The Battle of Edgehill took place on 23rd October 1642 and was the first battle of the English Civil War. In 1642, after considerable constitutional disagreements between the government and King Charles I, the king finally raised his standard and led his troops against the Parliamentarian army.

Why was the Battle of Edgehill so important?

Battle of Edgehill, (Oct. 23, 1642), first battle of the English Civil Wars, in which forces loyal to the English Parliament, commanded by Robert Devereux, 3rd earl of Essex, fatally delayed Charles I’s march on London.
Oct 16, 2022

Where did the Battle of Edgehill take place?

IThe battle of Edgehill, on Sunday 23rd October 1642, saw the army of the Earl of Essex, the parliamentarian Lord General, and the King’s army clash in the first major action of the Civil War in England. It was fought in the open fields between the villages of Radway and Kineton in Warwickshire.

Who was the Battle of Edgehill against?





The battle took place on a Sunday and was fought on a field in Warwickshire between the villages of Kineton and Radway. King Charles I and his nephew Prince Rupert led the Royalist army. Robert Devereux, the 3rd Earl of Essex commanded the Parliamentarian army. Both armies were roughly the same size.

What were the key events of the Battle of Edgehill?

Here are ten facts about the Battle of Edgehill.

  • It was the first major pitched battle of the English Civil War.
  • King Charles I and his Royalists had been marching on London.
  • The Parliamentarian army was commanded by the Earl of Essex.
  • Charles’ Royalist army was outnumbered at Edgehill.

Why is Edgehill called Edgehill?

It was named after the district in which it was sited, It was the first non-denominational teacher training college for women in England. By 1892, Edge Hill was one of only two colleges in England combining teacher training and degree course study.

How old is the Castle at Edgehill?



The octagonal tower was started in 1742 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Edgehill and was opened on 3rd September, 1750, the anniversary of Oliver Cromwell’s death. It was built by Sanderson Miller, or Millar, who lived in nearby Radway.

What county is Edgehill in?

Edge Hill, Warwickshire



Edge Hill
Shire county Warwickshire
Region West Midlands
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom

How many Cavaliers were killed in the Battle of Edgehill?

Around 1,500 had been killed in the battle. Charles could have now moved on towards London, his original target, but his army delayed by capturing Banbury and establishing a garrison at Oxford. This delay gave the Parliamentarians time to assemble outside the capital, Essex joining forces with the London Trained Bands.
Dec 8, 2021

Why were the Roundheads so called?

The followers of the king were known as Cavaliers, meaning gallant gentlemen. His opponents were known as Roundheads. The name came from the men’s habit of cropping their hair close to their heads, rather than wearing their hair in the long, flowing style of the aris- tocrats who supported the king.

Did Cromwell win the Civil War?

It was not until the Second Civil War (1648-49) that Cromwell fought his first major battle in full command. At Preston, in August 1648, he inflicted a crushing defeat on the Scots, despite facing greatly superior numbers. This victory destroyed Royalist hopes and effectively ended the war.

Why was the Battle of Naseby so important?



Fought on 14 June 1645, the Battle of Naseby was one of the most significant engagements of the First English Civil War between King Charles I and Parliament. The confrontation proved a decisive victory for the Parliamentarians and marked the beginning of the end for the Royalists in the war.
Jun 14, 2018

Why are Roundheads important?

The goal of the Roundheads was to give to Parliament the supreme control over executive administration of the country/kingdom.

What Colour did the Roundheads wear?

These were normally red for the Royalists, tawny orange for the Parliamentarians. An army might adopt a ‘field sign’ to distinguish its soldiers – maybe a bit of greenery stuck in the hat – and was usually given a ‘field word’ – a simple phrase to shout out as a kind of password.
Feb 20, 2014

Who won Roundheads or Cavaliers?

Some 200,000 lives were lost in the desperate conflict which eventually led to the victory of the Roundheads under Oliver Cromwell and the execution of the king in 1649.