Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research 99/397

THE BATTLE OF CHALGROVE , 1643

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Thus having perform’d, at least as much as they had proposed to do, and being laden with Prisoners, and Booty, and the Sun now rising the Prince thought it time to retire to Oxford, and gave orders to march accordingly with all convenient speed, till they should come to a Bridge which was yet two miles from them, where he had appointed of a Guard to attend, to favour their Retreat. But the Alarm had been brought to the Earl of Essex from all the Quarters, who quickly gathered those Troops together, which were nearest; and directed those to follow the Prince, and to entertain him in Skirmishes, till Himself should come up with the Foot, and some other Troops; which he made all possible hast to do. So that when the Prince had almost passed a fair Plain, or Field, called Chalgrave Field, from whence he was to enter a Lane, which continued to the Bridge; the Enemies Horse were discover’d marching after them with speed; and as they might easily overtake them in the Lane, so they must as easily have put them into great disorder. Therefore the Prince resolv’d to expect, and stand them upon the open Field, though his Horse were all tired, and the Sun was grown very hot, it being about eight of the Clock in the Morning in June. He then directed, ‘that the Guard of the Prisoners should make what hast they could to the Bridge, but that all the rest should return; for some were enter’d the Lane: and so he placed himself and his Troops, as he thought fit, in that Field to receive the Enemy; which made more hast, and with less order than they should have done’; and being more in Number than the Prince, and consisting of many of the Principal Officers, who having been present with the Earl of Essex, when the Alarm came, stayed not for their own Troops, but joyn’d with those who were ready in the pursuit, as They Thought of a Flying Enemy, or such as would easily be arrested in their hasty retreat; and, having now overtaken them, meant to take revenge themselves for the damage they had receiv’d that Night, and Morning, before the General could come up to have a share in the Victory, though his Troops were in View. But the Prince entertain’d them so roughly, that though they charged very bravely and obstinately, being many of their best Officers, of which the chiefest falling, the rest shew’d less Vigour, in a short time they broke, and fled, and were pursued till they came near the Earl of Essex’s Body, which being at near a miles distance, and making a stand to receive their Flying Troops, and to be inform’d of their disaster, the Prince with his Troops hasten’d his retreat and passed the Lane, and came safe to the Bridge before any of the Earls Forces came up; who found it then to no purpose to go farther, there being a good Guard of Foot, which had likewise lined both sides of the Hedges a good way in the Lane. Thus the Prince, about Noon, or shortly after, enter’d Oxford, with near two hundred Prisoners, seven Cornets of Horse, and four Ensigns of Foot; with most of the Men he carried from thence; few only having been killed in the Action, whereof four were of Name. The version above describes the Royalist army marching out of Oxford at dusk, about 2100 hours, on Saturday 17th June 1643 and, with the earlier skirmishes, has the Royalists marching upwards of 65 miles including the advance towards