Rupert of the Rhine; A Biographical Sketch of the Life of Prince Rupert, Prince Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Cumberland, Etc (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1890 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III. EDGEHILL AND BRENTFORD. The king's army consisted of two thousand cavalry, and of six thousand infantry, besides fifteen hundred dragoons. Apparently the Royal force was almost destitute of artillery. Rupert commanded the horse. Besides fighting men, a motley crew of non-combatants, including Secretaries of State, and even such useless encumbrances as heralds, brought up the whole number of Charles's army to near twelve thousand men. Rupert wished to advance as quickly as possible on London, taking Birmingham on the way; but Charles, for no obvious reason, dallied several days at Bridgenorth, and also at Wolverhampton. On the news reaching the capital that the king was advancing in force, a panic seized the Londoners. Aided by their wives and relations, the terrified citizens hastily fortified the western side of the town. Lincoln's Inn Fields was strongly defended; and in the open fields, where now stands Grosvenor Square, a large fort was thrown up. The trainbands mustered, and barricades blocked the streets to the west. Parliament called on Essex to prepare to meet the enemy. Essex was at this time at Worcester, thence he marched on the 19th of October to Stratford-on-Avon, and on the night of the 22nd he reached Kineton. The king's army advanced by slow marches through Packington, Killingworth, and Southam, to Edgeworth, where Charles slept the night before the battle. Rupert, meanwhile, had made an ineffectual dash on Coventry. On the same day on which the Parliamentary General reached Kineton, the prince arrived at Wormleighton, in the immediate neighbourhood of Essex, without being aware of it. Soon, however, Rupert was informed of the fact by his quartermaster, who had, while seeking quarters for his men, fallen in with some of Essex's ...