Game 2. The Royalist attack on West Midlands
The Roylist army under the command of Sir Ellerby had the strategic initiative and decided to move on the West Midlands. A good strategic decision as the Royalist forces could expect support from Oxford and forces in East Midlands and left the Parliamentarian defenders isolated. As it happened no extra Royalist forces arrived to support. The wylie Royalist general had some control over the battlefield but this still left the Parliamentarians confident of their defencive position anchored around two large enclosures and rough ground on their right. This battle been fought in the winter of 1642 ment that the day would be short and the Royalist attackers would need to be rapid in their aggression.

The armies deployed in regulation order with the infantry flanked on both sides by cavalry. The Royalists on the right of this image.
The confident Parliamentarians had set their head quarters very close to the front and were still in council of war as the Royalist took to the field.
Who is this leading the Royalist left wing of cavalry? John Hurry a brave commander but lax in political principles. He defected to the Royalist after the last battle and will play a vital role in today's hot work.
The Royalists opened the battle with a bold advance on their left with their cavalry and forced the Parliamentarian blue regiment into hedgehog. In the center there was a general advance by the infantry to get into musket range.
On the Parliamentarians right their infantry occupied the enclosure. The Royalist cavalry opposite them did not fancy the prospect of attacking this defencive position and held their ground outside of musket range. Fire from this position did disrupt the Royalist infantry advance in the center.
In the woods on the Parliamentarians right a skirmish between the dragoons was inconclusive with neither side gaining the upper hand.

The decisive action of the battle had arrived. A Royalist cavalry charge lead by John Hurry circumvented the Parliamentarian hedgehog and charging over rough ground smashed into the Parliamentarian cavalry sending two of the three cavalry units on this flank fleeing the field.
Seeing Royalist cavalry so close to the Parliamentarians head quarters spooked the commander and lead to the believe that this flank be lost. The lead Royalist horse was shaken after it's efforts.
Seeing the defeat on their right, the Parliamentarian general sent in the left wing cavalry lead by their cuirassiers to try even up the score. This was not the success hoped for! A poor out come in the combat was compounded by a powder explosion in the ranks of the cuirassier sending what was left of this unit fleeing the field broken.
The battle fizzled out with Royalist infantry backing off to prevent more casualties and an abysmal round of shooting by the Parliamentarians, not one hit.
Despite the Royalists success over the Parliamentarian cavalry it was not a decisive victory for the Royalist, their infantry had taken casualties from musketeers in the enclosures.
The Parliamentarian command believing the loss on their right worse than it was conceded the field to the Royalist and lost control of the West Midlands.
Another victory for the Royalists!
A letter from the Committee for the Lords and Commons of Parliament was found amongst the lost baggage.
An ordinance for the better securing of peace of the midlands published by the Lords and Commons of Parliament
It is perceived that the Midlands is in great danger speedily to be invaded by forces raised against the Authority of Parliament. To abait this mischief Sir Ash Cooper has been appointed General of Parliament's army to fortify the county and with said force to fight, kill and slay, any that shall invade without the authority of Parliament. The army campaigning far from the base of London, there is little chance of reinforcement. You are advised to prosecute your command with caution and preserve your offencive power. This not a fight you must win, just hold the field and blunt this rail against this Ordinance of Parliament. If you can hold your ground the offenders will be unable to establish their illegitimate hold on the county.
Committee for the Lords and Commons of Parliment
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