The Battle - The Battle of Worcester Society

Worcester's place

in UK history

The Battle of Worcester was fought in 1651 and was the final conflict in a series of civil wars between King and Parliament that had begun in 1642. Worcester has a unique place in the history of the civil wars. The clash at Powick on the outskirts of the city in September 1642 marked the start of the serious fighting and Worcester was the concluding battle marking an end, albeit briefly, of monarchical rule in the 3 kingdoms.

“When your wives and children shall ask you where you have been, and what news: say you have been at Worcester, where England’s sorrows began and where they are happily ended” – Hugh Peter/s – a Preacher who supported the Parliamentarians.

The Battle of Worcester took place on Wednesday 3rd September 1651 between a Royalist (mainly Scottish) army under the personal command of Charles Stuart (Charles II of Scotland) and the Parliamentary army under the command of Oliver Cromwell.

Worcester was occupied by Royalist forces at the time of the battle. Cromwell launched a two-pronged attack on the city. By the end of the day up to 4,000 Scottish soldiers were dead and up to 10,000 captured. Parliamentary losses are put at 200. The Royalist cause was shattered and Charles fled for his life.

The battle was the final conflict of a series of civil wars that cost the lives of an estimated 100,000 civilians, some 3.7% of the country.

The

Parliamentarians

On 22nd August 1642 relations between the King and Parliament had broken down completely and the King raised his Battle Standard at Nottingham Castle as a declaration of war against Parliament and began raising a Royalist army. The country became divided with some supporting Parliament and others supporting the King.

The Parliamentarians became known by the insulting name of ‘Roundheads’ due to their short, cropped hair rather than wearing their hair in the long flowing style of the Royalists. They were also known as ‘Rebels’ by the Royalists. In 1645 Parliament raised a full time professional army known as the New Model Army, rather than the part-time Militia soldiers who were called out when needed. They were also known as the ‘Ironsides’ due to the armour they wore.

The

Royalists

The English or British Civil War took many years to build up. A Parliament had operated in England since King John (buried in Worcester Cathedral) put his seal on the Magna Carte in 1215.

But it was unpopular with many Monarchs that followed. In particular King Charles I (1625-1649) wanted to rule on his own and did not allow Parliament to sit from March 1629 to April 1640 in what later became known as his Personal Rule.

The Royalists became known as ‘Cavaliers’ a Spanish name for a horseman. Many wealthy noblemen who dressed in fine clothes supported the King and brought many of their employees to the Royalist cause.