The Great Siege of Newcastle 1644 by Rosie Serdiville

Author:Rosie Serdiville
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750953498
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2013-07-28T16:00:00+00:00

6

No Coals from Newcastle –

Autumn 1644

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,

And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,

Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour:-

The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

‘Elegy written in a Country Churchyard’ Thomas Gray (1716–1771)

When you are occupying a position which the enemy threatens to surround, collect all your force immediately, and menace him with an offensive movement.

Napoleon Bonaparte

The Battle of Marston Moor

On 2 July 1644, not far beyond the shelter of York’s ancient walls, the fate of the north was finally decided at Marston Moor, the largest fight in the whole bloody course of the Civil Wars. Rupert had responded to Newcastle’s pleas and brought a relief army, perhaps 8,000 strong, swelled by Goring and Lucas with 5,000 horse and a further 800 foot. His orders from the King were ambiguous; he was to relieve the city but was not barred from fighting a general engagement. Given the Prince’s martial and aggressive disposition, it was sure he would construe his instructions accordingly. Older courtiers were horrified at the implications.

Moving with customary alacrity, he was at Knaresborough by 30 June. The combined forces of the Scots and Parliamentarians established a blocking position at Long Marston. Rupert neatly sidestepped through Boroughbridge, Overton and Poppleton, captured a pontoon bridge indifferently guarded and entered York on 1 July. He was resolved to give battle, neither Newcastle nor King favoured the idea but reluctantly accepted his order. Newcastle’s Tercio, with his Whitecoats was of course present. The Whitecoats, it is said, gained their name from the undyed white wool of their doublets; insufficient dye being available at the time. ‘They requested him [Newcastle] to let them have it un-dyed as it was, promising they themselves would dye it in the enemy’s blood.’

Consequently, the Allies drew up with Cromwell’s horse on their right, assisted by David Leslie, the Anglo-Scottish foot drawn up in three lines, Fairfax and his cavalry on the left. Newcastle’s foot formed the bulk of the Royalist centre with Byron and Goring on their flanks. Even with the union of Rupert’s and Newcastle’s forces those of Parliament still enjoyed a significant numerical superiority. It seemed as the two armies stood, flags flapping in the long drowsy warmth of a summer’s afternoon, that no battle would be fought that day. Just before 7 p.m. the guns crashed in a loud if largely ineffective cannonade. Then the foot began to march. Many Royalists had relaxed and were eating their rations thinking the day too far advanced. Goring charged home and routed the Scots opposite. Cromwell’s men did rather better, though he was himself wounded. The infantry fight in the centre raged long and hard and indeed it seemed as though Newcastle’s foot might yet win a glorious victory and save the north for their King. Cromwell, however, now returned to the field and threw his cavalry against their uncovered flank.

This was the crisis and Cromwell’s resolute action decided the battle. Newcastle’s Whitecoats formed a courgageous rearguard as the broken Royalists streamed away.

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