Battle of Ripple Field


The Battle of Ripple Field, fought on 13 April 1643, was an engagement in the First English Civil War. In the battle, a Royalist calvalry force led by Prince Maurice of the Palatinate routed Parliamentary cavalry and infantry forces led by Sir William Waller.

Prelude

After marching north from Tewkesbury, Waller tried to block the cavalry forces of Prince Maurice from the Royalist army by containing them on the western bank of the Severn River. Prince Maurice, however, successfully crossed the Severn at Upton-Upon-Severn and quickly proceeded south through Ryall to confront Waller's men who had taken a defensive position in Ripple Field.

Battle

An initial cavalry charge by Waller was easily repelled by the Royalists. The Parliamentarians then retreated into the lanes of the village of Ripple where they were overrun and routed. The Haselrigges Lobsters Regiment lost around 70% of their men defending the retreating Parliament army which was attempting to return to Tewkesbury. At the end, Parliamentary reinforcements checked the Royalists at Mythe Hill just north of Tewkesbury..

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