A Tale of Two Commanders Arguably the two of the most famous figures of the English Civil Wars, Oliver Cromwell and Prince Rupert both had success as cavalry commanders on their battlefield, but their strategies were considerably different. 📷: Melita Green - ThreadSky

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englishcivilwar.bsky.social • 7 days ago

A Tale of Two Commanders

Arguably the two of the most famous figures of the English Civil Wars, Oliver Cromwell and Prince Rupert both had success as cavalry commanders on their battlefield, but their strategies were considerably different.

📷: Melita Green

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englishcivilwar.bsky.social•7 days ago

A lot of the image of dashing cavaliers and their daring bravery stems from Prince Rupert’s leadership. Despite his young age, Rupert was a veteran of wars in Europe, and brought his experience to the cause of his uncle, King Charles.

englishcivilwar.bsky.social•7 days ago

Rupert’s approach was to punch through an enemy’s force and scatter them. It would work numerous times, but it had a significant flaw. With the enemy scattered, Rupert’s men would not regroup to return to the fighting, instead being lured by easy plunder in lightly guarded baggage trains.

englishcivilwar.bsky.social•7 days ago

Cromwell, on the other hand, stressed discipline and order in his cavalry, known as the Ironsides. They would charge an enemy, rout them, and then organise themselves to charge again.

englishcivilwar.bsky.social•7 days ago

This would prove decisive at the Battle of Naseby, as Cromwell’s cavalry won the battle for Parliament, returning to the fighting whereas Rupert’s men had once again been distracted by fortune.

unclebeard1978.bsky.social•7 days ago

And not far from Marston Moor I saw the ghost of a chap just like the one on the left… and I grew up on a street named after Prince Rupert!

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