Lostwithiel

Date: 31st August - 2nd September 1644 Location: Lostwithiel, Cornwall Parliamentarian Commander: Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex Royalist Commander: Charles I, King of England Victor: Royalists

Sir William Waller was supposed to be occupying Charles I's army, but was outmanoeuvered by Charles. Charles then pursued Essex Westward, reaching Exeter on 26th July.

Essex knew about this, but continued on regardless - reaching Bodmin whilst driving Sir Richard Grenville out of the way. Grenville had a small royalist army, but would not consider engaging Essex until Charles arrived with reinforcements.

Realising that Charles was getting closer, Essex moved to Lostwithiel and Fowey, where he could keep in contact with the parliamentarian navy. Essex hoped to be reinforced or shipped off by the navy if Charles got too close.

Charles then contacted Essex in an attempt to arrange a peace treaty. Essex replied that he could not speak for Parliament alone, so a treaty was out of the question.

Essex was outnumbered, and sent word that Waller should conduct a diversionary action. However, he did not realise that Waller's force was too weak to be effective.

Charles first cut Essex off from the landward exits by taking Respryn Bridge, to the North (Aug 12).

He then took Bodinnick and Polruan Castle. These were on the Eastern side of Fowey estuary - across from Essex. With artillery stationed there, Charles prevented parliamentary ships from supporting Essex.

Finally, St. Blazey, to the West, was taken (Aug 26), completely surrounding Essex.

The first contact between the two armies occurred on August 31st, when Sir William Balfour attempted to break out with Essex' cavalry. He was successful, reaching Plymouth with light losses.

Royalist troops attacked and took Lostwithiel, driving Essex' infantry back to Castle Dor - an old earth-works.

Charles then assaulted this position. After some hard fighting, some of Essex' regiments broke. Charles then used this gap to cut off the Fowey road, completely encircling Essex.

Essex and Lord Robartes, realising that everything was lost, slipped away and sailed to Plymouth in a small boat. Phillip Skippon was left in charge, and surrendered on September 2nd.

The army, now some 6,000 strong, was disarmed and allowed to leave. They marched to Southampton and Portsmouth, but only a thousand arrived - the others dying of starvation and exposure on the way.

Charles now had control of the West re-established, taking Plymouth a few days later.