Was the Battle of Naseby in 1645 a turning point in the English Civil War?

Learning objective – to be able to identify the significance of the Battle of Naseby in the English Civil War. I can describe the key changes and continuities shown in the Battle of Naseby. Grade 3 I can explain the key changes and continuities shown in the Battle of Naseby. Grade 6 I can explain and assess changes and continuities shown in the Battle of Naseby. Grade 9

Why did the Battle of Naseby take place in 1645? By 1644 the English Civil War was at a stalemate. Parliament created the New Model Army in 1645 determined to break this stalemate. The Royalists wanted to prevent the New Model Army joining up with their Scots allies, so Charles I split his army sending them north and west. After the Royalists took Leicester, the Parliamentarians sent a force to attack and they met the Royalist forces at Naseby, which was near Leicester.

How did the Royalist and Parliamentarian forces compare? Royalist forces 5,000 cavalry - skilled and had superior battle experience led by Prince Rupert. 4,000 infantry – superior battle experience. Parliamentarian forces 6,500 cavalry – brilliantly led by Oliver Cromwell. 6,500 infantry – majority were pressed men with a high desertion rate.

What battlefield positions did both sides choose? The battlefield was an open field with two hills. The Parliamentarians chose a slightly higher hill with their flanks protected by hedges and boggy ground. They also took advantage of a low ridge, which the majority of the Parliamentarian forces hid behind away from the Royalists. Between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians there was open ground called Broad Moor, ideal for cavalry charges.

Why did Royalists gain an early advantage? The Royalists could not see all of Parliament’s forces and therefore, they were encouraged to attack a force much larger than they thought. They advanced quickly which the Parliamentarians could not stop with artillery fire. On the left, Prince Rupert led a cavalry charge which swept Parliament’s cavalry from the field. At the same time Royalist infantry charged at the middle pushing back the Parliamentarian infantry with pikes and musket fire.

Why did Royalists lose their early advantage? Prince Rupert’s cavalry lost their advantage because they were ill disciplined. Instead of returning to the battlefield once they had scattered the Parliamentarian cavalry, they plundered the baggage trains. The Royalist infantry are unable to break the Parliamentarian infantry in the middle as their line holds but is pushed back.

How does Cromwell’s cavalry change the balance of the Battle of Naseby? Cromwell’s cavalry – the Ironsides - are Parliament’s best and attack the Royalists from the right and defeat them. The Ironsides keep their discipline, unlike Rupert’s cavalry. While one line of cavalry pursues the Royalist cavalry off the battlefield after a brief return from Prince Rupert, the other two lines turn to attack the Royalist infantry from the flank and rear. At the same time, Fairfax counterattacks from the centre. The Royalist infantry breaks and are defeated.

Why did Naseby mark the end of the Royalists as a military force? Cromwell pounces on his advantage and ruthlessly pursues the escaping cavalry back to Leicester. Many are killed by Cromwell’s forces. The Royalist infantry are destroyed in the battle and the cavalry after it. Also many of Charles I’s papers are captured blackening his name.

Why did the Parliamentarians win? Royalist misjudgement – The Royalists misjudged the New Model Army and thought they were weak. Cromwell’s cavalry – Cromwell’s cavalry was better disciplined and that was decisive. Infantry second line held out – The Royalists was unable to defeat the Parliamentarian infantry who held out long enough for the cavalry to join them. Position on the battlefield – Parliament took the superior position on the battlefield. Theirs was a higher hill with a ridge and flanks were protected. Fairfax – An inspirational general who fought alongside his men and managed to lead a counterattack just as the Royalist infantry were under attack from the cavalry.

Why was Cromwell crucial to Parliament’s victory at Naseby? Cromwell was at the centre of the creation of the New Model Army, demanding that it should be led by men of experience and merit not social standing. He trained the best cavalry. He advised Fairfax on which position to take on the battlefield to encourage the Royalists to attack. His leadership and discipline were crucial in the decisive charge at Naseby.

Organise the following statements under the following headings – Royalist decisions, Parliamentary decisions and Leaders. The Royalists thought the New Model Army was weak but was unable to break its infantry line. Cromwell’s Ironsides sweep the Royalist left flank from the field then turn in on the Royalist infantry. In the final attack, Parliament divides its cavalry forces to support both infantry and cavalry troops. The Royalists took an early advantage – sweeping the Royalist left flank from the field and pushing back the infantry. The Parliamentarians chose an advantageous battlefield position placing their troops on a higher hill with a ridge. Parliament maximises its victory at Naseby by routing the Royalist cavalry troops after the battle. The Royalists makes the initial attack Parliament despite being outnumbered. Fairfax is an inspirational infantry leader who holds the centre from collapsing. Cromwell is able to instil greater discipline into his cavalry regiment. Charles I split his Royalist army with the main force sent to the Midlands. The Royalist army had superior battle experience compared with the Parliamentarian army. The Royalist cavalry showed ill discipline and raided the Parliamentarian baggage train.

Extension question Which was the most significant reason to explain why the Royalists lost the Battle of Naseby – Royalist cavalry ill-discipline. Parliamentarian discipline. Leadership of Cromwell and Fairfax. Positions of each force on the battlefield.

Plenary – My Brain Subheading – My Brain Draw an outline of your brain. Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson. This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists – anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others can understand it.