The Battle of Worcester

Date: 3rd September 1651 Location: Worcester, Hereford & Worcester Parliamentarian Commander: Oliver Cromwell, General of Horse Royalist Commander: Charles II, King of England (in exile) Victor: Parliament

Cromwell sent John Lambert to harass the Scots on their march, whilst he took a parallel route south. A new parliamentarian force was gathered in the South by Charles Fleetwood, and the three forces combined at Warwick on 24 August.

Charles arrived in Worcester on 23 August, and decided to rest and resupply his army. Fortifications were erected to defend against attack.

Cromwell's force now outnumbered the royalists 2 to 1. Fleetwood and Lambert were sent to cross the Severn to the south, with the intention of working north towards the city. Cromwell drew the rest of his forces up to the East of the city, and began an artillery bombardment.

Charles sallied out against Cromwell's artillery battery, but was driven back without taking any guns.

The approach from the south was barred by the river Teme. A mixed parliamentarian force under Deane was to attack Powick Bridge, which was defended by Keith.

Meanwhile, Lambert would attempt a crossing on a temporary bridge of boats farther east. He was opposed by Pitscottie.

Despite many attacks, the parliamentarians could not push the royalists back from the bridges. However, Cromwell constructed a second bridge of boats across the Severn. Leading his infantry across, he attacked Pitscottie in the flank. Together with Lambert, Cromwell pushed the royalists back from their bridges.

Keith was now forced to withdraw by the threat from his flank, but the poor discipline of the Scots turned this into a rout that could not be stopped by the reserves behind them.

Charles, seeing that Cromwell had weakened his northern troops, attacked to the east. His assault drove the parliamentarians back, and Cromwell was forced to recross the river to support them. After three hours of fighting, Cromwell eventually drove the royalists back into the city.

By now the royalist cause was lost. Units attempted to flee north, but were captured by parliamentarians that now surrounded the city.

Despite this, Charles managed to escape, leaving his bodyguard to hold off pursuit. He spent six weeks wandering through England before finding a boat that would take him to France.