English Civil War...Starting Positions

[fairfax]

Hi I wonder if someone can help me. I have been looking all over the Internet for information regarding the Start of the English Civil War.

In particular which towns each faction controlled, or had influence. I have looked at several maps none don't seem to be very clear. Why I am eager to know is because I want to start a Campaign of my own, using blocks on a map and then resolving the battles using Pike and Shot.

Looking at the maps it would seem the Royalists controlled all the South West, Wales, and much of Northern England, While Parliament were strong in the South East and the Midlands, and parts of Yorkshire, but I'm sure each Parliament may of had some influence in the South West, as the Royalist's held Chichester, and perhaps other places in the South East ? Anyway any information would be much appreciated.....Thanks for reading.

[Snakebite10]

Hey,

I'm currently researching the English Civil War (or Revolution) for my MA and I would be glad to offer some help


The maps that you would have looked at show the area of influence each faction had, so Royalists were Wales, South West and Northern England, whilst Parliament was London, South East and Midlands. However, this doesn't mean that there were no Parliamentarians in the south west for example, Oxford which was Charles I capital during the war was actually very heavily
Parliamentarian, Like wise Kings Lynn in the Parliamentarian area was Royalist. The only place that was firmly Parliamentarian was London.

Many counties actually declared themselves neutral, but the war soon engulfed the whole country, which towns split on their allegiances, brothers against brothers and so forth. however, The South East do rather stay out of it, only really the Battle of Maidstone in the Second Civil War is of any real note!

The first major battle of the civil war was at Edge Hill, where Lord Essex fought against the King with the battle ending in Charles favour, if only he had taken advantage of his victory!

I hope this is of some help, any further questions I will try and be as much help as I can

Thanks

[fairfax]

Thanks for getting back, I was unaware Kings Lynn was Royalist. I have been looking quite al o lot on the BCW Website and this gives a lot of information. Although looking at different maps these tend to show large swathes of the country supporting one faction or the other. And like you say A good proportion of the population tried to stay neutral.
I must confess I know very little about the Civil Wars, although I learn a little each day. I can put that down to playing a computer game. Like I said I just want to do my own campaign, at my own pace, but I would at least like to know which Towns were controlled by whom..I hate starting off on the wrong foot.
Tomorrow I will be going on holiday, so if you post any more interesting snippets, I’m not being rude, just “off line for ten days”.
Thanks again, I did think there would have been a list or something.....Goodness knows I have searched and searched to no avail.........Thanks again.

[Snakebite10]

Hey again,

I don't know if you have seen this before but the link below covers all the battles in the war. Some key places such as Newcastle was Royalist, as were the towns and villages in the Wolds. I think Leicester was Parliament. Newbury saw two big battles and the castle nearby was certainly royalist (doddington castle) I believe that all or at least most of the ports belonged to the Parliamentarians as the fleet declared itself for Parliament.
http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resour ... civil-war/


I will keep a look out and report if I find anything myself!