The Battle of Edgehill (1642)

After months of rising tension, the English Civil War finally exploded into life on the slopes of Edgehill on the 23rd of October 1642. It was to be a confused and bitter business, marked by the foolishness of Prince Rupert and the Royalist cavalry, who left the field at a crucial stage of the battle. As darkness fell, nearly 3000 men lay dead and the die was cast: the English Civil War would be no short and decisive affair.