BattlefieldsBattle of Grantham 1643 — Cromwell First Cavalry Charge
English Civil War

Battle of Grantham 1643 — Cromwell First Cavalry Charge

1643
England
Era
English Civil War
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Royalist Lincolnshire cavalry
Forces
Royalist Lincolnshire cavalry approximately 21 troops under Cavendish
VS
Victor
Parliamentary Eastern Association
Forces
Parliamentary Eastern Association cavalry approximately 12 troops under Cromwell
Outcome
Parliamentary Eastern Association victory. Cromwell routed Royalist cavalry and pursued methodically without losing formation. First demonstration of his cavalry discipline.
The Battle

History & Significance

On 13 May 1643 Oliver Cromwell led Eastern Association cavalry in his first independent field action at Grantham. Facing a larger Royalist force under Colonel Charles Cavendish, Cromwell charged at the trot rather than the gallop, keeping his horse in hand. The disciplined charge routed the Royalists and Cromwell first articulated his doctrine of controlled pursuit rather than headlong chase.

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