Rupert and Manchester miss their chance at Newark 20/21 Feb

Vermuyden's Rgt. of Roundhead Horse patrolled south of Newark came across a small Royalist cavalry force advancing north at Radcliffe on Trent on the 20 feb. After brief skirmishing the Royalist cavalry grew in considerable number with several regiments marching into view. Parliament's cavalry pulled back and throughout the 21 feb were pushed further north until they took safety and retreated into Leadenham on the 21. They were not pursued past Newark but the size of force implied it was Rupert in person who had marched into Newark. Rupert chose not to pursue the Parliamntary cavalry passed Newark. Instead he marched off north. Had he pushed East he would have located Manchester's main army just a few miles from Newark. Had Manchester been more confident and aggressive he could have pinned Rupert's men at Newark..... missed chances on both sides!!