Figure 1.--This is a painting by W.F. Yeames an Englisha artisti often given to histionics ans emotial appel. He was especuially interested in the English Civil War whivh was the background for his most famous painting, 'When did you lasr see your father?" Here he as toned things down a bit. We see Kings Charles I sons watching the Battle of Edgehill. Charles was so sure of victory that he brought his boys along to join in the fun. They are the future kings, Charles II and James II. Charles II seems to have learned from the expeience, James II did not. The man in the painting is none other than the famed doctor William Harvey who first described the body's circulation system in detail. His work was supported by both James the I and Charles I and was the court physcian to both. Apparently at Edgehill, Charles entruted the good doctor to look after the boys. Apparently Yeames did not think he did a very good job caring for the boys. We have only been about to find a small colorized version.
Parliament and the King were at an inpass. It was becoming clear that there was no political solution, it would have to be decided in the field of battle. The new Parliament would not support the King against the Scotts or the Irish. They understood that once the King possessedf a powerful army, they would be at his mercy. Charles moved to break the deadlock, in effect to stage a coup d'etat against Parliament, Most historians date the Civil War to The English Civil to when King Charles I raised an army to deal with the Irish rising There was a rising in Ireland which began a year earlier--the bloody Rebellion of 1641. Irish rebels has risen against the Protestant Settlers in rhe Ulster Planations--the Rebellion of 1641. That was not, howver, where the King planned to use his army. He planned to use it in England against Parliament,. And he raised the against the wishes of Parliament. Charles launched the War, raising his standard at Nottingham (August 1642). The Parlimentary forces were commanded by Robert Devereux (3rd Earl of Essex). The War began with many experienced military commanders supporting the King. Charles marched on London, the center of Parliament's support, in an effort to achieve a quick victory. The first engagement between Charles and the Parlimentarian army under Earl of Essex was at Edgehill. Charles decided to march on London to force a decisive confrontation with Parliament's main army, before it was well organized. The two armies unexpectedly found themselves close by at Edgehill (Octoiber 22). The next day, the Royalist army attacked from Edgehill to force a battle. The Parliamentarian artillery began a cannonade. Both armies were composed of inexperienced, poorly trained recruits. Many were still poorly armed. Soldiers on both sides, fled or fell out to loot enemy baggage. As a result,neither army was able to gain a decisive advantage. After the battle, the King resumed his march on London, but was not strong enough to overcome the defending militia before Essex's army could reinforce them. The inconclusive result of the Battle of Edgehill mean that neither the Royaklists or the Parlimenbtarians were able to sciore a quick victory. Leaving tgime to recruit, train, and arm their firces. The war woulkd last 4 years with bttle fouught the length and breath of England. As the battle was inconclusive. Charles continued his march on London, but was stopped at Turnham Green. Charles then withdrew to Oxford. There he established his headquarters and continued to operate from Oxford for the entire war.
