English Civil War: Waller Turned Back at Cropredy Bridge

June 29, 1644 - Parliamentarian forces are defeated at Cropredy Bridge. Advancing along the River Cherwell, the army of King Charles I (right) was pursued by Parliamentarian troops led by Sir William Waller. Marching on opposite sides of the river, neither wished to force a crossing under fire. Learning of the approach of 300 Parliamentarian dragoons, Charles' chief general, the Earl of Brentford, advanced troops to capture Cropredy and Hayes Bridges. Seeing the Royalist column become strung out, Waller launched two attacks with the goal of isolating and destroying Charles' rearguard. Sending Lt. Gen. John Middleton to assault Cropredy Bridge, Waller crossed Slat Mill Ford with 1,000 men. Both attacks were ultimately thrown back by Royalist troops. Defeated, Waller's army became wrecked through desertions and ceased to be a threat to the Royalist capital at Oxford.

Photograph Source: Public Domain