Reading sees King in action

7/8 April 1644 The Reading campaign http://www.flickr.com/photos/1644campaign/ Following the onset of dry weather, troops began to move. Essex prepared his troops for battle on prepared ground just outside Tywford, four miles to the north east of Reading. The King and Hopton got ready to move on Essex and give battle at Tywford On 7 April, Waller left his Farnham base and marched north west towards Reading. By the evening he had reached Phoenix Cross some 13 miles south of Reading. News of his arrival stirred the King into action and the Royalists resolved to march at first light on the 8 April. Essex too received news of Waller’s approach and decided to move away from Twyford at first light and attempt to meet up with Waller to the south of Reading. Being in the field and ready for action meant that at 7am Essex’s army were up and ready to move- heading south down the a 321 and then b3030. By 9am they had travelled 3.5 miles and were approaching Winhersh. The column of march stretched some 2 miles back up the road though. The King’s army was some what slow to leave Reading and its environs. Scouts left the town at first light and headed up the A4 to Twyford. They reached the outskirts by 8am to discover Essex was on the march down the south road. The army finally left Reading at 8.15am and by 9am had marched almost 2 miles and received the news about Essex’s manoeuvres. Both sides continued marching and by mid day Essex’s column had reached Three Mile Cross to the south of Reading but stretched 2 miles back towards Winhersh. The King’s army was just one mile east of Winhersh meaning that a gap of 2.5miles lay between Essex’s rear guard and the King’s rapidly closing forces. It is likely that the rear guard will be caught by the King within the next 3-4 hours if marching continues. However. No news of Waller has been heard of by either side.... By noon it was clear that both sides were strung out in column of march. The King’s army was marching faster than Essex’s men and will catch them sometime during the afternoon if nothing changed. Essex therefore decided to make a stand and hope that he could fight off the King. And maybe Waller would appear. At 1pm Hopton’s advance guard of 3 cavalry regiments charged Essex’s rearguard. After a thirty minute struggle Hopton prevailed. But Essex had more troops feeding back onto the field who managed to stem the Royalist tide. Both sides fed troops across the battlefield but the Royalist left and centre began to get the upperhand. Parliament’s men looked to be overwhelmed. Hopton’s horse pushed far into the Parliamentary rear ranks but was shot down the column of foot emerging on the battlefield. Just as the Roundhead’s looked doomed, Waller’s horsement turned up around 2.30 and the next hour saw more horse and then Waller’s foot arrive on the field. Waller’s cavalry was pushed round the Royalist right and swept around it, taking some artillery in the process. However in the centre the Royalists still had strong forces facing a thinning Roundhead line. Astley’s foot held off the Parliamentarians giving the 3 central Royalist regiments of the Kings foot Astleys other foot to hold in place. On the Royalist left near the village saw them edge closer to victory with the Balfour’s Roundhead horse giving way leaving Bulstrode’s foot to hold what remained of the Parliamentary right flank. By half four the Royalists seeing their right flank collapse decided total victory was beyond despite victory on their left - them so decided to retreat back to Reading. It was clear the Royalist’s had had the better of the fight but that sheer numbers had prevented them from carrying the field. Waller had saved the day; but only just in time. Losses seemed to be that the Royalists had about half their regiments flee from the field. Parliament also had about the same run away but of course with Waller’s men had significantly more troops,12000, engaged than the Royalist 7500. Whilst the Royalists retreated back to Reading, covered by their remaining cavalry, the Roundheads spent the day and the April 9 on the battlefield resting and recovering their dead and wounded.