Editing Battle of Naseby (section)

==Background==
In July 1644, a [[Roundhead|Parliamentarian]] force under Sir [[Thomas Fairfax]] and [[Oliver Cromwell]] secured control of [[Northern England]] by victory at [[Battle of Marston Moor|Marston Moor]]. However, this was offset first by defeat at [[Battle of Lostwithiel|Lostwithiel]] in September, then lack of decisiveness at the [[Second Battle of Newbury]] in October. The two commanders involved, [[Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex|Essex]] and [[Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester|Manchester]], were accused by many in [[Parliament of England|Parliament]] of lacking commitment, a group that included moderates like Sir [[William Waller]] as well as radicals like Cromwell.{{sfn|Cotton|1975|p=212}}

In December, [[Henry Vane the Younger|Sir Henry Vane]] introduced the [[Self-denying Ordinance]], requiring any military officers to resign from Parliament. As members of the [[House of Lords]], Manchester and Essex were automatically removed since unlike [[Members of Parliament|MPs]] they could not resign their titles, although they could be re-appointed, 'if Parliament approved.'{{sfn|Wedgwood|1958|pp=398–399}} It also led to the creation of the [[New Model Army]], a centralised, professional force. Moderates Fairfax and [[Philip Skippon]] were appointed Commander-in-Chief and head of the infantry, respectively; Cromwell remained an MP but was given command of the cavalry on a 'temporary' three-month commission, constantly renewed.{{sfn|Royle|2004|p=319}}

{{Location map many|England|caption = Key locations 1644 to 1645|relief=yes|border = black| width = 350| float = left
|label = Chester|pos=right|coordinates={{coord|53|11|N|2|53|W}}
|label2 = Marston Moor|pos2=top|coordinates2={{coord|53|58|N|1|16|W}}
|label4 = Daventry|pos4= left|coordinates4={{coord|52|26|N|1|16|W}}
|label5 = Taunton|pos5=left|coordinates5={{coord|51|01|N|3|7|W}}
|label6 = Naseby|pos6=right|coordinates6={{coord|52|25|N|1|00|W}}
|label10 = Newark|pos10=right|coordinates10={{coord|53|04|N|0|49|W}}
|label12 = Oxford|pos12=right|coordinates12={{coord|51|45|N|1|16|W}}
|label16 = Lostwithiel|pos16=left|coordinates16={{coord|50|25|N|4|40|W}}
|label17 = Leicester|pos17=left|coordinates17={{coord|52|38|N|1|08|W}}
|label20 = London |pos20= bottom|coordinates20={{coord|51|30|N|0|8|W}}
|label21 = Newbury|pos21=left|coordinates21={{coord|51|24|N|1|20|W}}
}}

At the outset of 1645, the Royalist high command was divided on strategy. [[Prince Rupert of the Rhine]], recently appointed senior commander, wanted to link up with his brother [[Maurice of the Palatinate|Prince Maurice]] at [[Chester]] and retake the north, a key source of recruits and supplies. A faction headed by [[George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol|Lord Digby]] considered the New Model a threat to their capital at [[Oxford]], while a third group preferred to consolidate control of the [[West Country]]. On 30 April, Fairfax marched west to relieve the Parliamentarian stronghold of [[Taunton]]; [[George Goring, Lord Goring|Lord Goring]] was despatched with 3,000 cavalry to support the [[Siege of Taunton]], while the main Royalist field army of 8,600 men under [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and Prince Rupert moved north.{{Sfn|Royle|2004|p=323}}

Concerned by this threat, Parliament's [[Committee of Both Kingdoms]] ordered Fairfax to change his plans and [[Siege of Oxford|besiege Oxford]].{{sfn|Rogers|1968|p=226}} Although he made little progress, by the end of May the town was running short of provisions and to relieve the pressure, the Royalists stormed the Parliamentarian-held town of [[Leicester]] on 31 May, allegedly killing over 700 soldiers and civilians.{{Sfn|Royle|2004|p=325}} Alarmed by this, Parliament instructed Fairfax to abandon the siege and on 5 June he marched north to engage the Royalist army. Unlike Prince Rupert who had been beaten by Fairfax and Cromwell the previous summer, Digby and Charles dismissed the fighting capabilities of the New Model. Despite being seriously outnumbered, they were eager for battle; messages were sent ordering Goring to rejoin them, but he refused to leave the West Country.{{Sfn|Royle|2004|p=326}}

On 12 June, the Royalists were alerted to the presence of the New Model when Parliamentarian patrols clashed with their outposts near [[Daventry]].{{sfn|Rogers|1968|p=229}} The next day, Fairfax was reinforced by Cromwell's cavalry and troops from the [[Eastern Association]] under [[Edward Rossiter]], bringing his numbers up to 14,000.{{Sfn|Royle|2004|p=326}} Although Prince Rupert favoured withdrawing, Digby convinced Charles that retreat would be bad for morale and they decided to stand and fight.{{Sfn|Royle|2004|p=327}}