Civil War Battles Flashcards
What was the attack on Turnham Green?
Essex and Earl of Warwick raised 24,000 against 13,000 royalists at Turnham Green with Trained Bands. On 13 Nov 1642 royalists attempted attack but were outnumbered and by darkness Lord Forth withdrew royalists from London
Outline siege of Gloucester in 1643
Gloucester a Parl stronghold between Bristol and Lancashire with walls dated from Roman times. Governor Edward Massie had 1500 men under command. He set reinforcements anticipating royalist attack. Earl of Forth directed siege on 10 Aug with city surrounded and 25000 royalists. Massie held defence and royalist artillery attack failed. 1000 royalists died compared to 50 from Gloucester. 19 Aug, Trained Bands accompany Essex to relieve Gloucester by 8th Sept.
Outline Newbury 1643.
On return from Gloucester royalists overtook Parliamentarians and captured Newbury. Each side had 14,000. Essex approached Enborne. Newbury’s layout made Parl cavalry approach difficult. On Sept 20th Round Hill seized by Parl. Sir Phillip Skippon defended Round Hill against Lord Wentworth and Colonel George Lisle’s force, and Essex’s regiment pushed Byron’s calvary back. Prince Rupert’s royalists made attacks to south of Round Hill but infantry had strong defence. London trained bands held southern flank with sustained artillery and 3500 royalists died at Newbury. On 21 Sept Essex headed home as royalists surrendered.
How did Pym deal with divides of war and peace parties?
With the final breakdown of relations between King and Parliament, Pym skillfully bridged the conflicting policies of the parliamentary “War” and “Peace” parties: on the one hand he promoted negotiations for a treaty with the Royalists, while at the same time he worked industriously to set up the infrastructure necessary to maintain and finance the Parliamentarian war-effort.
What did Pym do to finance Parliament during war?
He organised loans from City financiers and introduced legislation for several fiscal innovations: assessments (land tax), excise duties and the sequestration (confiscation) of Royalist estates. Pym also played a leading role in organising the network of regional and central committees that administered the nation throughout the civil wars and continued to function during the Commonwealth and Protectorate years.
What alliance was Pym responsible for?
In 1643, Pym proposed an alliance with the Scottish Covenanters against the King. Royalist victories in 1643 persuaded Parliament to adopt the proposal. Although the terms of the Solemn League and Covenant made more concessions to Presbyterianism than Pym wished, he realised that a military alliance with the Scots was essential if the King was to be defeated. He was the first of the English Parliamentarians to sign the Covenant on 25 September 1643.
