BattlefieldsCheriton 1644 Cavalry Flank Action
English Civil War

Cheriton 1644 Cavalry Flank Action

1644
England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist
Forces
Royalist cavalry under Sir Henry Bard advancing unsupported into the lane
VS
Victor
Parliament
Forces
Parliamentary cavalry right wing
Outcome
Parliamentary decisive victory; Bard cavalry repulsed and flanked; the Royalist army lost 2,000 killed and fled the field; the battle ended Royalist offensive capability in southern England.
The Battle

History & Significance

At Cheriton on 29 March 1644 the decisive moment came when Sir Henry Bard advanced his Royalist cavalry unsupported to attack the Parliamentary right flank in a wooded lane, contrary to orders. The Parliamentary cavalry repulsed Bard and then turned the Royalist left while infantry pushed forward in the centre, converting an unplanned skirmish into a general Parliamentary assault that broke the Royalist army.

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