ECW Campaign: April 1644

The English Civil War: April 1644

Sherborne & Gloucester both conveyed their greetings to King Charles, assuring him of their loyalty but requesting his urgent return from the distant North to remove the traitors and Puritans from the heart of his realm...

Maurice took Swansea, then moved back to Worcester.  Brereton took Chester.

Baillie took Corbridge and Newcastle decided to attack.  Leven rushed to reinforce Baillie, but in the subsequent Battle of Corbridge the Covenanters were defeated, which led to the dissolution of the Covenanter army!  King Charles remained in York, training his troops, since he lacked the supplies to make any movement.

Essex moved forward to Newbury, where he was joined by Waller.  Bedford continued his march back along the South Coast to Christchurch.  Prince Rupert remained around Wells training his army. Browne continued the Siege of Oxford.

The North:
 
The Royalists:
Newcastle at Corbridge with 9000 Foot & 3750 Horse
2000 Foot at Carlisle
King Charles at York with 8000 Foot & 5250 Horse
The Parliamentarians:
Fairfax at Leeds with 1000 Foot & 1500 Horse
1000 Foot at Preston
1000 Foot at Hull

The Midlands:

The Royalists:
Vasey at Shrewsbury with 1000 Foot & 750 Horse
1000 Foot at Gloucester
Maurice at Worcester with 4000 Foot & 750 Horse
The Parliamentarians:
Brereton at Chester with 2000 Foot & 3750 Horse
Manchester at Lincoln with 9000 Foot & 3000 Horse

The South:

Add caption

The Royalists:
Prince Rupert at 5000 Foot & 3000 Horse
1000 Foot at Oxford
The Parliamentarians:
Massey at Bristol with 2000 Foot
Bedford at Christchurch with 5000 Foot & 1500 Horse
Essex at Newbury with 9000 Foot & 2250 Horse
Browne besieging Oxford with 3000 Foot & 2250 Horse

Game Notes:
The victory of Newcastle may be the most important of the war.  With the Covenanters' 20,000 strong army defeated and dispersed, the North is absolutely secure for the Royalist cause.  King Charles is thus free to advance directly towards London and if Manchester cannot prevent him, then it is difficult to see how the Parliamentary cause can hold.  Essex could withdraw to protect it, but that would mean abandoning the North-West, West and South-West to the King...