THE BATTLE OF

STOW-ON-THE-WOLD

21st March 1646.

An English Civil War scenario designed for use with WRG's DBR rule system, but easily adaptable.

BRERETON'S CAVALRY CHARGE HOME.

INTRODUCTION.

After the Battle of Naseby 1645, the Royalist cause looked very grim indeed. The Parliamentry armies quickly moved to crush pockets of Royalist resistance, while keeping King Charles penned up in Oxford. Through out the winter the Royalist forces planned what moves to make in the spring to redress the balance. In reality most of these plans where pure dreams. One idea was to fight their way to Kent, secure a port, and await the arrival of a French allied army. Pure fantasy ! On a more sensible basis plans were made to pull in the more exposed garrisons to rebuild a field army. At this time the Royalists in and around Oxford had almost no foot soldiers.

On the 3rd of February the issue was forced somewhat, as Chester fell to Parliament. This released Jacob, Lord Astley and his troops for other activities. Parliamentry pressure on the satelite garrisons of Oxford was also making it difficult for the King to remain there. So it was planned that the horse from Oxford should meet with Astley and his foot, to create a new field army. The plan was to meet in the Cotswolds.

The Parliamentry forces seemed to have been aware of this plan right from the start and made plans to intercept one or both parties. Astley and the King did not know of each others where abouts; and while looking elements of Astley's force bumped into a force commanded by Colonel Thomas Morgan. The Parliamentarians were better organised than the Royalists, and managed to call up reinforcements in the shape of Sir William Brereton's cavalry. Lord Astley knowing he could not evade pursuit decided to make a stand at Stow-on-the-Wold.

ROYALIST ARMY.

The Royalist army consited of about 700 horse and 2300 foot. These were virtually the last Royalist foot, not besieged in a castle somewhere. The army was commanded by Jacob, Lord Astley. While the cavalry wings were commanded by Sir Charles Lucas, and Sir William Vaughn.

PARLIAMENTRY ARMY.

The forces of Parliament consisted of 560 horse and 1400 foot commanded by Colonel Thomas Morgan, linked upto Sir William Brereton's cavalry force of 850 horse. Morgan's foot was commanded by Colonel John Birch.

SCENARIO RULES.

Both sides during the battle attached musketeers to their cavalry wings. The Royalists can move upto 3 such elements, and the Parliamentarians can move two. Otherwise troops must deploy as per the map. As this appears to have been quite a hard fought contest I adapted the break points of the armies. The Royalists run away after losing 10 elements, and the Parliamentarians after losing 13 elements.

A Royalist victory is achieved if they crush Morgan's and Brereton's forces; or exit 2/3rds of their army off the road and away. Parliament wins by crushing the Royalists and stopping them retreating.

OPTIONAL RULES.

Both sides were trying to link up with reinforcements before fighting the battle. As a what if add the following to both sides. The Royalist break point becomes 16, and Parliaments also 16.

HISTORICAL OUTCOME.

The Parliamentarians sent a mixed forse of horse and musketeers under Morgan up the slope to attack Lucas' cavalry, but they were beaten back; and for a time it looked as if the Royalist might try to slip away. But Brereton's superior numbers, and supported by shot; crushed Vaughn's horse. Then broke into the Royalist infantry. This was forced back into Stow where it surrendered in the market place. The Royalist lost 200 dead and had 1700 men taken prisoner. King Charles hope of forming a last field army was dead, and the first civil war was almost over.