Edgehill from the keyole – The first clash of the English civil war

The Battle of EdgeHill of 22 October 1642 was the first great engagement of the English Civil War. It was fought in the open fields between the villages of Radway and Kineton in Warwickshire. At the end of the day, although neither side at Edgehill could claim a decisive victory, the result was that Charles “won” in so far as the road to London was now open to him. However, Charles did not take advantage of his opportunity. His natural caution asserted itself, and by the time his troops reached Reading, Essex had regained London and a fresh force of men prevented any further royalist advance. Charles never again had so clear an opportunity to take London as he did after Edgehill.
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