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| Aldbourne Chase 1643 | ||
| Sep 12 | After relieving the siege of Gloucester, Essex headed back towards London, moving North initially to deceive the Royalists into thinking he wanted to go via Stow or even Worcester. | |
| Sep 15 | Essex was at Tewkesbury. Sending a small decoy force northwards, he marched his main army through the Cotswolds (and the pouring rain). | |
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Essex's route from Gloucester(red) and the Royalist pursuit (blue). | |
| Sep 16 | Essex arrives at Cirencester capturing a large amount of
supplies from the surprised Royalist garrison.
Rupert heard of Essex's advances towards London, and sent messages to the King who was based near Evesham for permission to pursue. Initially reluctant, Charles set off southwards with Rupert riding ahead.
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The Royalist forces were waiting for Essex to advance on Worcester and were not initially aware of Essex move to the South. |
| Sep 17 | The Royalist army arrives at Burford. Essex reaches
Swindon but is forced to slow down to allow his troops to forage for
food.
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| Sep 18 | Essex set off down the road to Newbury with his army of
4,000 horse and 10,000 foot strung out in a line.
Rupert, riding with Byron's brigade of horse came upon them at Aldbourne Chase. A force of 5,000 horse attacked the Parliamentarian troops at their rear (Stapleton). The Parliamentarian troops fought well and repulsed Rupert's attack, but they suffered heavy losses.
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| The important point of this skirmish
was that it delayed Essex enough for the main Royalist army to block off
his advance into Newbury.
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| Royalist :Rupert, Byron, Gerrard,
Lisle. Parliament : Essex |
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