The Battle of Langport

Date: 10th July 1645 Location: Langport, Somerset Parliamentarian Commander: Sir Thomas Fairfax, Commander-in-Chief Royalist Commander: Lord George Goring, General of Horse Victor: Parliament

Fairfax marched south through Salisbury and Dorchester, which he reached on 3 July.

Goring, hearing of Fairfax's advance, lifted his siege and withdrew north to Ilchester and Langport. These towns both had bridges across the river Yeo within them, and these would allow Goring to withdraw further to the stronghold of Bridgwater.

Goring, however, had no intention of holding these important points, he sent his artillery and baggage on to Bridgwater and withdrew from Ilchester to concentrate his forces at Langport.

Fairfax crossed the Yeo unopposed at Ilchester, and then swung north to Langport.

Fairfax began by silencing Goring's remaining two artillery pieces with his own batteries.

Musketeers then thinned the royalist troops defending the ford with volleys of fire. Cavalry lead by Major Christopher Bethal then charged quickly through the ford before the royalists had properly recovered their positions.

Charging uphill on the other side they were held by the royalists, but more horse and infantry were now rushing to support them, and Goring's forces began to crumble.

Demoralised, the royalists fled the field. As Goring retreated west, his forces deserted in droves, and his army virtually ceased to exist.