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Worcester September 3, 1651
Strategic Context
England is the site of nearly a decade of bloody internal conflict primarily between the Parliamentarians, supporters of the new Republic government, and the Loyalists, loyal to the monarchy. In July of 1650, Scottish factions invite Charles II to be crowned as king, uniting the various Scottish sides into one Loyalist threat to the new English Republic. This prompts Parliamentarian leader Oliver Cromwell to invade Scotland. David Leslie commands the Loyalists originally, resorting to scorched-earth tactics but is eventually forced to give battle and defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar in September. Cromwell then deliberately leaves the road to London open to lure the remaining Loyalist forces into a trap. Leslie is aghast when Charles assumes command and leads the army towards London in the hopes of a quick seizure of power. Cromwell, delighted, turns about and rapidly marches to face Charles in battle at Worcester.
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Stakes
+ A Parliamentarian victory would destroy the only Loyalist field army in England, leaving Scotland defenceless.
+ A Loyalist victory would facilitate the capture of London and collapse of the new Republic government, greatly complicating the political situation in England.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

2. Worcester, 1651 Strength Parliamentarians Well Loyalists Well
Oliver Cromwell
Charles II of Scotland
31,000
16,000
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

3. England c. 1645

4. Parliamentarians Loyalists
The battlefield is centered on Worcester, a hastily fortified town, and the suburb of St John’s across the river. The battlefield is divided into three parts by the River Severn running north-south and the River Teme running west off of it. Both rivers are wide, rapid, and crossable only by boat or bridge. The only bridges are Worcester Bridge and Upston Bridge (off-map to the south) across the Severn, and Powick Bridge across the Teme. The battlefield is relatively flat and open with the exception of Perry Wood and Red Hill to the east. Key terrain consists of the bridges, which control access to different parts of the battlespace.
500m
1km
Parliamentarians
(Cromwell)
Red Hill
Perry Wood
Worcester
River Severn
Worcester Bridge
River Teme
St. John’s
Powick Bridge
Loyalists
(Charles)

5. (Charles II of Scotland)
Charles deploys his army in two separate wings. Montgomery commands the right wing west of the River Severn, while Charles himself commands the left wing east of the river in front of Worcester. A disgruntled Leslie also commands a cavalry force north of the city but will likely not engage in the battle. Charles plans to use his interior lines to defend natural features using minimal forces while concentrating for a decisive attack somewhere else. Cromwell deploys his army in a wide arc around Charles’ position, the right wing commanded by himself and the left wing commanded by Fleetwood. Cromwell plans to cross the River Teme and outflank Charles’ position.
Cromwell uses his militia to storm the southeastern cathedral of Worcester while the rest of his force encircles the city. Fleetwood for his part encircles St. John’s and then blocks the bridge out of Worcester. Loyalist forces defending this bridge surrender without a fight. Loyalist forces within Worcester panic as street combat ensues, fleeing the city by the northern route before it is closed. The majority surrender while Leslie simply abandons the battlefield.
Cromwell marches forces back to his right wing before it dissolves into the woods and hills. Charles is outflanked but withdraws in good order to Worcester, allowing the Parliamentarians on his extreme left to threaten any further escape. West of the River Severn, Fleetwood continues to advance, forcing the Loyalists into St. John’s and towards Worcester.
Cromwell’s reinforcements allow Fleetwood to break out of the bridgehead and drive the opposing Loyalist forces back. The Loyalist forces on Montgomery’s right wing see that their flank is exposed and flee their positions. Charles sees his right wing in trouble, albeit at the cost of many forces from Cromwell’s own right wing. Charles suddenly launches a full-scale attack against Cromwell’s weakened right wing defending Perry Wood and Red Hill; these forces include untried militia and the line is driven back sharply. Leslie’s cavalry meanwhile remains stationary.
Parliamentarian forces flood across the bridges of boats while Fleetwood renews the attack against Ponwick Bridge. The Loyalists defend their ground fiercely and initially repulse both attacks until Cromwell sends reinforcements from his right wing to force an advance across the Severn. The Loyalist forces on Montgomery’s left wing are attacked on two sides and withdraw in good order.
Fleetwood attacks all along the River Teme and against Ponwick Bridge while boats are hauled into both rivers near where they meet to act as bridges. Fleetwood throws a “forlorn hope” of musketeers across the River Teme. Cromwell sends significant forces to this location to cross the River Severn when the bridge is complete.
500m
1km
Parliamentarians
(Cromwell)
Red Hill
Landmarks
Perry Wood
Cromwell
Parliamentarians Loyalists
Infantry Infantry
Cavalry Cavalry
Militia
Bridge of boats
Worcester
Charles
Charles
River Severn
Worcester Bridge
Leslie
River Teme
St. John’s
Fleetwood
Montgomery
Montgomery
Loyalists
(Charles II of Scotland)
16,000
Parliamentarians
(Oliver Cromwell)
31,000
Symbol guide
Powick Bridge
Loyalists
(Charles)

6. Worcester, 1651 Casualties & Aftermath
Parliamentarians:
Loyalists:
>200 or 1%
13,000 or
81%
A number of Loyalist fortresses held out until May of the next year but the English Civil Wars were effectively ended by this battle, fittingly in the same place they began in Miraculously, Charles escaped the defeat and fled to France.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009

7. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2009