The English Civil War in The North

The English Civil War in The North

Marston Moor and the War in the North 1643-45

Military History and Battlefield Tours

The English Civil War in The North

Marston Moor and the War in the North 1643-45

Military History and Battlefield Tours

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Tour Introduction

During this tour of the north of England we travel through many of its beautiful counties: Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire and enjoy wonderful scenery during the (hopefully) lovely summertime. We will visit some iconic battlefields of the English Civil War such as Marston Moor and Rowton Heath, wander the narrow cobbled streets of historic York and Chester, clamber over or walk around romantic ruined castles and visit the recently opened National Civil War Centre. The tour is led by Col Nick Lipscombe who will shortly be releasing his much anticipated English Civil War Atlas, the research for which forms the basis for many of our excursions and talks during this tour.

Background

By the end of 1643 there had been no decisive achievement by either side, but an alliance towards the end of that year by the Parliamentarians with the battle-hardened army of the Scottish Covenanters considerably altered the dynamics in the north of the country. Within months the Royalist army had been decisively beaten at Marston Moor and their stronghold of York would fall two weeks later. Events then swung northwest where they fared little better for the Royalists, having been driven off at Rowton Heath. To all intents and purposes, the north was lost to the King.

Churchill, in his History of the English Speaking Peoples, wrote of the English Civil War that ‘underlying the apparently clear cut constitutional issue was a religious and class conflict’. Suggesting that one of the main drivers was based on class and material considerations is both misleading and unhelpful; yet this vision of the wars as David rising up against Goliath pervades. It was simply not the case. In the English Civil War brother fought against brother, and father met son. Nothing has imprinted itself so deeply on the nation’s memory as the national civil struggle of the mid seventeenth-century.

Highlights

  • With accomplished historian, author and lecturer Col Nick Lipscombe
  • The Battles of Marston Moor & Rowton Heath
  • The sieges of York & Chester 

Itinerary

Day 1 – Sieges of Newark

Assemble at our Newark hotel at noon for a sandwich lunch and pre-tour briefing. We discuss the three sieges of the town by Parliamentary forces, its final surrender not being until after that of Charles I himself. We will visit the National Civil War Centre with its fascinating exhibits from the sieges and the war in general. Check in for one night.

Day 2 – Winceby, Gainsborough and York

This morning we look at events of 1643 with Royalist forces skilfully outmanoeuvred and soundly defeated by Parliamentarians at both Winceby and Gainsborough. Thence to Pontefract Castle, described by Cromwell as "one of the strongest inland garrisons in the kingdom." Our day ends in the beautiful city of York to recount the great Parliamentary siege of 1644 which, although relieved by Prince Rupert after 10 weeks, fell days after Marston Moor. Check in to our hotel for one night

Day 3 – Marston Moor, Knaresborough and Skipton

We spend the morning exploring the field of the decisive battle of Marston Moor and see where the Roundheads released their surprise attack, the confused fighting area which ended in the complete rout of the Cavaliers and the capitulation of Royalist strength in the north. This afternoon we visit Knaresborough Castle, taken by Royalists in 1644, and then Skipton Castle which surrendered in late 1645. Check in to our hotel for one night.

Day 4 – Preston and Rowton Heath

At Preston we explore the battlefield where in 1648, an infiltrated Scottish-Royalist force was defeated by the New Model Army over two days. This afternoon we visit Rowton Heath where, in 1645 Charles I was thwarted in his attempt to save the key city of Chester. Check in to our Chester hotel for two nights.

Day 5 – Chester, Nantwich and Beeston

We explore the lovely city of Chester with its extant city walls which bore the brunt of numerous Parliamentarian attempts to capture this key Royalist stronghold. At Nantwich we see how a Royalist force under Lord Byron failed to capture the town and was subsequently defeated by Fairfax’s army. Finally we climb high above the Cheshire Plain to visit the romantic and impressively sited Beeston Castle which served as a Royalist garrison for most of the war.

Day 6 – Hopton Heath

Explore the field of the inconclusive battle of Hopton Heath fought in 1643, often remembered for the appearance of ‘Roaring Meg’, the largest mortar of the Civil War. Return to Newark mid-afternoon and disperse.

Recommended Reading List

Photo Gallery

  • Nick explains siege warfare at Bolingbroke Castle
  • Walking round the walls of Chester Castle
  • The Battle of Marston Moor seen from the Royalist side
  • Deep beneath Knaresborough Castle
  • Knaresborough Castle
  • Group photo at Skipton Castle
  • Great Walls of York
  • Bolingbroke
  • Beeston Castle
  • Nick explains the Battle of Winceby

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Tour Review

Take a look at some of the images taken on our most recent tour

Photo Gallery

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