Turnham Green

Date: 12th- November 1642 Location: Turnham Green, West of London Parliamentarian Commander: Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex Royalist Commander: Charles I, King of England Victor: Parliament (No battle fought)

Charles marched for London, first capturing Banbury and then entering Oxford, where he was greeted by cheering crowds (Oct 29).

From Oxford, Charles moved East to Colnbrook, which he reached on the 11th November.

Charles had advanced cautiously, not knowing where Essex was, but this had allowed Essex to pass his army on the way, and reach London before him. Essex was able to muster a large defensive force at Turnham Green.

Essex also left two regiments at Brentford, not far to the West, which Charles took on the 12th November. This action, and the sacking that followed it, roused the people of London. By the time that Charles was ready to march on, a force of 24,000 men awaited him at Turnham Green.

Charles had no chance against a force twice his size, so he turned South to Kingston. However, Sir James Ramsey with a force of 3,000 men were resting in Kingston before moving to cover the Southern approach to London. Unable to rest his army, Charles withdrew to Reading.

Finally, realising that his chance to take the capital had passed, Charles returned to Oxford, where he established his headquarters for the rest of the war.