The English Civil Wars were fought between King and Parliament: Royalists and Parliamentarians. For 9 years, from 1642 to 1651, these wars affected large parts of Britain. It was particularly significant in Worcester as both the first skirmish and last battle of the wars took place here, with some of the action taking place on Powick Hams.
“Tell your wives and children you have been to Worcester, where England’s sorrow began and where they were happily ended” Hugh Peters, Puritan preacher.
Battle of Powick Bridge – 23rd Sept 1642
Watch the video to hear how the first battle of the Civil Wars began. Filmed at Powick Bridge and narrated by Paul Hudson (Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service).
Prince Rupert. Used under Creative Commons
After a summer of gathering forces the armies began moving. A Royalist force arrived in Worcester escorting money, followed by an advance of the Parliamentary army, who went to Powick Bridge to stop the Royalists escaping eastwards. The King sent Prince Rupert with 1,000 men to protect the money, and they set up just north of Powick Bridge.
The Parliamentarian army advanced over Powick Bridge. Shot at by dragoons from the hedges the army advanced, but whilst only half the army was set up Prince Rupert charged. After some fighting the Parliamentarians retreated over Powick Bridge and fled back to Pershore. Prince Rupert continued to Worcester and then Shrewsbury with the money.
The Civil War continued for the next few years, with Worcester controlled by the Royalists for most of this time. In 1646, as the First Civil War came to an end, Worcester was surrounded by a Parliamentarian army. Some of the soldiers may have camped around Powick Hams. The city surrendered on 23rd July 1646.
Civil war battle scene, by Steve Rigby
Battle of Worcester – 3rd Sept 1651
How did the final battle of the civil wars unfold? Watch the video above to find out more. Filmed at Powick Bridge and narrated by Paul Hudson (Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service).
After Charles I died in 1649, his son Prince Charles proclaimed himself King and raised an army in Scotland. He marched south to claim the crown, hoping that people would support him. He came to Worcester on the 23rd August 1651. With three Parliamentarian armies approaching, Charles prepared to make a stand. Charles had 12,000 men and was heavily outnumbered by the 28,000 commanded by Oliver Cromwell.
Charles II, published in Boscobel 1660
To blockade the Royalists, a Parliamentary force crossed the river at Upton and advanced up toward Worcester. Cromwell order a bridge of boats to be constructed so his men could cross the Teme and Severn rivers just south of the city.
On the 3rd September, Cromwell ordered the attack on Worcester. The army at Upton advanced towards Powick, facing resistance from Royalist dragoons using the hedges as cover. At the same time Cromwell sent another group over the bridge of boats to support them. The Royalists were slowly pushed back to the Teme and beyond, and another Parliamentarian force came from the west to help encircle the Royalists. Artillery was located on a rise on the east of the Severn, firing down onto Wick fields. The Royalist dragoons, using hedges as cover, were forced back by the advancing army and fierce fighting took place, until the Royalists retreated to Worcester.
Despite a Royalist counter-attack they were doomed. Fort Royal was captured by the Parliamentarians and its guns were turned on the city, Sidbury Gate (by The Commandery) was then stormed and Worcester fell. Charles managed to escape just in time. Part of The Monarch’s way, which commemorates his escape to the south coast then to France, goes through Powick Hams. 3,000 Royalist soldiers died during the battle and many more were taken prisoner. There were no more serious armed uprisings and the Civil Wars ended. In 1658 Cromwell died, and in 1660 Charles II returned to England to be proclaimed King.
Click on the side arrows to move left or right through the images. Hover over or tap on an image to pause and bring up the image title. Original documents are held by Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service under the references listed below.
Images
- Order from Charles II to the Constables of Salwarpe to supply men, dated 24th August 1651 (WAAS Ref: 850 Salwarpe, BA 8650/8 (iii))
- 1651 map of Worcester (WAAS Ref: 899:25, BA372/1)
- Pamphlet detailing the Battle of Worcester, published just days afterwards on 8th September 1651. (WAAS Ref: BA3669/2(vi))
- Oliver Cromwell portrait