The star of the Cavalier army was Charles's nephew and General of the Horse, Prince Rupert of the Rhine.
At twenty three, he was beautiful, arrogant and a soldier of great skill. With his numerous mistresses and white poodle named 'Boy', Rupert was the pin-up of the Royalists.
He had, like many other combatants in these wars, fought with great honour in the Thirty Years War and suffered three years imprisonment for his pains. His reckless bravado and bravery quickly earned him the loyalty of his troops; his intellect and strategic skills earned him Charles's admiration.
He pioneered the cavalry charge in England as well as new advances in landmines. The clapped-out generals who comprised the rest of the Royalist Army Council were altogether less enamoured of the young upstart. Above all else, Rupert was deeply committed to his uncle's cause. He viewed the Parliamentarians as traitors and troublesome rebels to be crushed.
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