Why did the Battle of Naseby happen?

Answer 1

The battle of Naseby was important for 3 reasons.

Firstly, it was the first battle for Parliament's New Model Army, a fulltime, professional, regularly (at least in theory) paid, uniformed, and drilled army (Britain's first such army).Neither side was sure how it would perform in action.

Secondly, the battle finally destroyed Prince Rupert's reputation as a field commander. He was now regarded as an unreliable,undisciplined hothead by friend and foe alike.

Finally, it was the most decisive battle of the First English Civil War.

Parliament won a decisive victory - All 4000 Royalist infantry were captured, as was all their artillery. An additional 2000 were killed or wounded.Overall, the Royalists lost two thirds of their main field army.Further, the King's coach, complete with his private correspondence, which detailed negotiations to bring a Catholic Irish army over to England to fight for the king, was also captured.

Source(s):Calendar of State Papers Domestic 1645

Cromwell's letter to Parliament, detailing the battle

'The King's Cabinet Opened' 1645 pamphlet

Prince Rupert's Diary

Answer 2

first, the parlimentarians lined up behind a hill. they sent dragoons lead by Oakley behind the hedges, and they opened up a hail of musket fire into the royalist right. the royalist right charged the parlimentarian left, and a cavalry battle followed, and the parlimentarians were chased off the battlefield. then, the royalist infantry began to advance, and they got close to the hill when the parlimentarians showed themselves, and each side fired the initial round of musket fire. but, with them so close together, they had no time to reload and had to rush in and fight. But within an hour of the infantry battle, the centre was being beaten back, and now cavalry were charging Oliver Cromwell's "Iron Sides" who managed to turn the king's cavalry around. then, they ran to the rescue of the infantry, who were also being strengthened by reserves.

then, Oakley's dragoons emerged and ran to participate in the battle, and only one bluecoat regiment held their ground. they spiked attacking horsemen with pikes, and fired volly after volly of musket fire. but in the end, the attack proved too much for them. the parlimentarians poured fire into the ranks of blue, and they were cut to pieces. the Royalists were beaten.

Answer 3

The New Model Army was in pursuit of the Royalist Army.