nov 1644The King relieves Donnington Castle.
- 14 Jun 1645New Model Army wins at Naseby.