The American Encyclopedia of History, Biography and Travel: Comprising Ancient and Modern History: the Biography of Eminent Men of Europe and America, and the Lives of Distinguished Travelers.Prescott, Thomas H.
History
The American Encyclopedia of History, Biography and Travel: Comprising Ancient and Modern History: the Biography of Eminent Men of Europe and America, and the Lives of Distinguished Travelers.
Prescott, Thomas H.
Biography; World history
The defeat was severely felt by the king. He gained a victory over
Waller at Copredy Bridge, and caused Essex’s army to capitulate in
Cornwall (September 1); but in consequence of a second fight at
Newbury (October 27), in which he suffered a defeat, he was left at
the end of the campaign with greatly diminished resources. A new
negotiation was commenced at Uxbridge; but the terms asked by the
Parliament were so exorbitant, as to show no sincere desire of ending
the war.
In truth, though the Presbyterian party were perhaps anxious for
peace, there was another party, now fast rising into importance, who
were actuated by no such wishes. These were the Independents, a body
of men who wished to see a republic established in the state, and all
formalties whatever removed from the national religion. Among the
leaders of the party was Oliver Cromwell, whose mind seems to have
already become inspired with lofty views of personal aggrandizement.
This extraordinary man had sufficient address to carry a famous act
called the _Self-Denying Ordinance_, which ostensibly aimed at
depriving all members of the legislature of commands in the army, but
had the effect only of displacing a few noblemen who were obnoxious to
his designs. He also carried an act for modeling the army anew, in
which process he took care that all who might be expected to oppose
his views should be excluded. It was this party more particularly that
prevented any accommodation taking place between the king and his
subjects.
CONCLUSION OF THE CIVIL WAR.
The English campaign of 1645 ended in the complete overthrow of the
king. Throughout the war, his enemies had been continually improving
in discipline, in conduct, and in that enthusiasm which animated them
so largely; while the Royalists had become, out of a mere principle of
opposition, so extremely licentious, as to be rather a terror to their
friends than to their enemies. The new-modeling of the Parliamentary
army, which took place early in 1645, had also added much to the
effectiveness of the troops, who were now nominally commanded by Sir
Thomas Fairfax, but in reality by Oliver Cromwell, who bore the rank
of lieutenant-general. The consequence was that, in a pitched battle
at Naseby (June 14), the king was so completely beaten, that he and
his party could no longer keep the field. He had no resource but to
retire into Oxford, a town zealously affected to his cause, and well
fortified.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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