BattlefieldsBattle of Worcester — Prelude at Upton-upon-Severn
English Civil War

Battle of Worcester — Prelude at Upton-upon-Severn

1651
Worcestershire, England
Also known as: Action at Upton Bridge 1651 · Lambert Crosses the Severn
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Worcestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist Scots
Forces
c.28,000 New Model Army (Cromwell)
VS
Victor
Parliamentarians (Lambert)
Forces
c.16,000 Scots and Royalists (Charles II)
Outcome
Severn crossing forced; Cromwell able to cross below Worcester
The Battle

History & Significance

In the days before the battle of Worcester, Parliamentary General Lambert forced the crossing of the Severn at Upton-upon-Severn in a daring action. His cavalry waded the river while a small party held the broken bridge. The crossing was crucial — it allowed Cromwell to get forces south of Worcester and threaten Charles II's line of retreat. Without Upton, the battle of Worcester might have ended differently. The skirmish is an essential prologue to Cromwell's 'crowning mercy'.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Worcestershire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Worcestershire