At the beginning of the
Civil War, Parliament relied on soldiers
recruited by large landowners who supported their cause. In February
1645, Parliament decided to form a new army of professional soldiers
and amalgamated the three armies of William
Waller, Earl
of Essex and
Earl
of Manchester.
This army of 22,000 men became known as the New Model Army. Its commander-in-chief
was General Thomas Fairfax, while Oliver
Cromwell was put in charge of its cavalry.
Members of the New Model
Army received proper military training and by the time they went into
battle they were very well-disciplined. In the past, people became
officers because they came from powerful and wealthy families. In
the New Model Army men were promoted when they showed themselves to
be good soldiers. For the first time it became possible for working-class
men to become army officers. Oliver Cromwell
thought it was very important that soldiers in the New Model Army
believed strongly in what they were fighting for. Where possible
he recruited men who, like him, held strong Puritan
views and the New Model
Army went into battle singing psalms, convinced that God was on their
side.
The New Model Army took
part in its first major battle just outside the village of Naseby
in Northamptonshire on 14 June 1645. The battle began when Prince
Rupert led a charge against the left wing of the parliamentary
cavalry which scattered and Rupert's men then gave chase.
While this was going on
Cromwell launched an attack on the left wing of the royalist cavalry.
This was also successful and the royalists that survived the initial
charge fled from the battlefield. While some of Cromwell's cavalry
gave chase, the majority were ordered to attack the now unprotected
flanks of the infantry. Charles
I was waiting
with 1,200 men in reserve. Instead of ordering them forward to help
his infantry he decided to retreat. Without support from the cavalry,
the royalist infantry realised their task was impossible and surrendered.
By the time Prince Rupert's
cavalry returned to the battlefield the fighting had ended. Rupert's
cavalry horses were exhausted after their long chase and were not
in a fit state to take on Cromwell's cavalry. Rupert had no option
but to ride off in search of Charles
I.
The battle was a disaster
for the king. About 1,000 of his men had been killed, while another
4,500 of his most experienced men had been taken prisoner. The Parliamentary
forces were also able to capture the Royalist baggage train that contained
his complete stock of guns and ammunition.
The Battle
of Naseby was the turning point in the war. After Naseby, Charles
was never able to raise
another army strong enough to defeat the parliamentary army in a major
battle.
(1)
Joshua Sprigge wrote about the New
Model Army in Anglia Redivia
(1647)
The officers of this army, as you may read, are such, as
knew little of war, than our own unhappy wars had taught them, except
some few, so as men could not contribute much to this work: indeed
I may say this, they were better Christians than soldiers, and wiser
in faith than in fighting, and could believe a victory sooner than
contrive it; and yet I think they were as wise in the way of soldiery
as the little time and experience they had could make them.
These officers, many of
them with their soldiery, were much in prayer and reading scripture,
an exercise that soldiers till of late have used bur little, and thus
then went on and prospered: men conquer better as they are saints,
than soldiers; and in the countries where they came, they left something
of God as well as of Caesar behind them, something of piety as well
as pay.
They were much in justice
upon offenders, that they might be still in some degree of reformation
in their military state. Armies are too great bodies to be found in
all parts at once.
The army was (what by
example and justice) kept in good order, both respectively to itself,
and the country: nor was it their pay that pacified them; for had
they not had more civility than money, things had not been so fairly
managed.
They were many of them
differing in opinion, yet not in action nor business; they all agreed
to preserve the kingdom; they prospered more in their unity, than
uniformity; and whatever their opinions were, yet they plundered none
with them, they betrayed none with them, nor disobeyed the state with
them, and they were more visibly pious and peaceable in their opinions,
than many we call more orthodox.
They were generally constant
and conscientious in duties, and by such soberness and strictness
conquered much upon the vanity and looseness of the enemy; many of
those fought by principle as well as pay, and that made the work go
better on, where it was not made so much matter of merchandise as
conscience: they were little mutinous or disputing commands; by which
peace the war was better ended.
There was much amity and
unity amongst the officers, while they were in action, and in the
field, and no visible emulations and passions to break their ranks,
which made the public fare better. That boat can go but slowly where
the oars row several ways; the best expeditions is by things that
go one way.
The army was fair in their
marches to friends, and merciful in battle and success to enemies,
by which they got love from enemies, though more from friends.
This army went on better
by two more wheels of treasurers and a committee; the treasurers were
men of public spirits to the state and the army, and were usually
ready to present some pay upon every success, which was like wine
after work, and cheered up the common spirits to more activity.
The committee, which the
House of Commons formed, were men wise, provident, active and faithful
in providing ammunition, arms, recruits of men, clothes: and that
family must needs thrive that hath good stewards.
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