Rupert confronts the King - October 1645
Oct 8 Rupert gathers 80 of his loyal followers and leaves Oxford to confront the King and explain to him why it was necessary to accept defeat at Bristol.

He is joined by Maurice at Banbury.

 Rupert leaves Oxford despite being ordered to stay there.
On the journey they are attacked several times by Parliamentarian troops who have been sent to stop them. In one of these encounters a deserter from Rupert's cavalry fires a pistol at Rupert at point blank range. Rupert is lucky - the pistol misfires and the assailant is shot dead.
Digby, who has been scheming with the King against Rupert, asks to be made Lieutenant-General of the Royalist forces north of the Trent, and leaves Newark hastily with a group of 1500 horse to head north to attempt to join up with Montrose in Scotland.

The remains of this Royalist army managed to get as far as Dumfries before turning back. What was left of the men melted away into the Cumbrian hills....Digby and some of the officers found a boat at Ravenglass to take them to the Isle of Man. Digby then sailed onto Ireland where he planned to make it a base for a Royalist resurgence.


George Lord Digby
Oct 16 The King orders that Rupert must not enter Newark. Rupert ignores this and is met by the Governor Sir Richard Willis, Charles Gerrard and an escort of 100 men.
Rupert demands a court martial in an attempt to clear his name. This court very quickly finds in favour of Rupert and Charles makes a statement absolving him from any act of disloyalty or treason at Bristol. The court martial was overseen by Lord Astley, Lord Belasyse, Lord Cork, Lord Lindsey, and Gerrard, Richard Willis and John Ashburnham.
But Charles is angry and removes Richard Willis from being Governor of Newark.

Rupert, Willis, Maurice and Gerrard march to the King and protested. Charles orders them out and they retreat to the Governor's house and demand a fair trial for Willis. The King refuses but says he will allow passes to anyone who wishes to leave his service and go oversees.
Oct 26 Gerrard apologises to the King but Rupert defiantly leaves Newark with about 200 men and heads for Belvoir Castle. Rupert later heads back towards Oxford and stays at Woodstock.
Nov 5 The King who is unable to stay at Newark, arrives at Oxford. At this time pressure is put on Rupert to make amends with the King, and he eventually agrees, writing to the King to ask how he should apologise. The King sends back a letter for Rupert to sign, but Rupert sends back a blank sheet of paper with only his signature at the bottom asking the King to write anything on it he likes. The King is moved to tears by this and eventually....
Dec 9 ....Rupert arrives in Oxford to be embraced by a forgiving and repentant Charles. Rupert is not given back any of his commands however, as there is nothing left to command!