The disposable forces of the parliament, not immediately required for the defence of Hull, were too inconsiderable to oppose the march into the south. Notwithstanding this, the affairs of the king were ruined by confining the efforts of a powerful army to investing this fortress; while the active enemy, though few in number, acquired by their boldness and intrepidity, an effective strength in the field. When Oliver Cromwell, then beginning to signalize himself as the companion in arms of the young and gallant Sir Thomas Fairfax, had by a signal victory at Gainsborough, routed the royal troops; the Marquis of Newcastle, beholding his brother Cavendish dead, amid the noblest and bravest of his soldiers, seemed as if awakened by the calls of vengeance to the necessity of more extensive exertions. He therefore suddenly decided on harassing his opponents, while weak and inefficient, by dispatching a competent force into the heart of Lincolnshire. Cromwell, though a conqueror, was obliged to make a precipitate retreat; and as Lincoln was not defensible, he hastened on the day succeeding his victory to Boston; intending there, with the young Sir Thomas Fairfax, who was proceeding with additional horse from Hull, to concentrate their forces with those of the Earl of Manchester. {11b} The division of the royal army, destined for these parts, was entrusted to the command of Sir John Henderson, an old and valiant soldier, and to Sir William Widdrington, who was appointed governor of Lincoln. As these leaders were anxious to requite themselves for the defeat which had so recently crowned the conquerors with the applause of heroism, they determined to draw the enemy to an engagement before their reinforcements should arrive: ere this however could be effected, Manchester, upon advice of their intention, after possessing himself of the strong fortress of Lynn, had advanced with the disposable part of the army of the associated counties. Such appeared to be the mutual disposition of affairs in the north, at the beginning of October, 1643, in the first year of the civil war.