York running low on supplies...

It's been several weeks since York played host to the armies of Newcastle and Byron. Rumour has it that supplies in the town are being depleted rapidly leaving some troops to go hungry and dissatisfaction begin to spread through the ranks of troops and local residents alike.... It does not appear that the lords Newcastle or Byron are going hungry yet though!

Scots take Berwick late Feb

In clear skies, Scots cavalry advanced to Berwick reaching the environs on late 22 Feb. The main Scots army advanced from Eyemouth on 24 Feb yet marched in such a disorganised fashion that they did not arrive in good order until 27 feb. Some troops took up positions north of the town whilst others marched west to seek a river crossing. They finished the 29 feb 5 miles west of the town, south of the Tweed. The army was unable to find any suitable places east of the town to camp. The artillery formed up in two Batteries opposite the North gates of the town. On the 28 Feb a message was sent into Berwick offering free passage southwards. The garrison commander seeing that all attempts at resistance would be futile, duly sent a message out at dusk on the 29 Feb saying he would surrender the town as long as the trained band within the town were allowed to return to their homes within the town without duress. The gates would be open at dawn on 1 March to allow the Scots passage through the town.

Rupert and Manchester miss their chance at Newark 20/21 Feb

Vermuyden's Rgt. of Roundhead Horse patrolled south of Newark came across a small Royalist cavalry force advancing north at Radcliffe on Trent on the 20 feb. After brief skirmishing the Royalist cavalry grew in considerable number with several regiments marching into view. Parliament's cavalry pulled back and throughout the 21 feb were pushed further north until they took safety and retreated into Leadenham on the 21. They were not pursued past Newark but the size of force implied it was Rupert in person who had marched into Newark. Rupert chose not to pursue the Parliamntary cavalry passed Newark. Instead he marched off north. Had he pushed East he would have located Manchester's main army just a few miles from Newark. Had Manchester been more confident and aggressive he could have pinned Rupert's men at Newark..... missed chances on both sides!!

Earl of Essex fails to take Reading 22 Feb

The Earl of Essex arrived with his parliamentary army outside Reading on 22 Feb Despite being heavily outnumbered and his men urging him 9:1 to surrender, the garrison commander decided to defy the odds and haughtily rejected Essex'x offer of surrender and the honours of war. His men busied themselves in strengthening the defences and awaited Essex's next move. Uncertainty spread through the Roundhead ranks. It was unclear whether an assault was planned or not. Eventually after a day's delay Essex's main body marched away towards Henley leaving a regiment of foot and horse to shield Reading on its east side

The fall of Selby 23 feb

Fairfax's army arrived at Selby in North Yorkshire south of York on 23 Feb.Selby was held by only 400 Royalists so the town was assaulted straight away. Fighting lasted most of the day and casualties taken on all sides. Fairfax lost 600 men. But, eventually the Royalist trained bands were overcome and serious slaughter took place. The Roundheads also had to fight off Goring’s cavalry regiment sent from York to see what was going on. They retired north as night fell.

Wooler sacked 20 Feb

Scots forces put the English border town of Wooler to fire and sword on 20 Feb... a taste of things to come?

Battle of Winchester 28 Feb

Waller’s Roundhead army marched out of Farnham on 22 feb and marched through Alton to New Alresford. The outskirts of Winchester were reached on the evening of 27 Feb. The town was already in a state of readiness as Hopton's Royalist army was almost ready to march out of the town anyway. Lack of scouting though meant Hopton was taken by suprise. Dawn on the 28 feb saw Waller attempt a surprise attack on Winchester. Hopton's men were completely thrown off guard and the surprise assault saw Waller’s troops gain entry to the town. However victory was within his grasp when one final sortie by the Royalists pushed his troops back out of the town and outside the town walls. The attack came within a miniscule of succeeding but in the event Hopton held out and the town remained in Royalist hands. Much powder was used in the fight. Waller’s losses amounted to almost half his army, 3000, in injury death and desertions following his assualt. Royalist casualties were less severe with around 400 dead and injured. Both sides spent the 29 feb licking their wounds.

Poole falls 23 Feb

Maurice and his Royalist army besiged Poole in Dorset in mid Feb . After besieging the town Maurice made a daring offer to a roundhead officer in the town - money and freedom in return for opening the gates to the town. The officer reseived the offer on 22 Feb but was uncertain. He stood on the battlements torn by his conscience not knowing which way to turn. He could not decide whether to betray the town or take the money and flee the country. He decided to trust God and place his fate in the throw of a coin. He tossed it in the air, if it landed with the Kings head face upward he would know he was meant to side with the King and open the town gates and deliver the town to Maurice’s men stood outside. The coin flew high in the air, twisting and turning and fell to the floor. Maurice spied the movement and wondered what was happening. He realized a coin was falling and guessed which way up it had fallen…. He chose heads and wondered what it meant. A few hours later he received a message from the officer asking him to send troops to the town gates and they would be opened for them At dawn on the 23 feb maurice’s men marched to the gates to find them open. They charged in to catch the defenders off guard. After much fierce fighting the town was taken. The unnamed officer received his reward and then intended to slip away into the English channel heading for France. However Maurice had other plans and the officer was intercepted on his way to the sea side and not seen again. As word spread through the town of this act of ungentlemanly conduct Maurice’s men grew restless and many decided to desert and leave for home. Fighting losses were 700 for Maurice’s men and 300 deserting in disgust The 2000 troops holding Poole for parliament were either killed or routed from the town and have scattered as a fighting force.