BattlefieldsBattle of Ledbury
English Civil War

Battle of Ledbury

1645
Herefordshire, England
Also known as: Ledbury Skirmish 1645 · Prince Rupert at Ledbury
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Herefordshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Parliamentarians (Massey)
Forces
Parliamentarians c. 800–1,200; cavalry raid surprise.
VS
Victor
Royalists (Prince Rupert)
Forces
Royalists c. 1,500–2,000
Outcome
Royalist cavalry victory; Parliamentary horse driven through Ledbury
The Battle

History & Significance

Prince Rupert launched a cavalry raid through Herefordshire and surprised a Parliamentary force under Colonel Edward Massey in the streets of Ledbury. The fighting took place at close quarters through the narrow streets and churchyard. Rupert's force drove the Parliamentary cavalry through the town and out the other side. The skirmish is typical of the guerrilla warfare that characterised the Herefordshire and Worcestershire campaigns after Naseby, as Royalist forces tried to maintain control of the Marches.

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