BattlefieldsBattle of Naseby — Prelude at Naseby Village
English Civil War

Battle of Naseby — Prelude at Naseby Village

1645
Northamptonshire, England
Also known as: Skirmish before Naseby · Royalist Advance to Naseby 1645
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northamptonshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Forces
Not recorded in historical accounts
Forces
c.14,000-15,000 New Model Army (Fairfax and Cromwell)
VS
Victor
Indecisive
Forces
c.9,000-11,000 Royalists (Rupert)
Outcome
Both sides manoeuvred for position; battle set for dawn 14 June
The Battle

History & Significance

In the hours before the great battle of Naseby, both armies manoeuvred for position through the night of 13-14 June 1645. The Royalists initially occupied Dust Hill to the north; Fairfax's army moved to occupy Broad Moor. Prince Rupert pushed his cavalry forward in a dawn reconnaissance. The final dispositions — Rupert's cavalry on the Royalist right, Langdale's on the left, Cromwell opposite Langdale — were determined by these preliminary movements. The terrain around Naseby directly shaped the battle's outcome.

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