December 1645

Used with permission

1645 was undoubtedly the fulcrum year of the First Civil War. Although the Royalists had suffered a major setback at Marston Moor, the King still commanded widespread support and his military position offered grounds for optimism- one or two significant victories and troops and resources would flood back.

Despite their internal splits and divisions, the situation also looked positive for Parliament. They had achieved a major victory outside York, and their military forces had been modernised to make them more efficient. As both sides waited for the weather to improve in early 1645, everything was still to play for.

The opening months of 1645 brought further setbacks for the King and his troops. Following Parliament's stunning victory at Marston Moor, Royalist and Parliamentary forces had clashed in open battle in Wales with small but significant victories being recorded by the Parliamentary forces at Colby Moor and Montgomery.

Following these defeats, the Royalists retreated to their castles, safe from further attack, but unable to influence the outcome of the war in any meaningful way. In time, all these defensive strongholds would fall to the Parliamentarians.

The Roundheads continued to make further inroads against the Royalist forces in Wales and the West Country throughout 1645. In April 1645, Cromwell moved north and positioned himself west of Oxford, cutting the lines of communication between Charles in Oxford and Rupert, who was positioned on the Welsh border. At a Royalist Council of War, it was decided that the King should march north to Scotland to meet the victorious Montrose. There he would be able to rally a large Royalist force as well as avoiding the encircling armies of Cromwell and Fairfax now closing in on Oxford. However, before the King could make this move, capricious fate intervened.

On June 12th 1645, Charles was enjoying a happy day's stag-hunting in Daventry when Royalist scouts suddenly discovered that Fairfax was only five miles away. The Cavaliers quickly withdrew to Market Harborough with Fairfax and Cromwell hard on their heels. There they decided to turn and face the Parliamentary army at Naseby- for the last great engagement of the First Civil War.